Remodeling - Cost vs. Value Report

Remodeling magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report found that seven out of the top 11 projects that paid off the most at resale were replacement projects, said Sal Alfano, editorial director for the magazine. That includes window and siding replacements.

A midrange wood window replacement, which recovers an average 81.2% of the cost at resale;
A midrange siding replacement recovers 83.2% of the cost at resale;
An upscale fiber-cement siding replacement recovers 88.1% of its cost;
A midrange wood deck addition recovers 85.4% at resale.

In contrast, projects paying off less include:

A midrange home-office remodel, which recovers an average 57% of the cost at resale;
A midrange sunroom addition recovers 59.1%;
A midrange garage addition recovers 69.5% of its cost, while an upscale garage addition recovers about 64.6% of its cost;
A midrange attic bedroom remodel recovers 76.6% at resale.
National, regional and city data can be viewed at the magazine's Web site