The Numbers Are In! 2014’s Remodeling Projects With the Highest Cost Recouped in Kansas City

Last year, I published a blog titled The Top 10 Remodeling Projects with the Highest Cost Recouped in Kansas City that covered the home remodeling projects that gave homeowners the highest rate of return in 2013. Now that 2013 has come and gone, it’s time to see which remodeling projects will give you the best return on investment in 2014!

According to Remodeling, the top 10 remodeling projects with the highest cost recouped in Kansas City this year are:

     1.  Garage Door Replacement:

Remove and dispose of existing 16x7-foot garage door and tracks. Install new 4-section garage door on new galvanized steel tracks; reuse existing motorized opener. New door is uninsulated, single-layer, embossed steel with two coats of baked-on paint, galvanized steel hinges, and nylon rollers. 10-year limited warranty.

Cost: $1,604
Resale value: $1,233
Cost recouped: 77.0%

2.  Minor Kitchen Remodel:

In a functional but dated 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops, leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace wall oven and cooktop with new energy-efficient models. Replace laminate countertops; install midpriced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.

Cost: $19,854
 Resale value: $14,941
Cost recouped: 75.3%

3.  Entry Door Replacement (Steel):

Remove existing 3-0/6-8 entry door and jambs and replace with new 20-gauge steel unit, including clear dual-pane half-glass panel, jambs, and aluminum threshold with composite stop. Door is factory finished with same color both sides. Exterior brick-mold and 2.5-inch interior colonial or ranch casings in poplar or equal prefinished to match door color. Replace existing lockset with new bored-lock in brass or antique-brass finish.

Cost: $1,240
Resale value: $837
Cost recouped: 67.5%

4.  Deck Addition (Wood):

Add a 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated joists supported by 4x4 posts anchored to concrete piers. Install pressure-treated deck boards in a simple linear pattern. Include a built-in bench and planter of the same decking material. Include stairs, assuming three steps to grade. Provide a complete railing system using pressure-treated wood posts, railings, and balusters.

Cost: $10,311
Resale value: $6,926
Cost recouped: 67.2%

5.  Bathroom Remodel:

Update an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom. Replace all fixtures to include 30-by-60-inch porcelain-on-steel tub with 4-by-4-inch ceramic tile surround; new single-lever temperature and pressure-balanced shower control; standard white toilet; solid-surface vanity counter with integral sink; recessed medicine cabinet with light; ceramic tile floor; vinyl wallpaper.

Cost: $17,439

Resale value: $11,444

Cost recouped: 65.6%

6.  Two-story Addition:

Add a first-floor family room and a second-floor bedroom with full bathroom in a 24-by-16-foot two-story wing over a crawlspace. Add new HVAC system to handle addition; electrical wiring to code.

Family room: Include a prefabricated gas fireplace; 11 3-by-5-foot double-hung insulated clad-wood windows; an atrium-style exterior door; carpeted floors; painted drywall on walls and ceiling; and painted trim.

Bathroom: 5 by 8 feet. Include a one-piece fiberglass tub/shower unit; standard white toilet; wood vanity with solid-surface countertop; resilient vinyl flooring; and mirrored medicine cabinet with built-in light strip; papered walls; and painted trim; exhaust fan. Bedroom: Include walk-in closet/dressing area; carpet; painted walls, ceiling, and trim; general and spot lighting.

Cost: $165,580
Resale value: $106,054
Cost recouped: 64.1%

7.  Deck Addition (Composite):

Add a 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated joists supported by 4x4 posts anchored to concrete piers. Install composite deck material in a simple linear pattern. Include a built-in bench and planter of the same decking material. Include stairs, assuming three steps to grade. Provide a complete railing using a matching system made of the same composite as the decking material.

Cost: $16,291
Resale value: $10,297
Cost recouped: 63.2%

8.  Siding Replacement (Vinyl):

Replace 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new vinyl siding, including all trim.

Cost: $12,411
Resale value: $7,803
Cost recouped: 62.9%

9.  Major Kitchen Remodel:

Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with a functional layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island; laminate countertops; and standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.

Cost: $57,520
Resale value: $36,044
Cost recouped: 62.7%

10.  Attic Bedroom:

Convert unfinished attic space to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower. Include a 15-foot shed dormer, four new windows, and closet space under the eaves. Insulate and finish ceiling and walls. Carpet floor. Extend existing HVAC to new space; provide electrical wiring and lighting to code. Retain existing stairs, but add rail and baluster around stairwell.

Cost: $53,696
Resale value: $32,371
Cost recouped: 60.3%

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