09/25/2026
WHEN YOU PUT MONEY INTO YOUR HOME… HOW MUCH OF IT CAN COME BACK?
Home improvements don't always just cost money. Some can lower operating costs, some protect the investment you already have, and some can return a surprisingly large portion of their cost when it’s eventually time to sell.
And here in the U.P., with another winter headed our way, efficiency and protecting the outside of the house matter just as much as making the inside look good.
🔨 INSULATION & AIR SEALING
ENERGY STAR estimates that properly air sealing and insulating a typical existing home can save an average of about 15% on heating and cooling costs — roughly 11% of total energy costs.
🔨 SIDING
According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value report for our East North Central region, fiber-cement siding averaged about 101% cost recouped, while vinyl siding averaged about 80%.
🔨 WINDOWS
Vinyl replacement windows averaged about 81% cost recouped in our region, with wood replacement windows around 70%. New windows can also help with drafts, comfort and the overall building envelope.
🔨 EXTERIOR DOORS
Here's an interesting one: a steel entry-door replacement averaged about 235% cost recouped regionally in the 2025 study. That's not a promise that a $2,000 door magically adds $4,700 to every house — it's an estimate of how that project affected resale value across the study.
🔨 ROOFING
An asphalt-shingle roof replacement averaged about 69% cost recouped in our region. But a roof also does something an ROI percentage doesn't fully capture: it protects everything underneath it.
🔨 DECKS
A wood deck addition averaged roughly 93% cost recouped in our region, while composite came in around 88%.
🔨 BASEMENT / ADDITIONAL LIVING SPACE
A basement remodel averaged roughly 79% cost recouped regionally. Turning unused space into finished, functional space can also change how useful the entire house is to your family.
🔨 FLOORING, PAINT & TRIM
These are harder to put one honest percentage on because the major regional studies don't track every paint job, flooring replacement or trim upgrade as an identical standalone project. But they can make a huge difference in how clean, current and well-maintained a home feels — without necessarily doing a major renovation.
🔨 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & INTERIOR RENOVATIONS
Bigger isn't automatically better when resale is the goal. The 2025 regional Cost vs. Value data actually shows that a midrange minor kitchen remodel averaged about 101% cost recouped — a good reminder that sometimes updating what you already have makes more financial sense than tearing everything apart.
🔨 GARAGES & ADDITIONS
We don't like throwing a blanket ROI percentage on these. A new garage or addition can add extremely useful square footage, storage and buyer appeal, but the return depends heavily on the property, size, construction, location and local market.
The point isn't that every renovation makes you money.
The right improvements can do several jobs at once:
Lower energy costs
Protect the house you already own
Make it more comfortable and enjoyable today
Improve curb appeal
Update tired interior spaces
And potentially leave more value behind when it's eventually time to sell
Sometimes the smartest project isn't the biggest one — it's figuring out where your money will do the most good.
If you've got a list and aren't sure where to start, give us a call. We can take a look, talk through the options and help prioritize what makes sense for your home and budget.
U.P. Handyman
Licensed & Insured
📞 906-361-7463
Because spending money on your house hurts a little less when the house actually does something with it.
