Updates That Pay Off: Seattle Home Improvements with the Best ROI

With more time spent around the house during the pandemic, did you start thinking about home improvements you could make? Are you spending time right now trying to figure out which projects may be more worth your while than others?

If so, read on for information and insights on Seattle home improvements with the best ROI.

This information is from remodeling.com's Cost vs. Value Report, which they compile each year. The report compares the cost of nearly two dozen home improvement projects in 101 U.S. markets with the likely resale value those projects will have. This hyper-local data is really helpful when you’re trying to prioritize home improvements.

Top 6 Seattle Home Improvements with the Best ROI

In addition to comparing data at the national level, the Cost vs. Value Report also includes nine regional averages and a breakdown by city, including Seattle.

So, how do home improvement projects stack up against each other in the Seattle area? Here are the six that rank highest based on how much of the cost you’ll recoup from the improvement.

#1 Manufactured Stone Veneer

When you get a solid return on a remodeling project's cost, that is a wonderful thing. If the remodel pays for itself—like this one, which claims the top spot for Seattle home improvements with the best ROI—that’s even better. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, you might even make a profit.

That level of return assumes that you install the stone veneer on the front of your home and that the style you choose suits your home and fits in with the neighborhood. The project’s average cost assumes replacement of a portion (300 square feet on average) of vinyl siding on your home with manufactured stone veneer.

Average cost: $10,000

Average resale value: $11,852

Cost recouped: 118.5%

#2 Garage Door Replacement

Ranking second among Seattle home improvements with the best ROI, a new garage door is also likely to return more than you spend on it. 

How budget-friendly is this project? In the Seattle area, the cost is around $3,900 if you reuse your current opener and install a two-car, four-section door on new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks.  

Average cost: $3,882

Average resale value: $4,136

Cost recouped: 106.6%

#3 Wooden Deck Addition

If you’re thinking about building a deck, you are likely excited to see that this addition is among the Seattle home improvements with the best ROI. (Plus, this is a great pandemic project.)

That makes good sense if you think about it. The benefits you reap by having a deck are the same ones that have broad appeal to buyers. And you can expect to get a little over 95% of this job’s cost back when you sell, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. That’s a pretty great return!

Keep in mind that cost can vary widely based on the deck’s size, design, and wood type. For $19,000, you can expect a simple, 16x20-foot pressure-treated wood deck with railings, a built-in bench, and a planter. 

Average cost: $18,888

Average resale value: $17,964

Cost recouped: 95.1%

#4 Siding Replacement

Be aware that while this project made the top 6 list of Seattle home improvements with the best ROI, it is one of the bigger ticket improvements you’ll tackle. Depending on the square footage, it can get pricey. For an average Seattle home, 1,250 square feet of new fiber-cement siding and factory trim will cost you upwards of $20,000.

But consider this: You can get back almost every dollar you spend.  

You also get to enjoy energy savings, minimal maintenance, and enhanced curb appeal—all of which make great selling points whenever you decide to put your home on the market. 

Average cost: $20,698

Average resale value: $19,646

Cost recouped: 94.9%

#5 New Vinyl Windows

With an 89.5% return, window replacement lands in the number five spot. This means that five of the six Seattle home improvements with the best ROI are updates to your home’s exterior. You can’t beat curb appeal, apparently.

Like other exterior projects, replacing your old windows with high-quality, custom color-matched vinyl windows can significantly boost curb appeal. But other factors positively impact the return too. Vinyl windows can reduce energy bills and the need for upkeep.

All these attributes will help draw prospective buyers to your home, whether you put it up for sale shortly after the update or a few years down the road.

In estimating the price tag for your home, note that the average cost is for 10 3x5-foot windows.

Average cost: $19,501

Average resale value: $17,462

Cost recouped: 89.5%

#6 Minor Kitchen Remodel

You may be surprised to see a minor kitchen remodel versus a major kitchen update on the list of Seattle home improvements with the best ROI. But the data shows that even a minor kitchen remodel can yield a major ROI—about 89%. In fact, minor remodels are often more cost-effective than the big gut jobs.

For a minor remodel, think along the lines of adding a fresh coat of paint and refacing cabinets, and updating hardware versus replacing the cabinetry. As for appliances, you could swap out your cooktop/range and fridge for newer, more energy-efficient models. Upgrade laminate countertops, and update your sink, faucet, and flooring. Your kitchen will look a whole lot better at a fraction of the cost of a complete renovation.

Average cost: $26,234

Average resale value: $23,382

Cost recouped: 89.1%

To check out the ROIs for all the other projects, access the full report for Seattle on Remodeling Magazine’s website. Chances are, you’ll find other projects you may be considering that did not make this list. It always pays to be well-informed.

Speaking of being well-informed, if you’re not sure about an improvement to your specific home, get in touch with our team so we can advise you about what’s happening in your specific neighborhood when it comes to improvements.