Mortgages
Home Renovation ROI Calculator
Almost no renovation returns more than it costs — the useful question is how much of it you get back. A project that recoups 70% costs you 30 cents on the dollar to enjoy, which is a perfectly good reason to do it, as long as you knew.
Ask an agent what it would add to your sale price — not what it cost.
Share of cost recouped
72%
The rest is what you pay for the enjoyment.
- Net cost to you
- $7,000
- Project cost
- $25,000
- Value added
- $18,000
How this calculator works
Recouped share = value added ÷ project cost. Net cost = project cost − value added; a negative net cost means the project adds more than it consumed.
Both figures are yours to supply, since value added is local and specific. Nothing here accounts for the enjoyment of the improvement, ongoing maintenance, or property tax reassessment, which can rise after significant work.
Try an example
Frequently asked questions
Which renovations recoup the most?
Industry cost-versus-value surveys consistently put unglamorous exterior work at the top — garage door replacement, entry doors, siding, and minor kitchen refreshes often recoup 70–100%. Full kitchen and bathroom remodels, additions, and anything highly personalised tend to return considerably less.
Why do most projects recoup less than 100%?
Because buyers pay for the house, not the invoice. Labour, permits, and your contractor's margin are real costs that leave no trace in an appraisal. Renovations also start ageing immediately, so a kitchen finished five years before you sell is no longer new to the buyer.
Should I renovate before selling?
Usually only the cheap, high-signal work: paint, fixing what is broken, cleaning up the exterior, decluttering. Large projects rarely return their cost on a short timeline, and buyers often prefer to choose their own finishes. If you are staying for years, enjoyment is the better justification.
How do I estimate the value added?
Ask a local agent what comparable homes with and without the feature actually sell for — the gap is your figure. Do not use the project cost as a proxy; that is the assumption this calculator exists to test.
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Disclaimer: DayCents provides this calculator for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — they are not financial advice, a quote, or an offer of credit. Consult a qualified financial professional before making major money decisions.