12 home improvement projects that practically pay for themselves

These smart upgrades pay off big in resale value and enjoyment of your home.

“For an immediate face-lift, update your light fixtures,” says Kim Howard, Realtor and co-founder of Howard Homes Chicago. Not only do buyers love the cohesive flow new lighting gives the home, but Howard also says new lighting easily increases the value of the home by 1 to 2 percent.

“Replacing your cabinets is a huge cost that is not completely necessary if the cabinets are less than ten years old, functional, and made from a high-quality wood,” says John Milligan, Product Development Manager at N-Hance Wood Refinishing. Refinishing can cost around $3,000 to $8,000 and can potentially bump up the value of your home between 3 and 7 percent.

A fresh coat of paint instantly updates and transforms the entire interior of your home, and when you consider the relatively low cost of paint, it’s about the biggest bang for your buck you can get. “Greys are back in vogue, and create a neutral palette that lets your decor really pop,” says Steve Frellick, licensed contractor and founder/broker of Yonder Luxury Vacation Rentals.

Windows that stick or are warped or drafty aren’t doing your comfort level or your budget any favours. According to a 2018 Cost vs. Value report on the US website Remodeling, vinyl replacements windows average just under $16,000 for ten 150cm x 90cm double-hung windows and have a resale value near $12,000. Plus, you’ll reap even more savings from your energy bill. Replacing the same number of wood windows is a bit pricier at around $19,000 with a resale value of approximately $13,500.

Follow these tips to make your home more energy efficient.

If you’re lucky, your wall-to-wall carpet will last about ten years. Well-maintained hardwood floors, on the other hand, last for at least 25 years. “Hardwood floors have a massive appeal and add an extreme level of warmth and comfort in your home and a definite return on your investment,” says Frellick. In fact, a recent Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors showed that a whopping 91 percent of the cost is recovered.

Be sure to avoid these DIY errors.

“It never hurts to put money into a tasteful bathroom remodel,” says Realtor Sam McLennan from Century 21 McLennan & Company. “Replacing the toilet, vanity, light fixtures, and mirror can add a new look and feel for under $3,000. For a few hundred dollars more, consider coating a dated fibreglass tub with a white epoxy and adding a curved shower rod and curtain to freshen the decor. McLennan says even a mini bathroom remodel can amp the increase in resale value 5 to 10 percent.

While you’re in the most popular room of the house, here is the best way to clean it.

Do you have the right protection for your DIY projects? Find out here.

New cladding is like a facelift for the house, resulting in enhanced curb appeal. But replacing worn out cladding isn’t just about looks: damaged cladding creates moisture and mould, and it leaves insulation exposed, causing your heating and cooling bills to skyrocket.

Dragging out and moving sprinklers every week is not only time-consuming; it adds to your water bill. A better idea? Drip irrigation. “This puts water where plants need it – at the root zone – and it uses much less water over time, as the emitters are placed right near the plants and drip at a reduced rate,” says plant merchant Tyler Davis. It’s easy to install, and will pay for itself in a short time with water savings, he adds. A green and well-manicured lawn can add $2,000 to $7,000 to the resale value of your home.

A freshly painted front door and garage are the main components of the all-important first impression, notes Allen Shayanfekr, CEO and co-founder of Sharestates. Simple touch-ups can be staining or painting the door. According to the 2018 Cost vs. Value report in Remodeling, a 5x2m garage door averages about $3,500 with a resale value of about $3,400. A new steel front door might set you back about $1,500 but the resale value is about $1,350.