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When
Do Home Improvements Pay for Themselves?
Can Your
Earn Back the Money
You Invest on Home Improvements?
Spending money on home improvements including windows, siding and roofing
immediately increases the value of your home. When you sell your home
these improvement investments pay you back by increasing the sale price
of your home.
Compare three
home improvement projects and see the amazing amount of money recouped
in select cities.
Prices and
project descriptions come from the November 2001 issue of Remodeling magazine.
Roofing
Project Description: Remove existing roofing to bare wood. Install 3,000
square feet (30 squares) of new fiberglass shingles with new felt underlayment.
| City |
Job
Cost |
Resale
Value |
Cost
Recouped |
| Portland,
OR |
$12,015
|
$5,600
|
47%
|
| Seattle,
WA |
$12,915
|
$10,200
|
79% |
|
Spokane, WA |
$12,420
|
$7,842
|
63% |
Siding
Project description: Replace 1,250 square feet of existing siding with
new vinyl siding, including trim.
Value-add:
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Use
1/2-inch backer board to get a more level surface for the siding and
provide extra insulation. |
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Use
decorative siding pieces or vary the pattern for contrast. |
| City |
Job
Cost |
Resale
Value |
Cost
Recouped |
| Portland,
OR |
$7,113 |
$3,917
|
55%
|
| Seattle,
WA |
$7,469 |
$5,500 |
74% |
|
Spokane, WA |
$6,686 |
$4,001
|
60% |
Windows
Project description: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot windows with vinyl-clad
windows, including new trim. Replace sash, frames, and casings.
Value-add:
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Order
windows to within a 1/4-inch on all four sides to minimize the size
of the frame and sash. |
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Use
a paintable caulk sealant on the inside and a good silicone on the
outside that's weather tight. |
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Upgrade
to low-E argon. |
| City |
Job
Cost |
Resale
Value |
Cost
Recouped |
| Portland,
OR |
$9,459 |
$3,917
|
41% |
| Seattle,
WA |
$9,932 |
$10,250 |
103% |
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Spokane, WA |
$8,891 |
$5,544
|
62% |
Learn more about home improvements and maintenance with these informative
articles.
[Home
Maintenance Tips] [How
to Choose a Home Improvement Specialist]
[Window Energy Efficiency
Standards] [How to Choose Home Siding]
Take a look
at The Affordable Showroom to see what a difference
new windows, siding and roofing can make to your home.
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