4 Upgrades to Increase the value of Your Cedar Falls Home

Are you preparing to sell or remodel your home in Cedar Falls, Iowa? Then you may be looking for ways to improve your home value. If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’re a Cedar Falls-based design-build remodeler, so we know a thing or two about improving your home. Here are four of the best home upgrades you can make for your money!

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are often one of the most used spaces in the household, and for that reason, they generally take a lot of abuse. Old appliances, damaged cabinetry, and chipped backsplashes are turn-offs for buyers. Instead, give your home’s next owners a fresh start by investing in a kitchen remodel — they’ll appreciate it!

Plus, a kitchen remodel can enlarge your payoff too. Your return-on-investment, or ROI, is the percentage of your investment you’ll earn back from a home upgrade when you sell. According to the 2021 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value Report, in nearby Des Moines, Iowa, owners earn on average 67.7% ROI on a kitchen remodel. For more specific project estimates, take a look at these averages from the Cost vs Value Report: 

Minor Midrange Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $24,626

Resale value: $18,909

Cost Recouped: 76.8%

Major Midrange Kitchen Remodel 

Job Cost: $71,625

Resale Value: $47,558

Cost Recouped: 66.4%

Major Upscale Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $140,813

Resale Value: $84,406

Cost Recouped: 59.9%

The Des Moines Realty Group also recommends improving your home value with a kitchen remodel. Buyers want spacious, modern kitchens. Adding new appliances and cabinets, an island, a breakfast nook, ceramic flooring, or accent lighting can improve your kitchen’s appeal. To achieve a modern look, choose simple, clean silhouettes and prioritize functionality while adding in a few statement pieces here and there. Check out our kitchen remodeling services to learn more about remodeling costs, considerations, and processes!

Remodel or Add a Bathroom

An old bathroom usually means grout gunk, cracked caulk, damaged paint, and tarnished faucets — yuck! So, it’s not difficult to understand why buyers are willing to pay more for a home with a recent bathroom addition or remodel. How much does adding a bathroom increase home value, you ask? Here are some figures from the Cost vs Value Report:

Midrange Bathroom Addition

Job Cost: $53,828

Resale value: $29,053

Cost Recouped: 54%

Upscale Bathroom Addition

Job Cost: $97,704

Resale Value: $50,673

Cost Recouped: 51.9%

Midrange Bathroom Remodel

Job Cost: $22,975

Resale Value: $12,181

Cost Recouped: 53%

Upscale Bathroom Remodel

Job Cost: $71,313

Resale Value: $36,299

Cost Recouped: 50.9%

You can refresh your bathroom by installing a new tub, toilet, and sink; re-caulking; replacing the tiling or flooring; and adding a new vanity or fixtures, according to HGTV. For an upscale remodel, switch up the layout of your bathroom. Start by expanding your space, then relocate main fixtures like the tub and toilet, and add another linen closet for maximum storage space. Then add in some details. Try updating your vanity with a new marble countertop, replacing old flooring with ceramic tile, installing fresh lighting, or adding designer sinks and facets to make a bathroom buyers will love!

Finish Your Basement

Who doesn’t want more space? According to the De Moines Realty Group, most De Moines buyers do — and they’re willing to pay more to get it. One simple way to create more space in your house is to remodel your basement, attic, or another unused space. Then, you can sell potential buyers on using the extra space to make their dream home gym or a finished basement office. 

When remodeling your basement, start by making sure your basement has all the flooding and moisture control necessary to protect your investment. Then finish your basement with materials that are moisture-resistant and durable. Add an element of luxury by installing a wet bar and recessed lighting.

Depending on whether you go for a low or high-end remodel, the cost to finish a basement ranges between $4,000 and $50,000, according to HomeAdvisor. That’s about $30 to $75 per square foot, though you may pay as much as $150 per square foot for a high-end remodel. If you only need to renovate your basement, however, the cost usually lands between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on whether your basement has prior flooding damage. 

On average, you’ll earn 70% of your investment back on a basement remodel, but your return-on-investment will vary on an individual basis. Ask a local real estate agent to get a more specific estimate. Homebuyers like natural light and functional spaces; so, you can maximize your ROI by adding extra windows, converting your basement into a walkout, or designing an open floor plan. 

Improve Your Curb Appeal

Believe it or not, a few simple exterior improvements can go a long way towards raising the value of your home. And these easy improvements have one of the best ROIs of any home upgrade project! Of nine exterior improvements included in the De Moines remodel Cost vs Value Report, the average ROI was 68% while the average job cost is $14,000. That makes exterior upgrades the go-to for those looking to make the most of their investment. 

According to the Des Moines Realty Group, outdoor living spaces such as decks, patios, and porches; siding replacements; and new driveways or garages are exterior amenities that increase home value. You can also give your front door a new coat of paint or add to your landscaping for a do-it-yourself approach. 

Deck Addition Composite

Job Cost: $21,127

Resale Value: $11,637

Cost Recouped: 55.1%

Deck Addition Wood

Job Cost: $15,361

Resale Value: $9,353

Cost Recouped: 60.9%

Entry Door Replacement Steel

Job Cost: $1,966

Resale Value: $1,476

Cost Recouped: 75.1%

Grand Entrance Fiberglass 

Job Cost: $9,583

Resale Value: $5,569

Cost Recouped: 58.1%

Window Replacement Vinyl

Job Cost: $18,326

Resale Value: $13,627

Cost Recouped: 74.4%

Window Replacement Wood

Job Cost: $22,158

Resale Value: $14,502

Cost Recouped: 65.4%

Siding Replacement Fiber-Cement

Job Cost: $18,312

Resale Value: $12,297

Cost Recouped: 67.2%

Siding Replacement Vinyl

Job Cost: $15,454

Resale Value: $9,603

Cost Recouped: 62.1%

Garage Door Replacement

Job Cost: $3,792

Resale Value: $3,565

Cost Recouped: 94%

Is it time to upgrade your home with spot-on home improvements? If so, we’re the best value remodelers around to help you do it. Preview our basement and home addition remodeling services today to see how we can make your dream remodel a reality!