Upgrading your home is always appealing, but
which enhancements get you the best return
for your money when it’s time to sell? The
2004 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling
magazine and REALTOR® Magazine has the answer.

Visit REALTOR® Magazine Online's Cost vs.
Value page to view reports from previous
years, order reprints, and find out how you
can take part in next year's survey. Here
are the national averages for 10 of the
projects in the 2004 report:

MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL
Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen
with new cabinets, laminate countertops,
and standard double-tub stainless-steel
sink with standard single-lever faucet.
Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop,
ventilation system, built-in microwave,
dishwasher, and garbage disposer. Add
custom lighting and new resilient floor.
Finish with painted walls, trim, and
ceiling. Include 30 linear feet of semi-
custom grade wood cabinets, including a
3-by-5-foot island.

National Average - MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL
Job cost: $42,660
Value at sale: $33,890
Cost Recouped: 79.4%

BATHROOM REMODEL
Update bathroom that's at least 25 years old.
Replace all fixtures to include standard-sized
tub with ceramic tile surround, toilet, solid-
surface vanity counter with integral double
sink, recessed medicine cabinet, ceramic tile
floor, and vinyl wallpaper.

National Average - BATHROOM REMODEL
Job cost: $9,861
Value at sale: $8,887
Cost Recouped: 90.1%

MASTER SUITE ADDITION
On a house with two or three bedrooms, add a
24-by-16-foot master bedroom suite over a
crawlspace. Include walk-in closet/dressing
area, whirlpool tub in ceramic tile platform,
separate 3-by-4-foot ceramic tile shower, and
double-bowl vanity with solid surface
countertop. Bedroom floor is carpet; bath
floor is ceramic tile. Paint the walls,
ceiling, and trim. Add general and spot
lighting and exhaust fan.

National Average - MASTER SUITE ADDITION
Job cost: $70,245
Value at sale: $56,257
Cost Recouped: 80.1%

FAMILY ROOM ADDITION
Add a 16-by-25-foot room on a crawl space
foundation with vinyl siding and fiberglass
shingle roof. Include drywall interior with
batt insulation, prefinished hardwood floor,
and 180 square feet of glazing, including
windows, atrium-style exterior doors, and two
operable skylights. Tie into existing heating
and cooling.

National Average - FAMILY ROOM ADDITION
Job cost: $52,562
Value at sale: $42,347
Cost Recouped: 80.6%

WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung
windows with vinyl- or aluminum-clad, double-
glazed, wood replacement windows. Wrap
existing exterior trim as required to match.
Don't disturb existing interior trim.

National Average - WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Job cost: $9,273
Value at sale: $7,839
Cost Recouped: 84.5%

ROOFING REPLACEMENT
Remove existing roofing to bare wood and
dispose of properly. Install 30 squares of
fiberglass asphalt shingles with new felt
underlayment, galvanized drip edge, and mill-
finish aluminum flashing.

National Average - ROOFING REPLACEMENT
Job cost: $11,376
Value at sale: $9,197
Cost Recouped: 80.8%

ATTIC BEDROOM
In a house with two or three bedrooms, convert
unfinished space in attic to a 15-by-15-foot
bedroom and a 5-by-7-foot shower bath. Add a
15-foot shed dormer and four new windows.
Insulate and finish ceiling and walls; carpet
unfinished floor. Extend existing heating and
central air conditioning to new space. Retain
existing stairs.

National Average - ATTIC BEDROOM
Job cost: $35,960
Value at sale: $29,725
Cost Recouped: 82.7%

BASEMENT REMODEL
Create a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with
wet bar, a 5-by-8-foot full bath, and a
12-by-12-foot auxiliary room. Exterior walls
are insulated. Include five six-panel primed
hardboard doors. Main room includes 15
recessed ceiling light fixtures, three surface-
mounted light fixtures, and snap-together
laminate flooring system. Bathroom includes
standard white toilet, vanity with cultured
marble top, resilient vinyl flooring, two-
piece fiberglass shower unit, a light/fan
combination, vanity light fixture, and
recessed medicine cabinet. Bar area includes
10 linear feet of raised panel oak cabinets
with laminate countertops, stainless steel bar
sink, single-lever bar faucet, under-counter
refrigerator, and vinyl floor tile.

National Average - BASEMENT REMODEL
Job cost: $47,888
Value at sale: $36,457
Cost Recouped: 76.1%

SUNROOM ADDITION
Add a 200-square-foot sunroom to a two-story
house. Form and pour footings for slab-on-
grade foundation. Use exposed post-and-beam
framing on interior side and extruded aluminum
window frame-and-flashing system with
insulated, low-E, laminated, or tempered
glazing. Provide for natural ventilation
using screens and ceiling fan. Insulate all
non-glass areas; provide movable shades for
glass area.

National Average - SUNROOM ADDITION
Job cost: $31,063
Value at sale: $22,002
Cost Recouped: 70.8%

DECK ADDITION
Add 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated
SYP joists supported by 4-by-4 posts set into
concrete footings. Install composite deck
material in a simple linear pattern. Include
a built-in bench, a planter of the same
decking material, and stairs. Provide a
railing system made of the same composite
material as the decking or a compatible
vinyl system.

National Average - DECK ADDITION
Job cost: $6,917
Value at sale: $6,000
Cost Recouped: 86.7%

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