What does this remodel actually return at resale?
Pick a city and a project. We compute the local cost (RM Cost vs. Value, regionally adjusted) and the local resale add, then return the percent of cost recouped. No email, no signup, no math required.
- Local cost
- $104,438
- Local resale add
- $45,064
- Net invested
- $59,374
Estimate only. Outputs are computed from publicly disclosed calibration constants and your inputs. Confirm any number with a licensed contractor or local building department before relying on it for a contract or filing.
Methodology
We start with Remodeling Magazine's 2024 Cost vs. Value Report mid-range or upscale national-average figures. RM publishes the canonical industry baseline, surveyed across roughly 100 US markets and adjusted for typical scope and finish-tier per project type.
We then apply two regional multipliers per city. The cost multiplier scales the national-average cost up or down based on the city's general construction-cost environment (San Francisco 1.55x, Houston 1.00x, US average 1.0x). The return multiplier scales the recoup percentage based on the city's general home-resale dynamics (NYC 1.12x, Chicago 0.86x).
The output is an estimate, not a precise prediction. Actual recoup at resale depends on home age, neighborhood comp dynamics, the specific contractor's execution quality, finish-tier within the project type, and the resale-market conditions at the time you sell. Treat the percentage as a directional benchmark.
How this differs from Angi or Thumbtack
Angi and Thumbtack do not publish recoup-at-resale data on their tools surfaces — they direct you to their lead-capture forms instead. Houzz Pro publishes some cost data but not a recoup percentage. The Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report is the industry primary source; this tool is a free, machine-readable, regional version of that report's headline numbers.
For a homeowner deciding between two project types (e.g., kitchen vs bathroom), this tool's comparison is more useful than any lead-gen platform's offering. For a homeowner deciding whether to remodel at all vs sell-and-buy elsewhere, the recoup percentage is one input — not the only one — and a CPA or licensed appraiser can layer in your specific tax and equity situation.
Frequently asked questions
Where do these numbers come from?
Remodeling Magazine's 2024 Cost vs. Value Report is the national-average baseline. Regional multipliers are AskBaily Editorial's calibration based on BLS PPI residential construction inputs (cost side) and FHFA/Zillow regional home-price index data (return side). Calibration constants are open at /lib/tools/calibration/roi-estimator.ts in the AskBaily repo.
Why does a garage door score so high?
Because it's cheap and visible. Cost vs. Value 2024 reports garage door replacement at 194% recoup nationally — one of the highest ratios in the report. The tool reflects this directly. Small, exterior, curb-appeal projects routinely outperform interior major-renovation projects on recoup math.
Why does a major kitchen recoup less than a minor kitchen?
Diminishing returns on finish-tier upgrades. Buyers value a functional, modern kitchen but rarely pay full premium for upper-quartile finishes that you specifically chose. Mid-range kitchen replacement recoups roughly 96% nationally; major mid-range recoups roughly 49%; upscale recoups roughly 38%. The tool reflects this directly.
Does this account for inflation between project completion and resale?
No. The Cost vs. Value Report is a same-year cost-and-recoup snapshot. Long-hold owners who resale 5-10 years after completing a remodel typically see different absolute numbers driven by intervening home-price appreciation. The percentage recouped at sale is an at-completion estimate.
Should I make the remodel decision based on this tool alone?
No. ROI is one factor; daily livability, family needs, tax-and-equity dynamics, and your time horizon all matter at least as much. Use this tool for the financial-recoup component of the decision and consult a CPA, appraiser, or licensed contractor for the rest. AskBaily's chat interface can help integrate the financial estimate with your specific situation.
Want Baily to do this for you?
Skip the calculator. Tell Baily your project and city — she will do the math, cite the local source, and pre-seed your scope.