What’s on Your Home Improvement Wish List?

Posted on November 28, 2014 in Uncategorized

Welcome to the holiday season. While stores (and radio stations) may have been trying to convince you that the holiday season may have started the day after Halloween, here at Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we are the traditionalists who decorate our homes the day after Thanksgiving. With the kids writing their wish lists to Santa, we would like to ask you, "What's on your home improvement wish list in 2015?"

Thanks to the annual "Cost vs. Value" Report, provided by Remodeling Magazine, we share with you a few of the things that you can add to your wish list that will improve the value.

Entry Door Replacement

One of the easiest things you can do that will recoup its value nearly completely for homebuyers is that of replacing your entry door.

Steel Entry Doors

Steel doors are durable and available with many different designs and colors. Homeowners could even elect to build sidelights or insets.

National Average Cost: $1,162
Cost Recouped: $1,122
Value of Replacement: 96.6%

Further, the value of replacement in the East North Central Region (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin is as follows:

ENC Region Average Cost: $1,167
Cost Recouped: $963
Value of Replacement: 82.5%

Drilling down to the Chicago, Illinois Region, values rise for replacement:

Chicago, IL Region Average Cost: $1,299
Cost Recouped: $1,138
Value of Replacement: 87.6%

Fiberglass Entry Door

Another durable option, also with many different designs available, fiberglass replacements recoup just a bit less cost than steel. Values are as follows:

National Average Cost: $2,822
Cost Recouped: $1,997
Value of Replacement: 70.8%

Values in the East North Central Region are as follows:

ENC Region Average Cost: $2,828
Cost Recouped: $1,997
Value of Replacement: 66.8%

Values in the Chicago, IL Region are as follows:

Chicago, IL Region Average Cost: $2,981
Cost Recouped: $2,142
Value of Replacement: 71.8%

Garage Door Replacements

With the garage taking up a large portion of the front of the house, a garage door replacement is definitely considered a high-value addition in many ways. If your garage door is starting to show weather or dents, not only would a replacement garage door improve the monetary value, but the beauty of your home.

Midrange Garage Door Replacement

A midrange garage door replacement is defined as: New door is uninsulated, single-layer, embossed steel with two coats of baked-on paint, galvanized steel hinges, and nylon rollers; 10-year limited warranty.

National Average Cost: $1,534
Cost Recouped: $1,283
Value of Replacement: 83.7%

Further, the value of replacement in the East North Central Region is as follows:

ENC Region Average Cost: $1,553
Cost Recouped: $1,285
Value of Replacement: 83.0%

Drilling down to the Chicago, Illinois Region, values skyrocket for replacement:

Chicago, IL Region Average Cost: $1,800
Cost Recouped: $2,722
Value of Replacement: 151.0%

Upscale Garage Door Replacement

New door is high tensile strength steel with two coats of factory-applied paint and foam insulated to minimum R-12 with thermal seals between pinch-resistant panels. Windows in top panel are ½-inch insulated glass. Hardware includes galvanized steel hinges and ball-bearing urethane rollers. Lifetime warranty.

National Average Cost: $2,791
Cost Recouped: $2,315
Value of Replacement: 82.9%

Further, the value of replacement in the East North Central Region is as follows:

ENC Region Average Cost: $2,822
Cost Recouped: $2,140
Value of Replacement: 76.0%

Drilling down to the Chicago, Illinois Region, values skyrocket for replacement:

Chicago, IL Region Average Cost: $3,101
Cost Recouped: $2684
Value of Replacement: 86.5%

So, a garage door replacement is definitely a good investment to add to the list of home improvement projects next year.

Garage Addition

Another decent investment-even if just for additional storage and car maintenance-is the addition of a garage to your property.

Midrange Garage Addition

Adding a new garage will help to protect property not covered as part of a home improvement project. With hailstorms hitting the region, the savings on insurance claims are an important consideration when looking at a new garage.

National Average Cost: $49,911
Cost Recouped: $34,598
Value of Replacement: 69.3%

The value of addition in the East North Central Region is as follows:

ENC Region Average Cost: $50,211
Cost Recouped: $30,491
Value of Replacement: 61.0%

Drilling down to the Chicago, Illinois Region, values rise for a garage addition:

Chicago, IL Region Average Cost: $56,661
Cost Recouped: $38,142
Value of Replacement: 67.3%

Upscale Garage Addition

If you're looking for additional storage and a more durable garage, the upscale addition includes an epoxy floor, cabinetry, and completely sealed perimeters.

National Average Cost: $82,311
Cost Recouped: $48,065
Value of Replacement: 58.4%

The value of addition in the East North Central Region is as follows: