For many residents of San Diego, home remodeling is primarily a way to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their spaces. While that is absolutely true, remodeling should also be viewed as a long-term investment with a significant potential for return. That being said, not all home upgrades are created equal.
Some have noticeably higher Return-on-Investment (ROI) potential, enabling you to recoup a significant portion – if not the entirety of their cost on resale. Today, we’ll help you familiarize yourself with these types of remodels, so you’ll know which ones to prioritize.
What type of remodel adds the most value?
According to research done by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) from 2022 to 2025, these are the Top 3 home remodels that can add the most value to your property:
- Garage door replacement has by far the highest ROI – an astounding 193.9%
- Entry door replacement, specifically upgrading to steel doors, follows with an ROI of 188.1%
- Manufactured stone veneer holds a respectable 3rd place with an ROI of 153.2%
- An honorable mention goes to new roofing which, according to the aforementioned reports, consistently manages to recoup 100% of the upfront costs.
Now, you may have noticed that these are all exterior upgrades. Realistically, this comes as no surprise. Exterior remodels are immediately visible, thereby increasing the curb appeal, thereby attracting more buyers. Does that mean you should focus exclusively on them? Absolutely not!
ROI-fying the Interior
While not as ROI-effective as their exterior counterparts, interior remodeling projects have an excellent return potential. Plus, they vastly increase homeowner satisfaction (“Joy Score”), which can be the ace in the hole during negotiations. Here are the Top 3 interior home remodels, based on ROI:
- Refinishing hardwood floors has, by far, the biggest ROI of all the interior upgrades, standing firm at 147%
- New hardwood floors trail behind by quite a margin, with an ROI of 118%
- Insulation upgrade is reasonably at the 3rd place, featuring an ROI of 100%
One thing immediately stands out among the above: there are no mentions of kitchen and bathroom remodels – the two categories that were leaving all the rest in the dust and for the longest time. Have these (and similar) home improvements fallen from grace or somehow become irrelevant? Again – absolutely not!
Kitchen and bathroom remodels remain consistently popular. In fact, they are still the most common remodeling undertakings, comprising around 60% to 65% of all remodeling jobs. No wonder there, seeing how these upgrades improve livability and the overall quality of life of all occupants. As for their ROI, the stats are as follows:
- Kitchen remodel (minor) has a respectable ROI of 81.6%
- Kitchen remodel (midrange) has an ROI of 96.1%
- Bathroom remodel (minor to midrange) has an ROI of 93.5%
Finally, we cannot fail to mention two remodeling categories that are becoming increasingly valued both by homeowners and buyers.
Energy-efficient upgrades and home office conversions are skyrocketing in popularity due to the increased eco-consciousness and the rise of remote work, respectively. While statistical data for these two categories isn’t readily available, it is safe to assume that their ROI potential is significant and will only continue to grow in value and relevance.
Which contractor is the preferred choice for home remodeling near me in San Diego?
If you want a hassle-free, streamlined remodeling process and want to get results that surpass your expectations, JDC Build is your top choice. Our design-build methods have been refined for 15+ years, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish.
In addition, our operation is spearheaded by a NARI Certified Professional, so you can expect results that meet the highest standards, both in workmanship quality and execution efficiency. Give us a call if you’re in Coronado, Scripps Ranch, or anywhere in between, and discover why we remained the contractor of choice for so many for so long!
