Tag Archives: Entry Door Replacement

Biggest Bang For Your Buck

Everyone wants the most bang for their buck, especially when it comes to home improvement, right? Ideally, you want to make improvements or upgrades that benefit you and your family’s needs and lifestyle, while also making smart investment decisions. It can be challenging and time consuming to research the myriad options. Luckily, there is a handy resource available to help. The Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) is a valuable tool for homeowners.

The Cost vs. Value Report examines 29 popular projects ranging from lower cost improvements to upscale remodels and home additions. It compares average costs by region across the U.S. and the value those projects are expected to yield at resale. Below you will find the top five projects in the greater Seattle area, according to and more fully described in the Cost vs. Value Report.

Garage Door Replacement

Garage Door Replacement

Garage Door Replacement

Topping the list with a potential 115% return on investment in Seattle is the replacement of an older garage door and tracks with an upscale, 4-section, insulated, high-tensile steel door, with lifetime warranty. Includes new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks (reusing existing motorized opener), factory-applied paint, thermal panel seals, insulated windows in the top panel, galvanized steel hinges, and ball-bearing urethane rollers.

Alternatively, replacement with a mid-range, 4-section door and galvanized steel tracks yields a lesser, but still significant return of 84.6%. The example used also includes reusing the existing opener, and is an uninsulated, single-layer, embossed, painted steel door with galvanized steel hinges, nylon rollers, and 10-year limited warranty.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

Stone Veneer Accent

Stone Veneer Accent

The second project with the highest possible return includes adding a stone veneer accent to the front of the home. This relatively modest investment can dramatically change the exterior and increase curb appeal. Imagine a street of similarly designed homes and one of them has been upgraded with this classic look. If you were shopping for a home on that street, which one would pop out at you?

At a significant potential return of 102%, this upgrade has great value. The example includes removing 300 square feet of vinyl siding from the entire bottom third of the front of the home. Replace with a manufactured stone veneer, two layers of water-resistant barrier over bare sheathing, corrosion-resistant lath and fasteners, and a ½ inch mortar scratch coat and setting bed.

Attic Insulation (fiberglass) 

Adding or upgrading fiberglass insulation in the attic comes in as the third highest valued investment. It is estimated the improvement could yield as much as a 96.2% return on investment.

The project example describes air-sealing a 35×30 attic floor to address air leaks from conditioned space to unconditioned space. Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is then added, placing it over the top of any existing insulation that may already be present, until an R-30 insulation value is reached.

Minor Kitchen Remodel 

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Coming in at number four is a modest remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen that is currently functional but in need of cosmetic updates.

Leaving the cabinet boxes intact it includes replacing the cabinet and drawer fronts with shaker style wood panels and new hardware. Replace laminate countertops, sink, faucet, flooring, wall covering, and paint the trim. Replace cook top/oven range and refrigerator with new energy-efficient models. Being careful to stay within a modest budget this type of remodel could yield a 94% return.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

We all know how important first impressions can be. Nothing spruces up the look of a home quite like a new front door. Replacing the entry door is a relatively quick and easy job and adds instant curb appeal. For those handy around the home, it might even be a DIY project.

Ideally this investment may reduce utility costs and has a potential 91.5% return on a midrange 20-gauge steel door, including half-glass panel, new jambs, aluminum threshold, and new bored-lock lockset.

© 2017 Hanley Wood Media Inc. Complete data from the Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Our expertise is matching customers with the most appropriate service professional for their project. Each contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, has successfully passed a thorough screening process including reference checks and regular credential audits, and continues to meet high standards of workmanship and professionalism.

 

Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report

Most home improvement projects are initially prompted by a need or desire to expand or modify your home to better suit your family’s needs or lifestyle. Doing some research before finalizing your plans may also help maximize the return on your investment at resale.

The Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) is a valuable resource. The full report examines 30 popular projects ranging from lower cost improvements to upscale remodels and home additions. It compares average costs by region across the U.S. and the value those projects are expected to yield at resale. Following is a local look at the Top 5 Best Value Home Improvement Projects in the greater Seattle area, according to and more fully described in the Cost vs. Value Report

Attic Insulation (fiberglass)

Adding or upgrading fiberglass insulation in the attic tops the charts as the highest valued investment at resale of all 30 projects evaluated across the U.S., as well as the Seattle area. It is estimated the project locally could yield as much as a 150.3% return on investment.

The project example includes air-sealing a 35×30 attic floor to address air leaks from conditioned space to unconditioned space. Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is then added, placing it over the top of any existing insulation that may already be present, until an R-30 insulation value is reached.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

Stone Veneer Accent

Stone Veneer Accent

The second project with the highest possible return includes adding a stone veneer accent to the front of the home. This relatively modest investment can dramatically change the exterior and increase curb appeal. Imagine a street of similarly designed homes and one of them has been upgraded with this classic look. If you were shopping for a home on that street, which one would pop out at you?

At a significant potential return of 142.8%, this upgrade has great value. The example in the Cost vs. Value Report includes removing 300 square feet of vinyl siding from the entire bottom third of the front of the home. Replace with a manufactured stone veneer, two layers of water-resistant barrier over bare sheathing, corrosion-resistant lath and fasteners, and a ½ inch mortar scratch coat and setting bed.

Garage Door Replacement

Garage Door Replacement

Garage Door Replacement

A strong third place contender involves replacing an older garage door with a new, updated door. Even though this upgrade dropped to third place from second in 2015, the resale value actually increased from 121.3% to 141.8% for a midrange replacement door. The report describes a 4-section, un-insulated, embossed steel door on new galvanized steel tracks (reusing existing motorized opener) with a 10 year warranty.

An upscale garage door replacement could fetch up to a 136.9% return, up from 110.5% in 2015. The upscale 4-section, high tensile steel door is insulated, includes insulated glass windows in the top panel, heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks (reusing existing motorized opener), and has a lifetime warranty.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

We all know how important first impressions can be. Nothing spruces up the look of a home quite like a new front door. Replacing the entry door is a relatively quick and easy job and adds instant curb appeal. For those handy around the home, it might even be a DIY project.

Ideally this investment may reduce utility costs and has a potential 127.9% return on a midrange steel door, including half-glass panel, and new brass or antique-brass lockset.

Window Replacement (Vinyl)

Window Replacement (Wood)

Window Replacement (Wood)

Replacing older, double-hung windows with insulated, low-E, vinyl windows, has multiple benefits.

The investment is expected to again more than pay for itself at an estimated 113.8% return. Not only can it also increase curb appeal, it has the added benefit of outside noise reduction and lower energy costs.

© 2016 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Our expertise is matching customers with the most appropriate service professional for their project. Each contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, has successfully passed a thorough screening process including reference checks and regular credential audits, and continues to meet high standards of workmanship and professionalism.

Top 5 Home Improvement Projects

 

Kitchen Remodel and Full Home Renovation

Kitchen Remodel and Full Home Renovation

If you are planning a home improvement project we have good news to share with you. According to the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), for the second consecutive year the value of home remodeling projects is rebounding, with a 5.5% jump (national average) from last year and the largest increase since 2005. A consistent trend in real estate’s rising resale value is driving the overall improvement.

The survey includes data from 35 projects ranging from lower cost improvements such as entry and garage door replacement to upscale remodeling projects and home additions. The report compares the average cost for these improvements against the value they are expected to yield at resale. Actual numbers will vary depending on specific neighborhoods and how closely the improvements match the report’s project description.

According to the report, the top five home improvements with the highest potential rate of return in Seattle are: 1) Entry Door Replacement 2) Minor Kitchen Remodel 3) Siding Replacement 4) Garage Door Replacement and 5) Window Replacement.

Entry Door Replacement (steel): Exterior replacement projects often yield a better return than remodeling projects. They are some of the least expensive and non-discretionary improvements to make that add instant curb appeal. Replacing an entry door is a relatively simple job, highly cost effective, and may also reduce utility costs. According to the report, up to 104.1% of the cost can be recouped to replace an existing door with a midrange steel door and new lockset.

Minor Kitchen Remodel: A minor remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen that is functional but in need of cosmetic updates. It includes replacing cabinet and drawer fronts, including hardware, but leaving the cabinet boxes intact. Replace laminate countertops, sink, faucet, flooring, wall covering, and paint the trim. Replace wall oven and cook top with new energy-efficient models. Being careful to stay within a modest budget this type of remodel could yield a 97.9% return.

Siding Replacement (fiber cement): Siding replacement is good value and can significantly increase curb appeal by improving the overall look of a home’s exterior. Replacing siding with fiber-cement siding can yield an average return of 87.9% on your investment (in comparison vinyl siding yields 67.7% and foam-backed vinyl siding 71%). However, when deciding on the best siding materials for your home it is also important to keep in mind the style of your home and the others in your neighborhood. For instance, replacing traditional wood siding with vinyl may actually detract from the home’s value.

Garage Door Replacement: Replace an older garage door with a new high tensile strength steel door on new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks (reuse existing motorized opener). The upscale category door is foam insulated with thermal seals between pinch-resistant panels, includes top panel insulated windows, and has a lifetime warranty. The return on this improvement is expected to be 87.6%. The midrange category door is un-insulated, single-layer, embossed steel with a 10-year limited warranty and yields an average 85% return. Similar to replacing the entry door, garage door replacement is a relatively inexpensive improvement that adds resale value by increasing curb appeal. The added convenience of a highly functional door goes without saying.

Window Replacement (vinyl): Replacing older double-hung windows with insulated vinyl windows is the 5th project with the highest potential rate of return. The highest yield on window replacement is 86.9% and is based on a midrange product, wrapping the existing trim to match, and not disturbing the interior trim. Midrange insulated wood windows with the exterior clad in vinyl or aluminum has a slightly lower return of 82.3%. Alternatively, one can expect a 79.3-86% replacement value when choosing upscale, insulated, low-E, divided-lite vinyl or wood windows. The added comfort and energy savings achieved are yours to enjoy above and beyond the resale value of this improvement. © 2014 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Our expertise is matching customers with the most appropriate service professional for their project. Each contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, has successfully passed a thorough screening process including reference checks and regular credential audits, and continues to meet high standards of workmanship and professionalism.