This home improvement project is a win-win
Home Value Rating: 4/5
A kitchen remodel adds significant value—with the help of pros, it can truly stand out.
The average ROI of kitchen remodeling ranges from 50% to 96%, depending on the size of the remodel, according to Remodeling.
Spending $20,000 on a minor kitchen remodel would add $19,200 to your home’s resale value, recouping most of the cost.
If you want to upgrade your kitchen space’s functionality and beauty, there’s another upside besides a top-notch cooking environment: a substantial return on investment (ROI). For minor kitchen remodels, the average ROI is 96%, while major remodels yield an ROI of about 50% on average, according to Remodeling’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report. On average, a kitchen remodel adds $13,500 to $25,920 in value to your home, depending on the extent of your project, its quality, and real estate trends.
The most significant factor to consider when estimating the ROI of a kitchen remodel is the size of the remodel. The quality of the job, materials, and timing also play a role.
Remodeling reports that the average minor kitchen remodel yields an ROI of 96%, while the average major kitchen remodel’s ROI is 50%. The main reasons for this disparity come down to cost and buyer appeal.
A minor kitchen remodel typically involves updates like painting cabinets, replacing countertops, and installing new appliances. These changes are usually more affordable and can make a big impact on the kitchen’s look and functionality. Since the costs are lower, homeowners see a higher return when they sell their homes.
A major kitchen remodel might involve tearing down walls, custom cabinetry, and high-end finishes. While these transformations can create your dream kitchen, they also come with a higher price tag. Not all buyers are willing to pay extra for luxury upgrades, so it can be harder to recoup the high initial costs in terms of resale value.
| Minor Kitchen Remodel | Major Kitchen Remodel |
|---|---|
| 96% average ROI | 50% average ROI |
| More budget-friendly | Higher cost |
| Broader appeal—freshens up the space without too much disruption | More niche appeal that depends on buyer preferences |
| Limited customization | High level of customization, ideal for creating dream kitchen |
Hiring the right pros for your kitchen remodel can ensure a better quality finish and ultimately boost its ROI. You’ll want to hire a local contractor who specializes in kitchen remodels. The contractor will oversee the project, from design to completion, making sure its finished on time and within a budget. A well-managed project reduces the risk of unexpected expenses, which can eat into your ROI.
The contractor coordinates all the necessary trades, including electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Each of these pros brings specialized knowledge, access to quality materials, and warranties on their work—all of which make for a top-notch remodeling project to appeal to buyers.
High-quality materials not only enhance the look of your kitchen, but also contribute to its durability and long-term value. That doesn’t mean you need to overspend on materials—it’s about striking the right balance for an investment that pays off.
One way to maintain this balance is by focusing on high-impact areas, like countertops and cabinetry, where quality is most noticeable. For less prominent features, like backsplash tiles or drawer pulls, you can go with more budget-friendly options.
Professionals can also help get the best quality materials at a reasonable price. They often have access to wholesale pricing or trade discounts and can help you choose materials that fit both your budget and design goals.
How soon you sell after completing the kitchen remodel plays a crucial role in determining the remodel’s resale value. If you sell your home shortly after completing a kitchen remodel, you’re more likely to maximize your ROI. The kitchen will still have that “brand new” feel, and buyers will be drawn to the fresh, modern updates.
The overall state of the real estate market is another reason why timing is important. Remodeling’s data gives a good picture of how this market can affect ROI over time: while minor kitchen remodels yield an average 96% ROI in 2024, that average was at about 71% in 2022. Here’s how it’s fluctuated over the past five years:
| Year | Minor Kitchen Remodel ROI |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 78% |
| 2021 | 72% |
| 2022 | 71% |
| 2023 | 86% |
| 2024 | 96% |
Source: Remodeling
Estimating the ROI for a kitchen remodel can help you determine where to spend and how much value you can expect to add to your home. While every home and market is different, here are som steps to help you gauge how much your kitchen remodel could pay off:
Research local market trends. Pay attention to the types of homes that are selling quickly and for higher prices.
Consider the scope of your remodel. Whether you’re planning a minor or major remodel can make a difference between a 50% ROI and a 96% ROI, respectively. If you’re aiming to maximize your return, focus on a more modest remodel that freshens up the space without dramatically altering the kitchen’s layout.
Establish what the remodel will cost. Estimate the total costs involved, including materials, labor, and permits. Once you have a cost estimate, you can weigh the ROI against this cost to get an idea of the remodel’s added value.
Factor in timing. When do you plan to sell your home? The closer the home sale is to the completion of the kitchen remodel, the more likely you are to recoup more of the investment.
Work with an appraiser. A property appraiser in your area can provide insights into what buyers are looking for and what types of kitchen upgrades will give you the best ROI.
The average kitchen remodel costs around $27,000, with most projects ranging between $14,500 and $42,000. Minor kitchen remodels will cost on the lower end of that range, while major remodels have higher costs.
Supposing that you spend $20,000 on a minor kitchen remodel, its resale value would be $19,200 based on the average ROI. Meanwhile, spending $40,000 on a major remodel would amount to about $20,000 in resale value.
The estimated ROI of a kitchen remodel can be a helpful guide for deciding whether a kitchen remodel is worth it. Given that minor kitchen remodels offer an average ROI of 96%, a smaller, more focused remodel might be a better bet if your goal is to maximize financial returns.
The value of a kitchen remodel isn’t just about dollars and cents, though. A kitchen is the heart of the home, and improving it can enhance your daily life by making it a more comfortable, functional space. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:
| Kitchen Remodel Pros | Kitchen Remodel Cons |
|---|---|
| Increases home value and appeal | Can be expensive, especially for major remodels |
| Enhances functionality | Remodeling can disrupt daily life |
| Potential energy efficiency with updated appliances | ROI is lower for extensive remodels |
| Personalizes your home | Unexpected costs can arise during the project |
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners maximize the value of their investments, we gather ROI data from reputable sources, including industry reports, real estate studies, and interviews with market experts. We calculate the average resale value for projects by multiplying the ROI against the project’s average cost according to our cost data, which is sourced from thousands of real Angi customers.
Want to help us improve our data? Send us a recent project quote or home appraisal value to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
The amount of time it takes to remodel a kitchen largely depends on the hours of labor required and the level of remodeling performed. A minor remodel can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, while a major remodel will require two weeks to a month to complete.
Updates to your kitchen that enhance its look and utility, without significantly modifying the layout, add the most value. That includes refinishing cabinets, replacing appliances with newer models, replacing countertops, and painting walls.
They are used interchangeably, but a renovation usually only changes the appearance of an area and not its function. A remodel may change the physical layout of an area, thus changing its function. If you think of a car, a remodel would be changing the engine and transmission, while a renovation would be changing the seat material and painting the outside. An easy way to remember is that the beginning of renovation sounds like “renew.”
