Whether you are preparing your house to sell or looking at different home improvement options, we all want the best home improvement solutions. We want our upgrades to increase value. If you’re considering a new entry door, siding replacement, or roof replacement, it’s smart to find improvements with the highest ROI (Return on Investment).
But which is the best? Is there some way to find out which improvements add the most value? AND… did you know this changes from year to year? You want to know the best home improvement solutions in 2025.
Determining the ROI of a Home Improvement Project
Many companies or products claim to be the best home improvement solutions, but non-biased data is much more reliable. If you aren’t in the Construction/ Remodeling Industry, you may not have heard of Zonda Media, but they’ve published annual “Cost Vs Value” reports since 1987. Each report aims to answer one important question: “What value does a particular remodeling project add to the sale price of a home?” Here is a link to their latest report: Click here to see it for yourself
The Methodology Behind the Data
By surveying real estate professionals and using direct data from remodeling estimating tools, Zonda determined “the average cost of 28 remodeling projects versus how much value those projects retain at resale.” Besides publishing the national average data, they also break down their findings to specific markets—including Lafayette, Louisiana.
Understanding the Implications of the Data
Thanks to Zonda, you can better understand the average cost AND RETURN on your home improvement project.
For example, if you’re considering replacing your windows, you have different materials to choose from. Does wood or vinyl cost more? And which has a better return?
Are you considering a front door replacement? Which type of front door replacement has the highest average ROI?
How about roofing? Or vinyl siding? Or something else…
Making Informed Decisions on Window Replacement
According to Zonda’s findings, homeowners in the Lafayette area can expect wood windows to cost more than vinyl and bring a lower ROI. Besides being less expensive, this homeowner can expect to recoup over 88% of their cost of vinyl windows, as opposed to 55% of wood windows.
To learn more about the differences between wood, vinyl, and aluminum window frames, check out our “Best Window Frame” blog post.
Using the Data to Make Choices
Though none of these numbers are guaranteed, this report can help you make better decisions and know what to expect. As in our previous example, this report shows the current averages for both wood and vinyl window replacements. According to the data, not only is vinyl less expensive (on average), but it has a higher return.
Consider this when choosing a roof replacement, deck addition, or siding replacement. This report even breaks down additions and remodels from midrange to upscale.
Comparing Different Home Improvement Projects
For example, in the Lafayette area, an average midrange Bath Remodel is the most cost-effective. It’s less expensive and recoups over 63% of its cost. On the other hand, an upscale Bath Remodel costs more than triple the amount and recoups less than 30%.
Again, this is for the Lafayette area. This report has regional-specific data, which may vary from other cities, regions, and national averages.
Good News for Lafayette Area Homeowners: the best home improvement solutions
According to the Zonda Media Report, the highest cost recoup in Lafayette is a Garage Door Replacement (152%). Here are a few more top home improvement solutions for Lafayette area homeowners that Jim Olivier can help:
- Steel Entry Door Replacement have a 106% return! That means it adds more than you pay! Want to increase the value of your home? Talk about a return.
- Roof Replacements/ Asphalt Shingles recoup over 82% (compared to 54% from metal).
- Vinyl Window Replacements recoup over 63% (compared to about 30% from wood-framed windows).
- AND Vinyl Siding Replacements recoup an average of 50%.
To access the full report, check it out here and download your own copy.
Why Choose Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement
At Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement, we not only use high-quality materials with hard-to-beat warranties, but we also focus on the home improvements with the highest ROI. We aim to provide the best home improvement solutions for our customers.
Did we mention, each customer receives our Red Carpet Experience?
Whether you are getting ready to sell or want to love your home again, choose the best materials, the best improvements, and the best professionals with the best service. Give us a call to get started.
