What Home Remodeling Projects Add the Greatest Value in St. Louis?
Deciding where to invest in home renovations often boils down to one key question: Will this pay off in the long run? The 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, published by Remodeling Magazine, is here to help answer that. This annual report provides a data-driven look at the return on investment (ROI) for popular home renovation projects across the U.S., offering invaluable insights for homeowners.
This year’s report covers a range of projects, from exterior upgrades like siding and windows to interior transformations such as kitchen remodels and bathroom overhauls. By comparing the average cost of these projects to their resale value, the report helps you prioritize improvements that not only enhance your home’s functionality and beauty, but also increase its market value.
If you’re a homeowner planning your next renovation, the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report is an indispensable tool for making informed choices. Some key takeaways from the 2024 edition include:
Top-performing projects: Small-scale updates often provide higher ROI than major renovations, with exterior enhancements continuing to lead the pack.
Regional differences: ROI varies widely based on location, highlighting the importance of tailoring projects to local market trends.
Long-term benefits: Beyond resale value, many upgrades improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and boost curb appeal.
We have the St. Louis, Missouri comparison chart for you!
Are you looking for numbers in a different city or region? Explore the full report here. And if you want to speak to the St. Louis home remodeling experts at 5stone, get in touch at your earliest convenience.
Kitchen and Bath Still Matter, But the Approach Matters More
In most homes, the kitchen carries more weight than just meals. It’s a space for gathering, storing, working, and moving through the day. Even small changes here can have an outsized impact. Instead of starting over with a full demolition, many homeowners are now opting for focused kitchen remodeling updates. The 2024 report shows that modest remodels, like replacing countertops and appliances while keeping the layout intact, tend to perform better when it comes to resale value. If your cabinets are still in good shape, refinishing them or swapping the doors can breathe new life into the room without the full cost of a custom rebuild.
Bathrooms tend to follow a similar pattern. A renovation doesn’t have to mean expanding walls or moving plumbing. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from updated tile, modern plumbing fixtures, better lighting, and storage that actually works. These updates help with resale, but more importantly, they make the space easier to use and maintain every day.
Remodeling Offers Value You Don’t Always See on a Spreadsheet
Return on investment is one way to measure success, but it’s not the only one that matters. Some changes pay off in ways that don’t show up in dollar amounts.
A home that functions better is easier to live in. That could mean a new entryway with dedicated space for coats and backpacks, a laundry room that finally makes sense, or a hallway that feels open instead of cramped. These upgrades reduce frustration and improve flow.
Energy savings add up, too. Projects like replacing windows or upgrading HVAC systems may not recover their full cost at resale, but they lower your utility bills every single month. They also tend to increase comfort year-round, especially in older homes that struggle with insulation or drafty rooms.
For many people, the goal is not to move but to stay. In areas where homeowners plan to remain in place, the remodel is often about the next ten to twenty years. That could mean adding a home office, improving the primary suite, or designing a bathroom that accommodates different ages or needs.
In St. Louis, Some Improvements Go Further Than Others
Not all remodeling projects carry the same weight across the country. In St. Louis, where many homes were built decades ago, updates often need to balance preservation with improvement. Energy-efficient upgrades are especially relevant in this region. They don’t just reduce costs—they also modernize the home in a way buyers notice.
Curb appeal plays a major role in walkable neighborhoods like Webster Groves or Maplewood. Here, investing in exterior improvements and entry upgrades can influence how buyers and neighbors perceive the home. In higher-end areas such as Ladue or Town & Country, remodeling often focuses more on improving layout, adding custom details, and upgrading fixtures to better reflect the character of the home and the surrounding market.
These variations highlight why it’s helpful to look beyond general advice and think about what makes sense in your specific community.
Making the Right Decision for Your Home
Some decisions come down to timing. If you expect to sell within the next three to five years, choosing improvements with a high resale return may be the smartest move. If you plan to stay, focus on the changes that will make your daily life easier and more enjoyable.
Look around your home and ask where things fall short. Is there a part of the layout that causes frustration? Is there a space that no longer fits your needs? Remodeling should aim to solve these problems. When you improve how your home works, you improve how it feels to live there.
Comfort, functionality, and long-term value can go hand in hand. But it helps to be clear about your top priority before the first design meeting. That way, the choices you make during the project stay focused on your real goals.
Let 5stone Help You Plan with Clarity
At 5stone, we help homeowners walk through these decisions with clarity and realistic expectations. We take time to explain the differences between short-term ROI and long-term livability. We also use reports like the 2024 Cost vs. Value breakdown to help you understand where your money can go furthest.
We’ll help you weigh finish choices, layout options, and timelines with a balanced approach. If you're ready to explore your remodel, or just want to talk through where to start, we’re here when you are.
If you’re interested in discussing your renovation project with us, contact the 5stone Construction team to get started! Click here to submit your information: https://5stoneconstruction.com/contact/
