Home Renovation Cost Versus Value in Greater Madison, WI

As a design-build firm, we're often asked about the value their project adds to their homes. The fact is that there are two areas of value that you need to consider when making the decision to invest in improving your home.

First is your improvement's value to you and your family's lifestyle. Every home improvement project should first add value to your daily life. Whether it's added functionality in the kitchen or a spa-like relaxing retreat for rejuvenating after a long day, your project should enhance your life. This is a very subjective area of value.

On a more practical level, every home renovation cost, provides a return on investment should you ever decide to sell. The amount of recoupment value is different in different regions of the country.

View Our Kitchen Remodeling Project Portfolio

This post will explore some of the most commonly requested home renovation costs in Greater Madison, including the price and recoupment value. (All data for Wisconsin courtesy of remodeling.hw.net) The photos represent the most similar projects and most similar price points of projects completed in 2021 and 2022, while italicized text notes help you to understand how and why your project might not align exactly with what the concept project costs state.

Bathroom Renovation Cost

Bathroom and kitchen remodeling are two of the most requested home renovation projects. Let's look at three different levels of bathroom remodel projects, their average cost, and recoupment values in Madison:

Midrange Bathroom Remodel

job cost - $26,219 resale value - $15,914 cost recouped – 60.7%

This project is updating an existing 5x7- foot bathroom. Includes replacing all fixtures - a 30x60-inch porcelain-on-steel tub with a 4x4-inch ceramic tile surround; new single-level temperature and pressure-balanced shower control; standard white toilet; solid-surface vanity-counter with integral sink; recessed medicine cabinet with light; ceramic-tile floor; finished with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.

Real life: Most of our clients end up choosing options and a scope of work that is $35,000 - $40,000 for a midrange bathroom remodel like this. The extra things that are typically chosen include their choice of tub or shower style, electric work that is necessary or desired, a new high-efficiency bathroom vent fan, and additional lighting options. Installation of new doors, trimwork, windows, drywall, and insulation will also impact the price of a bathroom like this. You can commonly expect to see this type of bathroom pictured on our website, among our smaller bathrooms.

Upscale Bathroom Remodel

job cost - $79,321 resale value - $46,368 cost recouped – 58.5%

Expanding the 35-square-foot bathroom to 100sf within the existing house footprint. Include a 42x42-inch neo-angle shower with ceramic tile walls with an access strip, recessed shower caddy, body-spray fixtures, and frameless glass enclosure. Includes a freestanding soaker tub with high-end faucets; stone countertop with two sinks; two mirrored medicine cabinets with lighting; a compartmentalized commode area with a one-piece toilet; and a humidistat-controlled exhaust fan. Use all color fixtures. Includes larger matching ceramic tiles on the floor, laid on the diagonal with a ceramic tile base molding. Add general and spot lighting including a waterproof shower fixture. The cabinetry has a custom drawer base, and wall cabinets. Extend HVAC. Electric in-floor heating.

Real life: Larger master bathrooms often fall close to this price range, whether or not the bathroom is getting enlarged. The design of the shower, whether or not there is a tub included, and the factors listed in the small bathroom project above will also impact the scope of work and pricing.

Universal Design Bath Remodel

job cost - $40,399 resale value – 19,752 cost recouped – 48.9%

Update an existing 5x7- foot space to be wheelchair accessible (zero-threshold, 36-inch wide door) and install flat-panel electrical switches at sitting level (36-42-inches above the floor). Replace toilet with comfort height fixture featuring elongated bowl and bidet-type seat. Remove the existing bathtub and install a curbless, tiled, walk-in shower with an adjustable showerhead, fold-out seat, thermostatic mixing valve, and bi-directional glass door. Replace flooring with electric radiant heat underneath new luxury vinyl tile flooring. Install adaptive living vanity with easy-grip handles and adjustable mirror. Install LED lights, infrared ceiling light, night light, and ultra-quiet vent fan with humidity-sensing controls. Install ceramic tiles on walls with two contrasting color stripes. Install nine towel bars that can support 250 pounds and reconfigure storage to be accessible from a seated position.

Home Renovation: Kitchen

Along with bathrooms, kitchens are the most popular home renovation projects. It's often the first chance to personalize their home and kitchen projects range from simple updates, to major renovations costing over $100,000. Here are three levels of kitchen remodeling projects, their average cost, and recoupment values in Madison:

Midrange Minor Kitchen Remodel

job cost - $27,032 resale value - $19,746 cost recouped – 73%

This is a functional but dated 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops leave the cabinets in place but replace the fronts with new shaker-style wood panels and drawer fronts, including new hardware. Replace the cooktop/oven range and slide-in refrigerator with new energy-efficient models. Replace the laminate countertops; installing a mid-priced sink and faucet. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted walls and ceiling.

Midrange Major Kitchen Remodel

job cost - $77,905 resale value - $46,750 cost recouped - 60%

Update an outmoded 200 square-foot kitchen with a functional layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3x5-foot island; laminate countertops; and a standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with a standard single-level faucet. Include an energy-efficient range, vented range hood, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted trim and ceiling.

Real life: Options such as extending the cabinets all the way to the ceiling, removing soffits, creating extra drywall work, and major electrical or lighting upgrades are some of the options that impact this price range.

Upscale Major Kitchen Remodel

job cost - $151,777 resale value - $90,103 cost recouped – 59.4%

Update for an outmoded 200 square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of top-of-the-line custom white cabinets with built-in sliding shelving and other interior accessories. Include stone countertops with imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash, a built-in refrigerator, a commercial grade cooktop, a vent hood, a wall oven, and a built-in microwave unit. Also, installing a high-end under-mount sink with designer faucets and a water filtration system. Add new general and task lighting, including low-voltage under cabinet lighting. Install tile or similar flooring that looks like wood.

Real life: Many kitchen remodeling projects are more than just the kitchen. Flooring often extends into other rooms. Clients often remodel their dining area laundry or mudroom at the same time as the kitchen. They might even update the entire main level of the home. It’s a great efficiency to do these extras at the same time as remodeling the kitchen, and of course they increase the price of the work.

The Takeaway on The Home Renovation Cost in Madison, Wisconsin

Remodeling your home is a big decision that comes with a cost attached. Every project also adds resale value when it's time to sell. Some projects add more resale value than others.

So is it the right time to remodel your home? Before you tabulate your decision in dollar terms or resale value, consider what a new kitchen, bathroom, or other home renovation could be worth to your family!

If you're wondering about the home renovation cost for a specific project in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can help you to take your home to the next level of comfort and function! If you'd like to know what your project can add to your home's resale value, we're always happy to answer all of your questions.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/30/2022.