If you’ve been thinking about remodeling your home, you’re not alone. According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Americans spent a staggering $603 billion on home remodeling projects in 2024. And while motivations vary — from upgrading outdated features to prepping a home for resale — one thing is clear: remodeling brings both joy and value to homeowners.
What Remodeling Projects Make Homeowners Happiest?
The report introduced a “Joy Score” this year — a ranking from 1 to 10 based on how happy homeowners felt after completing their projects. The top-rated upgrades for pure satisfaction included:
- Primary bedroom suite addition – Joy Score: 10
- Kitchen upgrade – Joy Score: 10
- New roofing – Joy Score: 10
These projects had homeowners feeling most content with their refreshed spaces. Whether it’s waking up in a luxurious new suite, cooking in a modernized kitchen, or enjoying peace of mind under a brand-new roof, these remodels truly transformed the way people feel in their homes.
What Remodeling Projects See the Best Returns?
Of course, remodeling isn’t just about emotional satisfaction — it’s also a financial decision. NARI members estimated the top projects with the highest cost recovery (the percentage of money recouped in home value) were:
- New steel front door – 100% cost recovery
- Closet renovation – 83%
- New fiberglass front door – 80%
These smaller-scale projects might not have the same “wow” factor as a full kitchen overhaul, but they deliver outstanding returns, especially for homeowners looking to sell.
What Remodeling Projects Are Recommended by Realtors®?
If you’re planning to list your home for sale, certain updates can help make it market-ready. According to Realtors®, the most recommended pre-listing projects include:
- Painting the entire home – 50%
- Painting a single room – 41%
- Installing new roofing – 37%
Fresh paint and a solid roof are practical, eye-catching upgrades that appeal to buyers and may help your home stand out in a competitive market.
Remodeling Trends & Why Homeowners Are Taking the Leap
So, what’s driving these renovations?
- Upgrading worn-out surfaces – 27%
- Improving energy efficiency – 19%
- Simply desiring a change – 18%
- Preparing to sell within two years – 18%
Interestingly, despite higher mortgage rates and affordability concerns, 89% of homeowners said affordability wasn’t a major factor in their decision to remodel. Many instead tapped into built-up equity to fund renovations, with:
- Home equity loans/lines of credit – 54%
- Savings – 29%
- Credit cards – 10%
Bigger Renovation Projects, Bigger Joy
According to NARI, 42% of remodelers saw increased demand, and 57% noted larger-scale renovations. This reflects a shift toward investing more deeply into the home as a long-term space — especially when moving might not be ideal due to mortgage constraints.
Post-renovation, the benefits are clear:
- 64% of homeowners reported a stronger desire to be home
- 46% said they experience greater enjoyment of their space
- Top perceived outcomes included improved functionality (28%), durable results (23%), and better aesthetics (23%)
Summary
The results speak for themselves. Post-remodel, 64% of homeowners reported a greater desire to be in their homes, and 46% experienced increased enjoyment of their living spaces. It’s clear that demand remains strong, with NARI President Jason Hensler noting that 42% of NARI members saw an increase in projects and 57% observed larger project scopes recently.
And the desire to improve doesn’t stop; if cost were no object, a staggering 92% of consumers would remodel even more areas of their homes.
Whether you’re renovating for personal enjoyment, future resale value, or a combination of both, understanding these trends can help you make informed decisions about your next home improvement project.
Are you thinking about buying or selling real estate in the South Florida area? We can help! Contact Natasha at Live South Florida Realty, Inc. today! Also, be sure to download the free Florida Home Search App for your smartphone or tablet!
