Every year, homeowners spend money improving their homes. Some of that money comes back at resale. A lot of it doesn’t.
The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from Zonda just dropped. It ranks 28 common remodeling projects by return on investment. The results might surprise you.
Here’s what San Diego homeowners need to know.
The Big Takeaway: Curb Appeal Wins Again
Eight of the top ten projects are exterior improvements. Not kitchens. Not bathrooms. Outside stuff.
Garage doors. Entry doors. Stone veneer. Siding. Decks.
Why? Buyers make snap judgments. They drive up to your house and form an opinion before walking through the front door. A great exterior creates emotional momentum. A tired exterior does the opposite.
This has been true for years. The 2025 data confirms it again.
Top 10 Home Improvements by ROI (2025)
Here’s what the numbers say:
Three projects return more than double what you spend. All three are exterior. All three improve curb appeal.
What This Means for San Diego Homeowners
San Diego’s market has its own quirks. But these national trends apply here too.
Outdoor living matters more here. We use our backyards year round. Decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens aren’t luxuries. They’re extensions of living space. Buyers expect them.
Curb appeal sells fast. In competitive markets like La Jolla, Carlsbad, and Carmel Valley, first impressions close deals. Homes with strong curb appeal sell faster and for more money.
Climate plays a role. Backup generators hit the top 10 nationally because of storms back East. Here in San Diego, that’s less relevant. But drought-tolerant landscaping and artificial turf add value that doesn’t show in national numbers.
Projects That Don’t Pay Back (As Much)
The report also shows what doesn’t work as well.
Big interior remodels rarely return full value. A major kitchen gut job might cost . You might get back at sale. That’s a 37% loss.
Why? Interior taste is personal. Your dream kitchen might not match what buyers want. They’d rather pay less and do it their way.
The one exception: minor kitchen remodels. Updating cabinets, counters, and appliances without moving walls returns almost 113%. Buyers want a kitchen that works. They don’t need custom everything.
Bathroom remodels fall in the middle. Useful but not spectacular returns.
The Smart Approach: Think Like a Buyer
Here’s how to use this data.
If you’re selling soon: Focus on curb appeal. A new garage door costs under and adds over in value. That’s free money. Same logic applies to entry doors and exterior stone.
If you’re staying a while: Do what makes you happy. A big kitchen remodel might not pay back at sale. But if you’ll enjoy it for ten years, the math changes. Daily satisfaction has value too.
If you’re somewhere in between: Split the difference. Do exterior projects that boost value now. Save interior work for when you’ll use it longest.
Why Decks and Patios Make the List
Wood decks return almost 95% of cost. Composite decks return about 88%. Both make the top ten.
For San Diego specifically, outdoor hardscaping often performs even better. A well-designed backyard remodel creates usable square footage at a fraction of indoor construction costs.
Think about it. Adding 400 square feet inside might cost or more. Adding 400 square feet of outdoor living space with a paver patio, pergola, and fire pit might run to . And buyers see it as real living space in our climate.
The Cost vs. Value report tracks traditional deck additions. It doesn’t capture the full picture of outdoor remodeling in warm weather markets.
New to the 2025 Report
A few new categories showed up this year.
Backup generators entered the top 10. Return over 95% nationally. Higher in storm-prone areas like Florida and Texas. Less relevant for San Diego.
ADUs (accessory dwelling units) made the list for the first time. Returns vary widely by market. In California where ADU rules have loosened, they can add serious value. Rental income potential helps too.
Basement remodels were added. Consistent returns nationwide. Not as relevant here since most San Diego homes don’t have basements.
Rooftop solar appeared with mixed results. Payback depends heavily on local utility rates and incentives. Worth researching for your specific situation.
How to Read These Numbers
A few things to keep in mind.
These are national averages. Your local market matters. Pacific region (that’s us) tends to see stronger returns than the national average according to the report.
Costs vary too. Labor and materials in San Diego run higher than the national average. But so do home values and buyer expectations.
Quality matters. A cheap garage door replacement might technically hit the numbers. But a quality installation by a real contractor beats a DIY job every time. Buyers notice details.