Value added: in markets across the country, remodeling projects are a solid investment - Feature

Building Products, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Sal Alfano

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

MID-RANGE

Update an existing bathroom that is at least 25 years old. Replace all fixtures to include standard-sized tub with ceramic tile surround; toilet; solid-surface vanity counter with integral double sink; recessed medicine cabinet; ceramic tile floor; and vinyl wallpaper.

UPSCALE

Expand an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom to g-by-g-foot space within existing house footprint. Include 30 square feet of windows and/or skylights. Relocate and replace tub with custom 4-by-6-foot shower with top-of-line fittings and full-body wash shower wall, tile enclosure, and glass block surround. Relocate toilet into a partitioned area and replace it with one-piece color unit. Add bidet; stone tops in custom vanity cabinet with twin designer sinks; and linen/towel storage closet. Add tile floor, papered walls, and hardwood trim. Add general and spot lighting. Add humidistat-controlled exhaust fan.

WINDOW REPLACEMENT

                             MID-RANGE

                      Job     Resale     Cost
Market                Cost    Value    Recouped

National Average     $9,568   $8,673     84.8%

Atlanta               8,934    6,336     70.9
Boston               10,424   12,333    118.3
Buffalo, N.Y.         9,545    4,833     50.6
Chicago              10,817    6,625     61.2
Cincinnati            9,571    5,542     57.9
Cleveland            10,143    6,250     61.6
Columbus, Ohio        9,468    8,813     93.1
Dallas                8,785    4,000     45.5
Denver                9,050    5,000     55.2
Detroit              10,330    4,860     47.0
Houston               8,957    4,333     48.4
Indianapolis          9,460    5,591     59.1
Kansas City, Mo.      9,491    7,300     76.9
Los Angeles          10,483   11,250    107.3
Miami                 8,583   11,014    128.3
Milwaukee             9,987   13,488    135.1
Minneapolis          10,957   10,000     91.3
New Orleans           8,744    7,749     88.6
New York             10,542   11,775    111.7
Norfolk, Va.          7,988    4,650     58.2
Orlando, Fla.         8,269    6,467     78.2
Philadelphia         10,243    7,500     73.2
Phoenix               9,017    5,864     65.0
Pittsburgh            9,755    5,695     58.4
Portland, Ore.        9,580    6,941     72.5
Providence, R.I.      9,831   15,500    157.7
St. Louis            10,185    7,240     71.1
Sacramento, Calif.    9,841    7,214     73.3
Salt Lake City        8,699    4,750     54.6
San Antonio           8,676    5,679     65.5
San Diego            10,271   16,727    162.9
San Francisco        11,002   14,170    128.8
Seattle              10,219   13,370    130.8
Tampa, Fla.           8,375    7,263     86.7
Washington, D.C.      8,669   10,681    123.2

                               UPSCALE

                       Job     Resale      Cost
Market                Cost      Value    Recouped

National Average     $15,577   $16,168     87.0%

Atlanta               14,921    11,289     75.7
Boston                16,424    30,000    182.7
Buffalo, N.Y.         15,545     6,667     42.9
Chicago               16,816    10,750     63.9
Cincinnati            15,572     9,625     61.8
Cleveland             16,143    10,000     61.9
Columbus, Ohio        15,468    14,625     94.6
Dallas                14,785     6,000     40.6
Denver                15,050     7,500     49.8
Detroit               16,330    10,900     66.7
Houston               14,957    12,250     81.9
Indianapolis          15,460     8,292     53.6
Kansas City, Mo.      15,491    12,500     80.7
Los Angeles           16,483    19,600    118.9
Miami                 14,583    20,000    137.1
Milwaukee             15,987    14,838     92.8
Minneapolis           16,956    16,333     96.3
New Orleans           14,744    11,207     76.0
New York              16,822    17,257    102.6
Norfolk, Va.          13,988     8,667     62.0
Orlando, Fla.         14,629    14,600     99.8
Philadelphia          16,243    10,750     66.2
Phoenix               15,017     8,045     53.6
Pittsburgh            15,755     9,174     58.2
Portland, Ore.        15,560    11,333     72.8
Providence, R.I.      15,831    25,000    157.9
St. Louis             16,185    11,013     68.0
Sacramento, Calif.    15,841    11,357     71.7
Salt Lake City        14.697     8,875     60.4
San Antonio           14,676    11,708     79.8
San Diego             16,271    23,273    143.0
San Francisco         17,002    22,137    130.2
Seattle               16,219    20,805    128.3
Tampa, Fla.           14,375    13,600     94.6
Washington, D.C.      14,369    16,724    116.4