Best Home Improvements for Resale Value in 2026 (Chicagoland)

If you're planning to sell your Chicagoland home — or just want to invest wisely in improvements that build equity — here are the exterior projects with the highest return on investment according to industry data.

1. Entry Door Replacement — Highest ROI

A new steel or fiberglass entry door consistently ranks as the #1 ROI home improvement, recovering 70-100%+ of the project cost at resale. It's also one of the most affordable exterior upgrades, making the value-to-cost ratio unbeatable. Explore entry door options →

2. Garage Door Replacement

A new garage door typically recovers 90-100% of its cost. The visual impact on curb appeal is massive since the garage door often covers 30% of a home's front-facing exterior.

3. Manufactured Stone Veneer

Adding stone veneer to a portion of your exterior (typically the front entry area) recovers 80-90% and dramatically upgrades curb appeal.

4. Siding Replacement

New siding — particularly James Hardie fiber cement — recovers 70-80% while transforming the entire look of your home. Buyers notice new siding immediately. Explore siding options →

5. Window Replacement

New windows recover 60-75% and are one of the first things home inspectors check. Buyers strongly prefer homes with updated windows because they represent years of maintenance-free performance. Andersen Certified window installation →

6. Roof Replacement

A new roof recovers 60-70% and eliminates one of the biggest concerns for buyers. No buyer wants to inherit a roof that needs replacing. More importantly, a failing roof can kill a sale entirely. Learn about our roofing services →

The Whole-House Advantage

Notice that every top-ROI improvement is something we do. Combining multiple exterior projects — windows, entry door, roof, siding, gutters — with one contractor saves on labor and creates a cohesive finished look that maximizes curb appeal and buyer appeal. Complete exterior renovation guide →