We Americans are extremely mobile.
Based on a 2013 Gallup study, nearly one in four U.S. adults (24%) reported moving within the country in the past five years, more than any other region in the world.
We also take pride in our surroundings. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, “spending on improvement and repair products in 2011 (the most recent data available) surpassed purchases of clothing, furniture and home furnishings, and electronics and appliances—and equaled about half of spending at grocery stores.”
In a nutshell, we like to move, remodel, and then move again.
With this level of activity, we think it pays to focus on the return on investment (ROI) for your remodeling dollar. And, despite all the ink spilled on splashy kitchen and bath remodels, we have a little secret to share…
The #1 return on your remodeling investment is re-siding your home with fiber-cement siding.
In addition to looking beautiful, fiber-cement siding offers unmatched fire protection and durability. Leading brands like James Hardie also offer peace of mind in the form of a 30-year warranty for those who prefer to stay put.
In the end, remodeling is a very personal decision; however, we hope we’ve convinced you to look beyond the kitchen and bath spreads in glossy magazines and consider the future impact of each project you undertake.
CHART: Remodeling return on investment for projects with job costs of > $10,000.
| Project | 2014 Rank | 2013 Rank | 2012 Rank |
| Siding Replacement: Fiber-Cement | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Minor Kitchen Remodel | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Siding Replacement: Vinyl | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Midrange Bathroom Remodel | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Roofing Replacement | 16 | 17 | 18 |
© 2012 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
