Not every home improvement is considered equal. Some are more expensive than others. Some provide better ROI than others. It depends on your budget, as well as what you hope to achieve.
Now, if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, that’s the fact that kitchen and bathroom renovations are quite expensive. Plus, many projects require professional help, rather than DIY projects.
With these thoughts in mind, which option is better to add value to your home?
Long Story Short
Long story short, it depends on what kind of projects you go for.
As a general rule of thumb, a full kitchen renovation will bring around 10% extra to the value of your property. On the other hand, a full bathroom renovation will add about 5% on average. That’s because the kitchen is more social and requires more appliances and elements when compared to a bathroom.
There are, of course, other projects that can add even more. For instance, a loft conversion or single or double extensions will add 11% to 16%. There are also poor ROI projects, such as decorating or landscaping.
However, if you’re only interested in comparing the kitchen against the bathroom, the kitchen offers a better return on investment.
What’s Cheaper?
The total cost is extremely important in making a choice. Like for any other type of renovation, there are all sorts of unexpected costs that may arise out of nowhere. The kitchen offers better ROI, meaning renovating it is more expensive as well.
It’s easy to understand why. The kitchen is larger and has more elements. Think about the countertop, every cabinet, appliances, one or more sinks and so on.
Bathroom costs mainly cover the tiles and fixtures.
Installation costs are just as diversified. Kitchens imply working with cabinets, hooking up different types of appliances, moving or installing lines and fixtures. You’ll need professional help for both projects.
As for unexpected costs, kitchens could require electrical upgrades, while bathrooms require more waterproofing than kitchens.
Simply put, bathrooms are cheaper when it comes to renovations, but the ROI is also lower. Also, to keep costs in check, make a solid budget. Look into DIY options where you can, or find affordable materials that still look good.
Always balance what you're spending now with the long-term value, like ROI, so you can decide which renovation makes the most sense.
What’s the Purpose?
The decision between renovating a bathroom or kitchen also depends on why you need this change. People renovate their homes for all kinds of different reasons.
Most commonly, the reason is to enhance the overall functionality of the space. The layout may no longer match your lifestyle. You could do with an island or perhaps a bigger table. All in all, a functional upgrade can work in more directions, but most importantly, it must match your lifestyle.
If the budget isn’t an issue, upgrading aesthetics is another common reason. Things that looked trendy years ago may seem out of fashion today. When it comes to renovating, people also look at the new style or design. For many of them, this is a priority.
Adding to the property value should be a top reason, yet it’s not. However, a renovation project inevitably adds to the overall property value.
These being said, many homeowners choose to renovate their homes just before selling them. A modern and brand new kitchen will be a major selling point. If your entire home looks like this and doesn’t require any upgrades, people will be more eager to move in.
There’s a catch here though.
A newly renovated bathroom or kitchen could be a selling point, but it could also be an issue if you add too much value compared to the average in your area. In other words, if your home is 10% or more higher than other homes in the area, chances are it won’t sell very fast, despite the upgrade.
Before starting any big renovation projects, it's a smart move to talk to professionals. They can give you personalized tips and let you know about local real estate trends, helping you decide on renovations that will pay off the most.
Convenience and Maintenance
Convenience and maintenance can also help you determine what’s better. No matter how good the ROI is, harsh maintenance requirements and expensive cleaning products can affect it in the long run, especially if you’re not interested in selling straight away.
You could have the most beautiful kitchen in the world, but if cleaning becomes a nightmare or it’s too expensive, chances are you won’t look after it. Similar issues could occur with bathrooms too, whether it’s the thickness of grout lines or the materials that can take fingerprints and water spots.
Wear and durability are just as important when it comes to the actual return on investment. Looks are nice, but if the renovation project isn’t practical or qualitative enough, the ROI will significantly drop.
Bottom line, choosing between a kitchen or bathroom renovation depends on your priorities. Kitchens often bring higher ROI due to their size and functionality impact, but they can be pricier. Bathrooms are less costly and simpler to maintain. Weighing costs, convenience, and potential returns can guide you to the best choice for your home.
Make sure your renovation project should reflect not just your style, but also fit seamlessly into your life.