A useful remodeling decision compares three things: the cost of the work, its likely contribution at resale and its value while you live in the home. Explore Jencor's six services through the matrix below, with dated cost examples and the questions to resolve before choosing a scope.
Figures checked October 25, 2026. Los Angeles examples use 2025 report estimates. National surveys are labeled separately.
Six remodeling choices. Three kinds of value.
Compare the cost of the work, its estimated contribution at resale and its usefulness while you own the home. Start with the service below, then follow the linked cost example or budget method.
| Project | Cost reference and scope | Resale and long-term value | What to prioritize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-home renovation | Price the rooms, structural changes, systems and finishes together. A room refresh and a full gut renovation are different scopes. Build a property-specific budget | At sale: Compare the finished home with renovated homes of similar size and condition nearby. Adding room-by-room recovery percentages does not produce a whole-home return. While you own it: A coordinated layout and systems plan can serve the household over many years. Maintenance, operating costs and future flexibility belong in the decision. | Condition and necessary repairs first. Then circulation, kitchen and bath function, storage and a consistent finish level. |
| Kitchen remodeling | Separate a targeted refresh that retains cabinet boxes from a major remodel with new cabinetry and a broader construction scope. Compare minor and major kitchen examples | At sale: The 2025 report ranks a minor kitchen remodel as the leading interior project for cost recovery nationally. Major remodels have a different resale profile. While you own it: Better workflow, storage, lighting and durable materials can improve daily use. Select a finish level that suits the home and neighborhood. | Fix the layout where needed. Focus on usable cabinetry, counters, task lighting and appliances. Preserve serviceable elements when they fit the plan. |
| Bathroom remodeling | Distinguish replacement within an existing bathroom from expansion, moved plumbing or an upscale custom bathroom. See the midrange bathroom example | At sale: An updated existing bathroom can improve presentation and utility. A small midrange benchmark cannot price a large custom bath or promise its return. While you own it: Waterproofing, ventilation, comfortable access and ease of cleaning matter throughout ownership, alongside the finished appearance. | Sound waterproofing and ventilation. A practical shower or tub, storage, lighting and slip-conscious surfaces appropriate to the household. |
| Home additions | Define the added area and use. A primary suite, extra bedroom, expanded living room and additional bathroom need separate estimates. See the primary-suite addition example | At sale: Check whether the new room count and floor area fit local comparable homes. More square footage alone does not establish the resale uplift. While you own it: An addition may let a household stay in its neighborhood. Balance that use against construction disruption and the added operating and maintenance costs. | A useful room and circulation plan. Integration with the existing structure, roof, utilities and yard. A scale that fits the property. |
| Accessory dwelling units | Compare conversion, attached and detached options through a feasibility review. The published example is a newly built unit, not a garage conversion. See the ADU cost and value example | At sale: Evaluate permitted use and comparable properties with similar units. The report's resale estimate does not include a future rental cash-flow model. While you own it: Family accommodation or potential rental use can add a separate benefit. Model permitted use, rent, vacancy, expenses and financing for the actual property. | Feasibility, access, utilities and privacy. A workable dwelling plan. Confirm the intended use before investing in detailed design. |
| New custom construction | Prepare a full development budget. Identify land, demolition, site work, design, engineering, fees, construction, financing and contingency separately. See the construction-cost context | At sale: Use comparable completed homes and a property-specific valuation. A national construction cost per square foot is neither local resale value nor an investment return. While you own it: A new home can be planned around the household's needs from the start. Consider adaptable rooms, maintenance and ongoing operating costs. | Lot feasibility and a useful design. Realistic site and systems budgets. A size and finish level consistent with the intended use and market. |
What do the published cost examples show?
These five examples come from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report for Los Angeles . Costs are modeled for a defined project. Resale values reflect estimates gathered from real estate professionals, rather than recorded returns from Jencor projects.
Los Angeles. 2025 benchmark.
Minor kitchen refresh
A functional, dated 200-square-foot kitchen, retaining cabinet boxes while updating fronts, appliances and selected surfaces.
For Los Angeles in 2025, the report estimates a $29,765 cost and $37,768 in resale value added, equivalent to 126.9% cost recovery.
This is the targeted-refresh example. It is useful when the layout and cabinet boxes already work. It does not price a custom kitchen or guarantee a gain on a particular home.
Report figures Original project scope
Los Angeles. 2025 benchmark.
Major midrange kitchen remodel
A broader kitchen replacement with new cabinetry, counters, appliances and finishes under the report's specified midrange scope.
The Los Angeles 2025 estimate is $86,214 in cost and $49,079 in resale value added, or 56.9% cost recovery.
A full remodel can solve problems that a refresh leaves in place. Compare that everyday benefit with the additional investment. A high-end custom scope requires its own estimate.
Report figures Original project scope
Los Angeles. 2025 benchmark.
Midrange bathroom remodel
An existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom with replacement fixtures and finishes, rather than a large bathroom expansion.
The Los Angeles 2025 estimate is $27,143 in cost and $24,312 in resale value added, or 89.6% cost recovery.
Use this as context for a modest existing bathroom. Moving plumbing, increasing room size and choosing custom finishes change the project. Condition and technical requirements also affect the actual budget.
Report figures Original project scope
Los Angeles. 2025 benchmark.
Midrange primary-suite addition
A 24-by-16-foot primary suite including a bedroom, closet and bathroom. This is one specific addition type.
The Los Angeles 2025 estimate is $182,518 in cost and $58,271 in resale value added, or 31.9% cost recovery.
The resale estimate is only part of the decision. The added space may have years of use value. Do not apply this project's price or percentage to every kind of addition.
Report figures Original project scope
Los Angeles. 2025 benchmark.
Newly built ADU
A one-story, 660-square-foot dwelling under the report's described construction and equipment scope.
The Los Angeles 2025 estimate is $178,536 in cost and $71,300 in resale value added, or 39.9% cost recovery.
A conversion, hillside property or difficult utility connection can have a different budget. Potential rent and family use need separate analysis. Neither is included in this resale-recovery percentage.
Report figures Original project scope
Price the complete scope once
The selected report does not provide a like-for-like whole-home renovation benchmark. Prepare a coordinated estimate with shared work, systems and structural changes accounted for once. Include design, fees, contingency and temporary accommodation where relevant.
Use local comparable homes to assess the likely finished value. Do not add kitchen and bathroom resale estimates together to claim a return for the entire renovation.
© 2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware Corporation. Complete report data: www.costvsvalue.com . Methodology · Interpreting the estimates .
National context. 2024 survey.
New construction needs a development budget
NAHB's 2024 builder survey reported an average construction cost of $428,215 for its sample, approximately $162 per square foot. This is a national construction-cost reference. Land, financing, builder overhead and profit are separately reported in its sale-price breakdown. It is not an all-in Los Angeles custom-home price.
Price the actual lot, design and construction scope. Evaluate the finished home against local comparable properties. A construction cost figure by itself cannot establish the value added or a percentage return.
Four research references behind this guide
These resources offer useful ways to compare scope, spending and value. Their methods differ, so their figures should retain their original context.
- Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Los Angeles Match every example to a year, market and defined project scope. Keep construction cost separate from estimated resale value.
- NAR and NARI, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report findings Consider homeowner satisfaction alongside money recovered at sale. The two measures answer different questions.
- Houzz, 2026 U.S. renovation study highlights Show why spending varies with project size and scope. A survey median is context, not a contractor quote.
- Zillow, kitchen remodeling and resale decisions Connect the research to a decision: repair, refresh or fully remodel. Compare the plan with the neighborhood and the likely selling horizon.
What should you prioritize for resale?
Start with the home's condition and the expectations of nearby buyers. Necessary repairs and practical improvements deserve a separate review before deciding how much to spend on custom finishes.
The minor kitchen example supports a focused refresh when the existing layout works. It does not mean every kitchen remodel is the highest-return project. A major remodel, an addition or an ADU may solve a different household need.
What changes when you plan to stay?
For a longer ownership period, include daily comfort, accessibility, maintenance, operating costs and future flexibility in the decision. NAR and NARI's remodeling research distinguishes homeowner satisfaction from the portion of cost recovered at sale.
These reports are dated snapshots. They do not predict a sale five or ten years from now. Future value will also depend on the home's condition, local demand and comparable properties at that time.
Turn the reference into a project plan
Bring Corey the property address, existing plans if available, photographs, the problem you want to solve and your expected ownership horizon. Establish the scope before treating a report figure as a project budget.
- Separate essential repairs from layout changes and optional finishes.
- Identify site, structural, utility and approval questions that affect the work.
- Obtain a written scope with inclusions, exclusions, allowances and contingency identified.
- Compare the planned result with similar local homes through a qualified local real estate professional or appraiser.
- For an ADU, analyze permitted use and any rental cash flow separately from resale value.
Related Jencor services and articles
Move between the detailed planning guidance and the Jencor service that can help carry the project forward.
- ADU Design & Build service
- Kitchen Remodeling service
- Bathroom Remodeling service
- Home Additions service
- Whole-Home Renovation service
- New Custom Construction service
- ADU feasibility in Los Angeles
- How to choose an ADU builder
- Remodel, add on, or build new
- High-end kitchen and bath remodel planning
- Westlake Village home addition planning
- Custom home build phases
- Santa Monica coastal renovation planning
- Los Angeles hillside construction planning
- How to choose a boutique home builder
Sources
- Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Los Angeles
- Cost vs. Value Report
- 2025 Cost vs. Value methodology
- Cost vs. Value: what the numbers mean
- NAR and NARI, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report findings
- Houzz, 2026 U.S. renovation study highlights
- Zillow, kitchen remodeling and resale decisions
- NAHB, Cost of Constructing a Home in 2024
Discuss the property's condition, your intended use and a defined project scope with Corey.
Questions
Is kitchen remodeling the number one way to increase home value?
A minor kitchen remodel was the leading interior project for cost recovery in the 2025 national Cost vs. Value Report. That is a defined refresh, not every kitchen project. Exterior projects ranked higher overall, and a full custom kitchen has a different cost and resale profile.
Are these numbers Jencor prices?
No. The Los Angeles examples are modeled 2025 report estimates for specified projects. The construction survey is national 2024 context. A Jencor estimate requires a property-specific scope and current pricing.
Does cost recovery measure profit?
Cost recovery compares estimated resale value added with the cost of a specified improvement. It is not total home appreciation, a rental yield or net profit after financing, holding and selling costs. A percentage above 100 does not guarantee a gain for an individual home.
Will an ADU's rental income change the decision?
It can be a separate consideration. Build a property-specific model for permitted use, expected rent, vacancy, expenses and financing. Do not treat the report's resale recovery figure as a rental-income projection.
Why is there no single whole-home renovation price or return?
The selected report does not model a directly comparable complete renovation. Whole-home scope depends on existing condition, structural and systems work, rooms, finishes and shared costs. Its finished value needs a local property comparison rather than the sum of individual project returns.
Planning a project in Los Angeles? Send Corey a note or call (310) 770-7707. Rules and requirements depend on the specific property; confirm with the city or county before you build.