Before you renovate, talk to us.
Renovating before a sale can improve presentation, but it can also consume time and money without producing a matching return. The right decision depends on the property, local competition and what buyers in that price range expect.
Renovation May Make Sense When
- A visible defect will strongly affect buyer confidence
- The work is relatively fast and predictable
- A dated feature is clearly hurting presentation
- Comparable homes with the improvement sell materially better
It May Be Better to Leave It Alone When
- The project is expensive or difficult to finish before listing
- Buyer preferences are highly personal
- The home is likely to sell to a renovator anyway
- The expected price improvement does not justify the cost and risk
Often, cleaning, repairs, paint, lighting and staging produce a better preparation-to-cost ratio than major construction.
Typical Pre-Sale Renovation ROI Ranges
These ranges are planning estimates, not guarantees. Actual resale impact depends on the property, neighbourhood, quality of work, timing and buyer demand.
| Improvement | Approx. ROI |
|---|---|
| Interior Painting & Cosmetic Décor | 60–100%+ |
| Lighting Updates | 70–100% |
| Kitchen Renovation | 75–90% |
| Bathroom Renovation | 70–85% |
| Finished Basement | 70–85% |
| Deck / Patio | 65–80% |
| Interlock / Additional Parking | 50–70% |
Estimate Your Renovation Return
Enter your own renovation budget and compare the estimated value that may be recovered at resale.
The calculator is a planning tool only and does not guarantee a specific increase in sale price.