Best remodeling bang for the buck? Home’s exterior

When it comes to remodeling, exterior replacement projects have routinely rewarded homeowners with more bang for their buck.

This year is no different, according to the 2011-12 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine.

Seven of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects. An upscale fiber-cement siding replacement was judged as the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 78 percent of costs recouped upon resale.

Two additional siding replacement projects were in the top 10, including foam-backed vinyl siding, expected to return 69.6 percent of costs, and upscale vinyl siding, expected to recoup 69.5 percent of costs.

Three door replacements were also among the top exterior replacement projects. The steel entry door replacement is the least expensive project in the report, costing little more than $1,200 on average and expected to recoup 73 percent of costs.

The 2011-12 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 35 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 80 markets across the country. Data are grouped in nine U.S. regions, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau.