Renovation time
Spring cleaning isn't the only project on the agenda for homeowners this year. Many are planning home remodeling projects, too.
Nearly two-thirds of consumers are planning to renovate, according to a new survey from LightStream, a division of SunTrust Bank. Four in 10 plan to spend $5,000 or more, and another 22 percent plan to spend at least $10,000. Overall remodeling spending for October 2015 through September 2016 is expected to tally $154.8 billion, up 7.6 percent year over year, according to a January report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
If you're considering a home project, however, it's worth noting that very few earn their cost back when you sell. In Remodeling Magazine's 2016 Cost vs. Value report, for example, the average major kitchen remodel recouped just 64.9 percent of its approximately $60,000 price tag. The one project to more than pay for itself? Attic insulation, which costs an average $1,268 and has a resale value of $1,482.
Based on spending data from users of remodeling site Houzz, these states are spending the most and least, on average, for popular projects.
— By CNBC's Kelli B. Grant
Posted 25 March 2016
Custom Home
State with the highest average project cost: Connecticut
- Average cost: $1,170,000
- What the top third spent: $2,440,000
- What the lower third spent: $264,000
- Who hired a pro: 93 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Arkansas
- Average cost: $353,047
- What the top third spent: $621,000
- What the lower third spent: $150,000
- Who hired a pro: 90 percent
Kitchen
State with the highest average project cost: New Jersey
- Average cost: $44,168
- What the top third spent: $94,000
- What the lower third spent: $9,000
- Who hired a pro: 87 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Mississippi
- Average cost: $13,714
- What the top third spent: $27,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 76 percent
Garage & Carport
State with the highest average project cost: Maine
- Average cost: $34,573
- What the top third spent: $82,000
- What the lower third spent: $3,000
- Who hired a pro: 73 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: New Jersey
- Average cost: $7,646
- What the top third spent: $18,000
- What the lower third spent: $800
- Who hired a pro: 79 percent
Bath
State with the highest average project cost: Delaware
- Average cost: $21,120
- What the top third spent: $45,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 77 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: South Dakota
- Average cost: $6,155
- What the top third spent: $14,000
- What the lower third spent: $967
- Who hired a pro: 50 percent
Siding
State with the highest average project cost: New Jersey
- Average cost: $18,873
- What the top third spent: $43,000
- What the lower third spent: $5,000
- Who hired a pro: 90 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: West Virginia
- Average cost: $6,080
- What the top third spent: $15,000
- What the lower third spent: $640
- Who hired a pro: 60 percent
Patio & Landscape
State with the highest average project cost: New Jersey
- Average cost: $18,161
- What the top third spent: $47,000
- What the lower third spent: $1,000
- Who hired a pro: 68 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Alaska
- Average cost: $2,902
- What the top third spent: $6,000
- What the lower third spent: $436
- Who hired a pro: 57 percent
Living Room
State with the highest average project cost: Maine
- Average cost: $17,606
- What the top third spent: $45,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 64 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Alaska
- Average cost: $4,421
- What the top third spent: $8,000
- What the lower third spent: $457
- Who hired a pro: 48 percent
Media Room
State with the highest average project cost: Florida
- Average cost: $17,142
- What the top third spent: $47,000
- What the lower third spent: $915
- Who hired a pro: 55 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Tennessee
- Average cost: $4,465
- What the top third spent: $9,000
- What the lower third spent: $1,000
- Who hired a pro: 60 percent
Roofing
State with the highest average project cost: Minnesota
- Average cost: $15,100
- What the top third spent: $32,000
- What the lower third spent: $4,000
- Who hired a pro: 90 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Arkansas
- Average cost: $7,034
- What the top third spent: $12,000
- What the lower third spent: $3,000
- Who hired a pro: 93 percent
Deck & Porch
State with the highest average project cost: Hawaii
- Average cost: $15,052
- What the top third spent: $29,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 76 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: South Dakota
- Average cost: $3,691
- What the top third spent: $7,000
- What the lower third spent: $650
- Who hired a pro: 53 percent
Room Decor & Furnishings
State with the highest average project cost: Rhode Island
- Average cost: $14,056
- What the top third spent: $35,000
- What the lower third spent: $952
- Who hired a pro: 41 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Wyoming
- Average cost: $4,434
- What the top third spent: $10,000
- What the lower third spent: $663
- Who hired a pro: 29 percent
Bedroom
State with the highest average project cost: Connecticut
- Average cost: $13,659
- What the top third spent: $35,000
- What the lower third spent: $684
- Who hired a pro: 66 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Montana
- Average cost: $2,978
- What the top third spent: $7,000
- What the lower third spent: $279
- Who hired a pro: 39 percent
Home Office
State with the highest average project cost: Connecticut
- Average cost: $13,016
- What the top third spent: $35,000
- What the lower third spent: $657
- Who hired a pro: 60 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Idaho
- Average cost: $1,630
- What the top third spent: $4,000
- What the lower third spent: $286
- Who hired a pro: 26 percent
Windows/Doors
State with the highest average project cost: Rhode Island
- Average cost: $11,080
- What the top third spent: $24,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 85 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Alaska
- Average cost: $2,961
- What the top third spent: $6,000
- What the lower third spent: $838
- Who hired a pro: 46 percent
Flooring, Paneling & Ceiling
State with the highest average project cost: California
- Average cost: $8,599
- What the top third spent: $18,000
- What the lower third spent: $2,000
- Who hired a pro: 80 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: South Dakota
- Average cost: $2,683
- What the top third spent: $6,000
- What the lower third spent: $500
- Who hired a pro: 39 percent
Dining Room
State with the highest average project cost: Maine
- Average cost: $7,387
- What the top third spent: $16,000
- What the lower third spent: $433
- Who hired a pro: 50 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Kentucky
- Average cost: $1,727
- What the top third spent: $4,000
- What the lower third spent: $209
- Who hired a pro: 43 percent
Closet
State with the highest average project cost: Arizona
- Average cost: $6,810
- What the top third spent: $19,000
- What the lower third spent: $281
- Who hired a pro: 47 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Utah
- Average cost: $1,002
- What the top third spent: $2,000
- What the lower third spent: $170
- Who hired a pro: 27 percent
Insulation
State with the highest average project cost: Vermont
- Average cost: $5,915
- What the top third spent: $14,000
- What the lower third spent: $945
- Who hired a pro: 77 percent
State with the lowest average project cost: Utah
- Average cost: $1,290
- What the top third spent: $2,000
- What the lower third spent: $367
- Who hired a pro: 66 percent