These Affordable, No-Demo Renovation Projects Will Increase the Value of Your Home

It turns out that you don’t need to do a full, down-to-the studs renovation to make your home stand out if you’re trying to sell it. Smaller projects and details can have a big impact, too, according to a new report by Thumbtack and Zillow. The home services website and real estate marketplace company partnered to find the top 10 no-demo renovation projects that can entice buyers. And the best part? All of these projects cost less than $5,000 on average (this depends on where you live, of course).

Both teams combined Thumbtack’s average nationwide cost analysis of projects with Zillow data on the home features that boost daily saves and shares on its platform. More save and shares equal a home that’s very desirable to buyers, which means it might get a lot of offers and might sell for above asking price.

These are the top 10 no-demo projects:

1. Window Box

This one makes sense because a window box filled with cheerful flowers can add curb appeal. Researchers found that homes with a window box get 48% more saves and 52% more shares per day compared to similar homes on Zillow without the feature. The average national cost for this project is $100-$150 for professional installation and $15-$900 for materials.

Thomas J. Story

2. Open Shelving

One of the most-debated design choices is a standout for home buyers—the feature gets 37% more saves and 45% more shares per day on Zillow. The average national cost for professional installation is $275, not including buy-in the shelves themselves.

3. Painted Brick

The report found that homes with painted brick get 31% more saves and 39% more shares. Thumbtack says that the average national cost is $1.85-$3.03 per square foot and for the entire job, it’s $4,600-$7,600 (which includes labor, material, and equipment).

Thomas J. Story

4. Vintage Touches and Finishes

People can’t resist the charm of vintage. Homes with these features (like vintage crown molding) have 28% more saves and 31% more shares. Even though vintage and antique decor prices can vary, you can still find pieces under $100.

5. Outdoor TV

While you’d probably take the TV with you when you move, having your outdoor space set up for one can wow buyers. These homes get 28% more saves and 26% more shares, and Thumbtack reports that outdoor TV installation is up 12.7% year-over-year. The average national cost is $175-$300, but it could be more based on electrical capabilities and weatherproofing.

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6. Picket Fence

White picket fences are still the gold standard, apparently—homes with this feature get 27% more saves and 31% more shares. And the average national cost for fence installation is $7-$45 per linear foot.

7. Pergola

If you’re installing that outdoor TV, why not add some shade? Homes with pergolas get 20% more saves and 24% more shares. The average national cost is $3,600 for a 10×10 foot pergola, including labor and materials.

Thomas J. Story

8. Fire Pit

Give potential buyers something to dream of—s’mores nights! Homes with a fire pit can get 19% more saves and 23% more shares. Thumbtack reports that the average national cost is a couple hundred dollars depending on the kit.

9. Outdoor Sound System

Homes with an outdoor sound system get 18% more saves and 19% more shares, and the average national cost is $500-$2,000.

10. Smart Lighting

Smart home technology is making life easier for homeowners, so it’s no surprise that having smart lighting can make a home more attractive. Thumbtack data shows that smart home installations are up 21.8% year over year, and smart lighting can get 18% more saves and 24% more shares. The average national cost for installation is $308.