Not every renovation pays you back when you sell. Some projects (like a custom home theater or a high-end primary suite expansion) might cost $80,000 and return $30,000 if you list within a few years. Other projects, smaller and less glamorous, recover 80 percent or more of their cost almost immediately.
If you're planning a renovation in Wilmington and you care about resale value, here are the seven projects with the strongest ROI for Delaware homeowners in 2026, drawn from Remodeling magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report and adjusted for our regional market.
1. Garage Door Replacement
Average cost: $4,500 Average resale return: 95 to 105 percent
Year after year, garage door replacement tops the ROI charts. The reason is simple: a new garage door has an outsized effect on curb appeal. It's one of the largest visible elements on the front of most homes, and buyers notice immediately. Modern insulated steel doors also reduce noise and improve garage temperature, which buyers value.
For Wilmington homes, choose a door with a clean, classic profile. Carriage-house styles tend to age well in established neighborhoods. Avoid trendy designs that may look dated in five years.
2. Manufactured Stone Veneer
Average cost: $11,000 to $15,000 Average resale return: 85 to 105 percent
Adding stone veneer to a portion of your home's facade (typically the lower third or around an entryway) dramatically upgrades its perceived value. It's significantly cheaper than real stone and, when properly installed, indistinguishable from the street.
This project pays best on homes with a generic vinyl-only exterior. The contrast between a stone-accented base and clean siding above creates a more custom, higher-end look.
3. Steel Entry Door Replacement
Average cost: $2,500 Average resale return: 75 to 90 percent
A new front door is the cheapest high-ROI project on this list. It improves first impressions, energy efficiency, and security all at once. Steel doors with insulated cores are a step up from the typical builder-grade door most Wilmington homes start with.
Pair a new door with updated hardware (handle, kickplate, knocker) for maximum impact. Total project including hardware can come in under $3,000 installed.
4. Siding Replacement (Fiber Cement)
Average cost: $20,000 to $28,000 Average resale return: 80 to 90 percent
For homeowners with aging or damaged siding, replacement is one of the highest-impact exterior upgrades possible. Fiber cement (James Hardie and similar products) consistently outperforms vinyl on resale because of its premium look and 50+ year lifespan.
If your home is in a higher-end neighborhood (Greenville, Centreville, parts of North Wilmington), fiber cement is usually the right call. For more value-driven markets, vinyl can return strong ROI at a much lower upfront cost.
5. Roof Replacement
Average cost: $15,000 to $22,000 (architectural asphalt) Average resale return: 65 to 75 percent
Roof replacement doesn't show the highest percentage ROI on this list, but it's one of the most important. A roof at end-of-life is one of the top deal-killers in real estate transactions. Buyers and their inspectors flag aging roofs immediately, and those flags often translate to price reductions of $10,000 to $20,000 or contingencies that delay closings.
If your roof is 18 or more years old and you're planning to sell within three years, replacing it before listing usually nets out positive once you account for avoided price negotiations.
6. Minor Kitchen Remodel
Average cost: $25,000 to $35,000 Average resale return: 70 to 85 percent
A "minor" kitchen remodel keeps the existing layout and replaces surfaces and finishes: cabinet fronts, countertops, sink, faucet, appliances, lighting, and flooring. This avoids the structural costs (plumbing, electrical, gas line moves) that explode budgets in major remodels.
For Wilmington homes, a minor remodel typically delivers far better ROI than a major one. Keep finishes neutral and timeless: white or two-tone cabinets, quartz counters, classic hardware. Avoid trends that date quickly.
7. Window Replacement
Average cost: $20,000 to $28,000 (whole house) Average resale return: 65 to 75 percent
Old, drafty windows are visible and tangible. Buyers see the wood rot, feel the drafts during walkthroughs, and immediately calculate the replacement cost. A house with new windows lists at a higher price and tends to sell faster.
Vinyl double-hung windows are the workhorse choice for most Wilmington homes. For higher-end neighborhoods or historic districts, fiberglass or aluminum-clad wood may be a better fit.
What Doesn't Make This List (and Why)
A few projects that homeowners often think will boost resale value but typically don't:
- Swimming pools: in our climate, pools usually subtract value, not add it.
- Major kitchen remodels ($75k+): ROI drops below 60 percent quickly past the basics.
- Sunroom additions: very low ROI in northern Delaware due to limited use months.
- Custom home offices: highly personal, rarely add resale value.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't do these projects. Just don't do them expecting your money back. Renovate them for your enjoyment, not your sale price.
How to Sequence Your Projects
If you're planning multiple renovations, start with the exterior. Curb appeal items (garage door, front door, siding, stone veneer) compound on each other. A buyer who's impressed before they walk in the door is more forgiving of interior shortcomings.
Once the exterior is sorted, move to the systems that worry inspectors and buyers most: roof, windows, HVAC. Save kitchen and bath for last. Those are the most disruptive and the easiest to over-customize for your taste rather than the market's.
Get Real Numbers for Your Wilmington Home
ROI percentages are useful averages, but every home is different. Your home's age, neighborhood, current condition, and your timeline to sell all change the math.
At TB Home Improvements, we work with Wilmington homeowners every week on exactly these decisions. We'll walk your property, talk through your goals, and give you transparent, itemized quotes on the projects that actually make sense for your home.