What Are Common Renovation Projects? The 9 Upgrades Homeowners Choose Most
Which room would you change first if you could? For most homeowners, the answer comes fast. It's the kitchen, the main bathroom, or that deck that's seen better days. Those instincts line up with the most common renovation projects in America.
This guide walks through the renovation projects homeowners take on most often. You'll learn what each one involves and which ones tend to pay you back. We've completed many of these same projects for homeowners across the Treasure Valley, so we'll share what we see on the job, too.
We'll cover interior projects like kitchens and bathrooms. We'll look at exterior upgrades like decks and siding. We'll also touch on bigger moves like room additions. By the end, you'll know how to spot the right project for your home — and when it's time to bring in a contractor.
What Are Common Renovation Projects?
The most common renovation projects include:
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom remodels
- Flooring replacement
- Interior painting
- Deck building or repair
- Basement finishing
- Room additions
- Window and door replacement
- Exterior and curb appeal upgrades like siding and landscaping
Kitchens and bathrooms top the list because you use them every day. They also deliver the strongest return at resale. Most projects beyond cosmetic updates need a permit. A registered contractor can pull it and handle inspections for you.
One quick note before we go deeper. A renovation updates what already exists, while a remodel changes the structure or layout. Our guide to remodel vs. renovation breaks down the difference. The projects below cover both.
What counts as "common" also depends on your home. Older homes tend to need flooring, windows, and bathrooms first. Newer homes lean toward decks, basements, and kitchen upgrades. Each project is explained below.
Kitchen Renovations: The Most Popular Project
No surprise here. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it's the project homeowners ask us about most. Kitchen renovation in Star and the Treasure Valley usually falls into one of three tiers.
| Tier | What It Includes | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Paint, cabinet hardware, lighting, faucet | A few days to 2 weeks |
| Mid-range | Countertops, backsplash, sink, appliances | 2–6 weeks |
| Full renovation | New cabinets, layout changes, flooring | 1–3 months |
Why do kitchens lead the list? You use the space every day, so upgrades improve daily life right away. Updated kitchens also rank among the strongest projects for resale value.
Permits come into play once the work goes past cosmetics. Moving plumbing, adding circuits, or removing a wall all trigger a permit. A refresh with paint and hardware usually does not.
Here's the detail our founder Andrew Connell says homeowners underestimate most: living without a kitchen during the build. Plan a temporary cooking setup before demo day, not after. It makes a full renovation much easier on your family.
Our kitchen renovation services cover everything from cabinet refacing to full open-concept redesigns.
Bathroom Remodels: Small Space, Big Impact
Kitchens may top the list, but the bathroom is usually next on every homeowner's mind. It's a small room that works hard every single day. That's why bathroom remodels rank second among common renovation projects.
Most bathroom projects fall into three scopes:
- Quick updates — new vanity, faucet, toilet, lighting, and mirror
- Tub-to-shower conversions — swap an unused tub for a walk-in shower
- Full remodel — gut the room down to the studs and rebuild
The make-or-break detail is waterproofing. It hides behind the tile, so it's the step DIYers miss most often. A failed shower pan or unsealed wall can rot framing for years before you see it. Done right, it protects everything you spent on the finishes.
Bathrooms are also among the hardest rooms to renovate, and we break down why in our guide to the hardest room to renovate.
The payoff is real, though. An updated bathroom is one of the strongest interior projects for resale, right behind the kitchen. Our bathroom remodeling team handles everything from vanity swaps to full master bath remodels.
Interior Updates: Flooring, Paint, and Basements
Not every renovation means tearing out a kitchen. Some of the most common projects are simpler interior updates that change how your whole home feels.
- Flooring replacement — the most-requested whole-home update; material choice drives the cost more than labor does
- Interior painting — the easiest project on this list, and the one homeowners do most often
- Basement finishing — adds livable square footage without changing your home's footprint
Flooring and paint refresh a home fast. New floors throughout a main level can make a dated house feel new again. Paint does the same for a fraction of the cost.
Basements are a bigger lift, but the payoff is space you already own. A finished basement can become a family room, guest suite, or home office. To count as living space, it needs an egress window, proper insulation, and a permit. Skipping those steps creates problems when you sell.
Whatever interior project you pick, always make sure to spend where it counts.
Outdoor and Exterior Renovation Projects
Not every renovation happens inside the house. Some of the best returns are out front and in the backyard.
Decks lead this category. New deck builds, repairs, and full replacements are some of the most common projects we take on. A wood deck recoups a strong share of its cost at resale, which makes it one of the better-value outdoor projects you can choose.
Curb appeal upgrades round out the list:
| Project | Why It Pays |
|---|---|
| Siding replacement | Protects the structure and refreshes the whole exterior |
| Garage door replacement | Low cost, high visual impact, top resale recoup |
| New entry door | Improves security, efficiency, and first impressions |
| Landscaping | Frames the home and boosts buyer interest |
Exterior projects often deliver the best return of any renovation category. Buyers judge a home before they step inside, and these upgrades shape that first look.
Idaho weather is part of the math here, too. Hot summer sun, winter freeze-thaw cycles, and dry air wear on decks and siding faster than many homeowners expect.
We see this on deck calls all the time. One homeowner asked us to replace a sagging deck. On-site, we found the boards were worn but the frame and footings were solid. A repair and re-deck saved them thousands over a full rebuild.
Which Renovation Projects Add the Most Value?
Knowing which projects are common is one thing. Knowing which ones pay you back is another. Based on national cost-versus-value data, these projects recoup the most at resale:
- Exterior and curb appeal upgrades — garage doors, entry doors, and siding lead the pack
- Minor kitchen renovation — counters, hardware, and paint over a full gut
- Wood deck addition — outdoor living space buyers can see and use
- Bathroom remodel — strong recoup, especially in older homes
Notice a pattern? Smaller, focused projects tend to return more than big ones. A minor kitchen refresh often beats a full luxury renovation on pure payback.
Value and enjoyment are not the same thing, though. Passion projects like pools rarely recoup their cost at resale. That doesn't make them wrong — it just means you should build them for your life, not your listing.
Match the project to your timeline. Selling soon? Stick to the list above. Staying ten years? Build what makes you happy and let the value follow.
Where the money goes matters as much as which project you pick.
How to Start Your Renovation (and When to Call a Contractor)
You know the common projects. You know which ones pay back. Here's how to get yours moving in four steps:
- Define the scope. Write down what changes and what stays. Be specific.
- Set your budget. Include a 10–15% cushion for surprises.
- Check permit needs. Plumbing, electrical, and structural work all require permits in Star.
- Get a consultation. Walk the project with a pro before you commit.
Some projects are safe to tackle yourself. Paint, hardware, and simple fixture swaps are fair game for a handy homeowner. Anything structural, electrical, or behind a wet wall belongs to a professional. The risk isn't just a bad result — it's damage you can't see until it's expensive.
A general contractor handles the parts that stall most projects. We pull the permits, schedule the trades, manage the timeline, and walk the inspections. You make the decisions. We carry the work.
Here's what a first consultation with ATP Construction looks like, straight from Andrew Connell: we walk your space, listen to your vision, and talk honestly about scope and budget before any plans get drawn. No pressure, no surprises. That transparency carries through every stage of the project.
Ready to start? Call us at (208) 741-4371 to contact us and request a free project consultation today!
