Planning to sell in the next 5 years? A kitchen remodel is consistently the highest-ROI home improvement. Here's what the 2026 data says for our area.
National average ROI: 72%. But in the Sacramento/Placer County market, well-executed kitchen remodels are returning 75-85% of investment at resale. Hot market areas like El Dorado Hills and Folsom see even higher returns.
Highest ROI upgrades: Quartz countertops (buyers expect them), soft-close cabinets, modern lighting, and open-concept layouts. These have become 'baseline expectations' for buyers in our area.
Skip these for ROI: Ultra-high-end appliances (buyers won't pay a premium for them), extremely trendy designs that may date quickly, and over-the-top luxury in a mid-range neighborhood.
The sweet spot: A $30K-$45K kitchen remodel in a $450K-$650K Placer County home typically adds $25K-$38K in value while making your home sell faster. That's before you factor in the years of enjoyment you get from living in it.
Bottom line: remodel your kitchen because you want to love your home. The ROI is the bonus.