Home Value
Selling in DC? 7 Remodeling Projects Worth Doing and 5 to Skip
By All Purpose Anytime Services LLC
Some projects make buyers fall in love. Others are money you'll never see again. Here's the list, plus one DC rule that decides what you can touch outside.
Worth doing
- Fresh paint throughout
- Refinished or replaced floors
- A kitchen refresh: hardware, lighting, counters
- Bathroom fixtures and caulk
- Fixing anything an inspector will flag
- Updated light fixtures
- Clean, working doors and trim
Skip it
- A full gut remodel right before listing
- Highly personal finishes
- Luxury upgrades the neighborhood won't pay for
- Converting a bedroom to something unusual
- Big structural changes with long permits
The DC rule
In a historic district, any exterior change visible from the street needs Historic Preservation Review Board approval before the Department of Buildings issues a permit. Plan outside work early, or keep it inside.