How to Choose Home Improvement Projects You Won't Regret

A home renovation starts as an exciting prospect for homeowners, but many come away disappointed. More than half of homeowners (58%) have at least one regret about a recent renovation project. The most common regret? Spending too much money.[1]

Still, nearly two out of three homeowners would rather renovate than move to a home that’s already been remodeled[1], and more than half of homeowners are planning a renovation project in 2026.[2] With the ongoing popularity of upgrades, understanding why the regrets happen is the first step to avoiding them.

What fuels renovation regrets?

In a separate survey, more than half of homeowners reported overall beautification as a top reason to renovate, while almost as many wanted to update old designs or styles.[3] Yet aesthetic updates and stylistic changes were also among their top regrets. Forty-three percent of respondents wished they had not created an accent wall, added bright wallpaper, or repainted walls, while 41% were disappointed over kitchen cabinet updates.[3]

On the other hand, projects related to energy efficiency, operating cost savings, and long-term maintenance reductions rank at the bottom of homeowners’ stated priorities, but these are not listed among the regrets at all. Plus, they have two primary benefits.

First, they typically deliver the highest returns. Exterior doors and siding lead with the highest return on investment, while only one interior upgrade, a minor kitchen remodel, is listed in the top five.[4]

Second, upgrades like these can prevent higher costs and stress later. Postponing a water heater replacement, for example, can result in flooding and an expensive emergency call to your plumber.

A smarter way to prioritize home upgrades:

Not every home improvement has to be a financial decision, but it helps to think analytically about your project before you begin. If the data shows anything, it's that the projects homeowners skip are often the ones they should start with. Consider organizing your renovation priorities this way:

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to follow a rigid order; it’s to be intentional about what work gets done first. Know what your project will — and won’t — do for you before you begin.

Your wants still matter.

Aesthetic upgrades are not a mistake. If your project improves your daily life and fits your budget, consider it an investment in your well-being. After all, the thing you want most — a larger primary bedroom, finished basement, or upgraded kitchen — may also be the thing you need so your home can continue to serve your family and your lifestyle.

Avoiding regret doesn’t mean giving up improvements that will turn your house into your dream home. It means making deliberate choices, weighing current and future wants and needs, rather than letting excitement set the budget.

In the end, despite any regrets, 92% of renovators reported a positive impact from their projects.[5] Those homeowners didn’t necessarily choose the highest-ROI upgrades. They chose projects that were right for them, both personally and financially.

More than half of last year’s renovation projects were funded with a home equity loan or line of credit.[6] Talk to your Loan Officer about whether home equity could fund your next renovation.

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Sources:

[1] Clever, “New Data: Half of Homeowners Can’t Afford Necessary Renovations,” February 16, 2026.

[2] Houzz Research, “2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends,” April 22, 2026.

[3] Moneywise, “Home renovations: Unaffordable, unbearable and seemingly unavoidable,” October 2, 2024.

[4] Zonda, “2025 Cost vs. Value Report,” September 18, 2025.

[5] Clever, New Data: Home Renovation Trends in 2024,” October 7, 2024.

[6] National Association of REALTORS® Research Group, “2025 Remodeling Impact Report,” April 2025.