Before you calculate your numbers, you need to know which type of project you are planning.

• 1. The "Face-Lift" (Minor): You keep your cabinets but update the paint, hardware, and lights. ROI: High. It’s cheap and looks great, but it doesn't fix a bad layout.

• 2. The Full Transformation (Major): We gut the room, put in new custom cabinets, better appliances, and a better layout. ROI: 70-82%. This is where you get the biggest boost in home value in Carlisle.

• 3. Moving Walls (Structural): You want an open-concept kitchen or an addition. ROI: Varies. Truthfully, moving walls is for your happiness. The market doesn't always pay you back 100% for the cost of a steel beam.