Window Boxes, Shelving, Picket Fences Among Top No-Demo Reno Projects

For homeowners looking to spruce up their homes a number of DIY projects using wood rank high on their to-do lists.

As Americans continue to remain in their current homes, unable to move due to high mortgage rates and lack of supply, they are looking at do-it-yourself or low-cost renovations that can add value to their homes and freshen them up.

New research from Zillow and Thumbtack, which track such things, has identified ten “no-demo” renovation projects that are gaining popularity. These all come in at under $5,000 and four of the ten involve using wood to get the job done.

They include:

1. Window boxes: Homes with them according to Zillow can get 48 percent more savings and 52 percent more shares per day compared to similar homes without boxes. Thumbtack says the national average cost for window boxes is $100–$150 for professional installation and $15–$900 for materials.

2. Open shelving: Homes with open shelving can get an additional 37 percent more savings and 45 percent more shares per day, Zillow said. The average cost is $275 for professional installation, without the cost of shelves. Thumbtack reports closet system and shelving installations are up 31.5 percent year over year.

3. Picket fence: Homes with this classic feature can get 27 percent more savings and 31 percent more shares per day on Zillow compared to homes without. The average national cost to install a picket fence is $7–$45 per linear foot. 

4. Pergola: Homes with a pergola can get 20 percent more savings and 24 percent more shares per day on Zillow compared to similar homes without them. The average national cost is $3,600 for a 10-by-10-foot pergola, including labor and materials. 

“Certain low-lift projects can deliver a high payoff because they elevate a home in the mind of a buyer,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “When it’s time to sell, these features may ultimately help a home sell faster or for more money.” “This data can reassure homeowners that they don’t need to undergo a massive renovation to make a big impact on a home and increase buyer appeal,” said Morgan Olsen, Thumbtack’s design expert. “Whether it’s a DIY project or pro-worthy, these small changes can make a significant transformation.”

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