Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by Dwyane
Did you know that exterior painting yields one of the highest ROIs for home improvement projects?
Let’s think about it for a second. You’d be hard-pressed to find any homeowner who hasn’t spent thousands of dollars upgrading kitchens and bathrooms. Yet… Putting that money into projects that are focused on the interior will net you lower returns.
Many of them, in fact, won’t come close to breaking even.
That’s because home exterior improvements return more bang for your buck than interior projects. What’s more? They’re often less expensive and faster to complete.
Zonda’s latest Cost vs. Value Report revealed that 4 out of the 5 projects with the highest ROI are exterior improvements. Guess what happened before those projects were completed? You got it… Surface preparation.
Okay, before diving into all of that let’s take a look at what this article covers:
What you’ll discover:
- Why Your Home’s Exterior Appearance Impacts Value More Than You Realize
- The Exact ROI You Can Expect From Exterior Home Improvements
- Outdoor Surface Prep is 90% of Success
- The Highest Paying Exterior Upgrades
Ready? Let’s go!
Why Your Home’s Exterior Appearance Impacts Value More Than You Realize
The exterior of your home is the first thing that buyers see. It creates an impression before they even step foot onto your property.
If your house’s exterior looks cared for and clean, that’s exactly what buyers will assume you’ve done for the rest of the house.
Paint that is peeling, brick that is crumbling, or wood that is rotting? Buyers will assume that kind of negligence has been applied to the rest of your home as well.
Painting and outdoor surface preparation, however, offers a way to make your home shine like new and increase curb appeal.
Doing so can help your home sell for up to 7% more than similar homes that have worn-down exterior appearances.
Plus… Keep in mind that curb appeal is more than just slapping a fresh coat of paint on your siding. In order to truly set yourself up for success, you need to start with proper outdoor surface preparation. Paint won’t stick to dirty, uneven surfaces!
Peeling paint? Cracked stone veneer? You guessed it… Nothing you spend money on will look great or last without proper surface prep work.
One of the best ways to ensure that every dollar you spend goes the furthest it can is by refreshing your home with quality exterior painting services. Prep work is important to achieving a quality paint job.
From start to finish, their team guarantees you’ll be more than satisfied with the work. That’s why they won’t start painting until they’ve properly prepped your exterior surfaces.
The Exact ROI You Can Expect From Exterior Home Improvements
As mentioned above, exterior projects are literally money makers.
Garage door replacement returns 194% on your investment. Steel entry door replacement returns 188%. Manufactured stone veneer returns 153%.
You read that correctly.
No paint project made the top 20, and that’s because they range from 102-125% ROI.
Still not convinced? Painting your home’s exterior has been shown to increase home value by up to 5%. That’s $15,000 on a $300,000 home!
And while money is great, you’ll also be creating a protective layer for your home’s exterior. Elements like sun, rain, wind, and fluctuating temperatures can quickly take their toll on exterior surfaces. Painting keeps them in tip-top shape.
Talk about getting two benefits for the price of one.
Outdoor Surface Prep is 90% of Success
Here’s a fun fact most people don’t know.
The longevity of any paint or finish job is determined by the quality of the prep work that comes before it.
If there are areas of your home’s exterior that haven’t been properly cleaned, scraped, sanded, and primed… Your new paint won’t stick.
Instead, you’ll be left with an ugly finish that starts peeling in a fraction of the time it should.
Painting contractors know this all too well, which is why quality exterior painting services don’t begin with a paint brush. They start with a thorough surface preparation of your home’s exterior.
Everything from power washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, filling, and priming should be done BEFORE painters show up to your house.
Think about building a house. You wouldn’t start by constructing the walls without a foundation first, would you? It’s no different for exterior surface preparation.
The Highest Paying Exterior Upgrades
You’ve got the knowledge. Now let’s talk about what exterior upgrades will net you the biggest returns.
According to Zonda’s latest Cost vs. Value Report, these are the home improvements you should be considering if you want to get the most bang for your buck.
Exterior Painting
Painting is one of the most affordable ways to update your home’s appearance. Not only will you reap the benefits of a fresh coat of paint by increasing your home value by up to 5%, but you’re also providing a layer of protection against the harsh elements.
Keep in mind that neutral colors like white, grey, and beige typically have the most broad appeal when it comes to potential buyers.
Entry Door Replacement
What do buyers notice first when they pull up to your home? You got it… The entry door. Replacing your current door with a steel entry door is one of the least expensive exterior projects you can complete. Not only will you make a strong first impression, but you’ll receive nearly a 188% return on your investment!
Garage Door Replacement
Garage door replacement hands you the winner’s check at 194% ROI. Replacing your garage door will completely transform how your home looks from the street view.
Stone Veneer
Adding stone veneer to your home adds texture and visual interest. Not to mention it delivers roughly a 153% ROI!
Landscaping & Hardscaping
You can’t forget about your lawn when trying to increase your curb appeal. Simple things like fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, and defined walkways can truly make your home sell for more. It’s the icing on the cake if you will.
Pro tip: All of these projects benefit from outdoor surface preparation.
Wrap-Up
Upgrading your home’s exterior appearance shouldn’t be seen as a luxury. It’s an investment that you can easily get paid back for… In some cases, you’ll even make a profit!
Here’s a quick recap:
- Exterior projects provide you with a higher ROI than interior projects
- Painting your home can increase your home value by up to 5%
- Proper outdoor surface preparation is critical
- Entry doors, garage doors, and stone veneer provide some of the highest returns
- Don’t forget landscaping
You know what they say… You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make sure you’re setting yourself up for success by starting with proper surface preparation.
