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Repiping a house is a worthy investment in several scenarios. Key indicators that it's time to repipe include having pipes that are over 50 years old, experiencing frequent leaks and repairs, or noticing signs of corrosion and low water quality. It is especially important to replace pipes made from certain materials; lead pipes can cause serious health issues, galvanized steel can lead to rusty water, and polybutylene pipes can leach chemicals into your water supply.

Investing in new plumbing can prevent costly problems like water damage and mold growth. New pipes can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years, saving you money on future repairs and high water bills. Repiping can also increase your home's overall value and improve efficiency, for example, by using PEX pipes for lines that don't carry hot water. The cost to repipe a house typically ranges from $1,500 to $15,000.

Yes, an outdoor kitchen can increase your home's value, as outdoor living areas are increasingly popular among potential homebuyers. The return on investment (ROI) can vary significantly, with estimates ranging from 50% to as high as 200%. In many cases, homeowners can expect to at least break even on the project. The final ROI depends on several factors, including the kitchen's size, design, and quality, the materials used, and whether it was professionally installed. Other considerations that impact value are your home's location, how well the kitchen is maintained, and how soon you sell after the remodel. However, be mindful that an outdoor kitchen that takes up a large portion of your usable yard space could be seen as a drawback by some buyers.

In most cases, installing a tennis court on your property will drive up your property taxes. Property taxes are determined, in part, based on improvements made to your property, which includes anything with a permanent foundation. Since most home tennis courts include a large concrete foundation, your property taxes will likely increase following the installation. A general rule of thumb is that if your project requires permits—like for a foundation or fencing for a tennis court—then your property taxes will be affected.

Adding a second story can increase the resale value of your home, but your cost-to-value ratio might not give you the return on investment (ROI) you were looking for. Also, there are factors to keep in mind that can impact the value of your home, such as market conditions, your neighborhood, curb appeal, and functionality. If you’re hoping this project will give you a significant ROI, talk with a realtor to see what potential increase you can expect and what you can do to maximize your home’s value.