What Adds Value to a Home Under $5,000? 12 Upgrades Organized by Budget

You don’t need a five-figure renovation budget to make a real difference in your home’s worth. Some of the most effective cheap ways to increase home value cost just a few dollars, while others make sense to save up for over a few months. To make it easier to plan, we’ve organized 12 proven upgrades into budget tiers, from under $100 all the way up to under $5,000, so you can see exactly what to expect for whatever you’re able to spend.

Note: Every project includes an approximate cost range. Actual pricing will vary based on your location, home size, and whether you DIY or hire a pro, but these estimates should give you a realistic starting point for budgeting your next round of low cost home improvements.

Under $100: Small Fixes, Immediate Impact

These are the easiest cheap ways to increase home value, most can be done in a weekend with tools you probably already have.

• Deep clean and declutter — $0 to $100 A thorough deep clean of the carpets, grout, windows, and baseboards, costs little beyond your own time and a few cleaning supplies. If you’d rather hire it out, a professional deep clean typically runs $100 or less for an average-sized home.
• Re-caulk and re-grout bathrooms — $20 to $75 A tube of caulk and grout, plus an afternoon of work, is enough to make an entire bathroom look newer. This is one of the best returns on investment in the entire list.
• Upgrade cabinet and door hardware — $30 to $100 New knobs, pulls, and door handles for a full kitchen typically run $30 to $100 for budget-friendly hardware, and the visual upgrade is disproportionate to the cost.

Under $500: Noticeable Upgrades on a Modest Budget

This tier is where low cost home improvements start to visibly change how a room or exterior feels.

• Update light fixtures — $150 to $400 Replacing three to five outdated fixtures with modern options, especially in kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms, usually falls in this range, including basic installation.
• Refresh landscaping and curb appeal — $150 to $500 Trimming shrubs, laying fresh mulch, planting a few flower beds, and pressure-washing your driveway or siding can typically be done for $150 to $500, depending on your yard size.
• Replace faucets and fixtures — $150 to $450 New faucets for the kitchen and bathrooms, including fixtures themselves and basic installation, generally run $50 to $150 each.
• Improve energy efficiency — $100 to $400 Weatherstripping doors and windows and installing a programmable or smart thermostat are both affordable, practical upgrades that also lower your monthly utility bills.

Under $1,000: Bigger Visual Payoff, Still Budget-Friendly

• Add a backsplash — $300 to $800 Peel-and-stick options sit at the low end, while professionally installed subway or ceramic tile backsplashes typically land closer to $600 to $800 for an average kitchen.
• Add smart home features — $300 to $800 A smart thermostat, video doorbell, and one or two smart locks usually total $300 to $800 including devices and basic setup, and they signal a well-maintained, modern home.

Under $2,500: Bigger Projects, Still Well Under Five Figures

• Fresh interior and exterior paint — $1,500 to $2,500 Painting the full interior of an average-sized home typically runs $1,500 to $2,500 professionally, while exterior trim and a front door refresh can often be done for a few hundred dollars if you DIY.
• Freshen up flooring — $800 to $2,500 Deep cleaning or refinishing existing hardwood generally costs less than $1,000, while replacing flooring in just one high-traffic room, like an entryway or kitchen, typically runs $1,000 to $2,500 depending on materials.

Under $5,000: The Top of the Budget Tier

• Repaint or replace the garage door — $200 to $3,500 Repainting an existing garage door can cost as little as $150 to $300, while replacing it entirely with a new, energy-efficient model generally runs $1,000 to $3,500 installed. Either option covers one of the largest visual surfaces on your home’s exterior.
• Attic insulation upgrade — $1,500 to $3,500 Adding or upgrading attic insulation is a bigger-ticket item on this list, but it remains well within the budget-tier range and pays off through both energy savings and buyer appeal.

Small Investments, Meaningful Returns

The through-line across every tier is that thoughtful, well-maintained homes tend to appraise and sell better than homes that look neglected, even when the underlying bones are the same. You don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to send that message.

Whether your budget is $50 or $5,000, there are cheap ways to increase home value at every price point, and stacking a few small projects together often adds up to a meaningful shift in how buyers and appraisers perceive your home.

Of course, budget-friendly upgrades work best when they’re paired with reliable systems behind the scenes. A gorgeous new backsplash won’t count for much if your HVAC system fails a week before closing. That’s where a home warranty from Liberty Home Guard comes in, helping you protect the major systems and appliances that keep your home running smoothly while you invest in the low cost home improvements that boost its appeal.

If you’re ready to get more value out of your home without overspending, explore Liberty Home Guard’s coverage plans and see how the right protection can support every improvement you make, big or small.

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