If you're planning to remodel and debating which room to tackle first, you're not alone. Bathroom and kitchen remodels are the two most common projects we're called about across Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Schaumburg — and they're also the two projects with the most meaningful impact on home value. So which one comes first? The answer depends on your home's current condition, your market, your timeline, and your personal priorities. Here's a thorough breakdown.
The ROI Numbers: What the Data Says
According to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, both bathroom and kitchen remodels in the Chicago metro area recover a significant portion of their investment at resale. Here's what the numbers look like:
- Mid-range bathroom remodel: Average cost ~$25,000, average resale value added ~$18,000 — approximately 72% cost recovery.
- Mid-range kitchen remodel: Average cost ~$80,000, average resale value added ~$45,000 — approximately 56% cost recovery.
- Minor kitchen remodel (cabinet painting, new hardware, new countertops): Average cost ~$28,000, approximately 74% cost recovery — the highest-returning kitchen project.
On a pure percentage-recovery basis, bathroom remodels and minor kitchen updates tend to outperform major kitchen overhauls. But percentages don't tell the whole story in a specific market like the NW Chicago suburbs.
The Chicago Suburbs Context
In markets like Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, and Glenview — where homes routinely sell in the $400,000–$800,000+ range — buyers have strong expectations for both spaces. An updated kitchen in a neighborhood like this is table stakes; a completely outdated kitchen actively suppresses sale price and number of offers. A beautiful bathroom, on the other hand, can be the feature that tips a buyer from interested to committed.
What we observe from years of working in this market: bathrooms close deals; kitchens price them. Buyers often decide whether to make an offer based on the kitchen's bones, but they often make their final decision — and determine their offer price — based on the condition and quality of the bathrooms.
When to Prioritize the Bathroom
Prioritize a bathroom remodel when: your bathroom has visible moisture damage, failing tile, or outdated fixtures that actively concern buyers; you only have budget for one project; your kitchen is already functional and reasonably updated; or you're planning to sell within 1–2 years and want the fastest ROI lift. A bathroom remodel at $12,000–$20,000 is a lower-risk, faster-return investment than a full kitchen overhaul.
When to Prioritize the Kitchen
Prioritize the kitchen when: the layout is genuinely dysfunctional (poor workflow, inadequate storage); cabinets are damaged beyond cosmetic repair; or you're planning to stay in the home for 5+ years and want to dramatically improve daily life. Kitchens have a bigger impact on how a home feels to live in day-to-day. If you spend 3 hours a day in your kitchen and find it frustrating, that quality-of-life case often outweighs the pure ROI calculation.
Can You Do Both?
If budget allows, doing both projects together — or sequencing them within the same year — has advantages. Material coordination is easier, permits can sometimes be combined, and the contractor mobilization cost (time spent on planning, setup, and job startup) is spread across more scope. Homeowners who remodel both the kitchen and primary bathroom at once often report the best overall satisfaction with the project investment.
The Bottom Line
There's no universal right answer, but here's a practical framework: if your bathroom is in poor condition (moisture damage, failing surfaces, outdated to the point of being a deterrent), tackle it first. If your kitchen is functional but dated, a targeted kitchen refresh (new cabinet doors, countertops, hardware, backsplash) often delivers excellent ROI without the full cost of a gut renovation.
At Hammer Remodeling LLC, we work with homeowners across the northwest suburbs to prioritize projects based on their specific goals, budget, and home condition. Call us at (331) 231-2157 for a free consultation and honest advice — no pressure to do more than makes sense for your situation.
Hammer Remodeling LLC has served homeowners across Chicago's northwest suburbs for over 20 years. We specialize in bathroom remodeling, kitchen renovation, tile & flooring, and home repairs — with a licensed crew that does every project ourselves, no subcontractors.