What the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report means for New Jersey homeowners
Compare 2025 regional resale estimates for roofs, siding and windows with Future Remodeling's New Jersey job costs, then plan your next project.
Roofing, siding and window projects have different estimated resale returns, according to the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com). For New Jersey homeowners, the useful starting point is the Middle Atlantic region, followed by a close look at what your own home needs.
Here is what the report says about those projects, what its numbers leave out and how they compare with Future Remodeling's completed New Jersey jobs.
What the Report Is
Released in September 2025, the report is its 38th edition. It compares the cost of a defined sample project with an estimate of the value that work adds when the home sells. Project costs include a standard 10 percent markup on materials and labor.
Resale values come from a survey of more than 6,000 real estate professionals. They are estimates of a project's contribution at sale, not the sale prices of homes. The share of the project cost represented by that estimated contribution is the report's "cost recouped."
The 2025 report has no New Jersey city. Its Middle Atlantic cities are in New York and Pennsylvania, so the regional number is the closest published benchmark. Read it as regional context rather than a New Jersey average or an estimate for your house.
What It Says for Our Region
Each comparison below starts with the Middle Atlantic estimate, then gives the national estimate for the same sample project. The resale amount is the estimated value added at sale.
| Project | Middle Atlantic job cost | Middle Atlantic resale value | Middle Atlantic cost recouped | National job cost | National resale value | National cost recouped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof replacement | $37,201 | $21,680 | 58.3% | $31,871 | $21,501 | 67.5% |
| Metal roof replacement | $60,116 | $27,270 | 45.4% | $51,865 | $25,972 | 50.1% |
| Fiber-cement siding replacement | $25,666 | $25,475 | 99.3% | $21,485 | $24,420 | 113.7% |
| Vinyl siding replacement | $21,175 | $20,391 | 96.3% | $17,950 | $17,313 | 96.5% |
| Vinyl window replacement | $23,986 | $15,387 | 64.1% | $22,073 | $16,657 | 75.5% |
Roof Replacement
For asphalt shingle roof replacement, the Middle Atlantic job cost is $37,201, with an estimated resale contribution of $21,680 and 58.3% of cost recouped. Nationally, the job cost is $31,871, the estimated resale contribution is $21,501 and the cost recouped is 67.5%.
For metal roof replacement, the Middle Atlantic job cost is $60,116, with an estimated resale contribution of $27,270 and 45.4% of cost recouped. Nationally, the job cost is $51,865, the estimated resale contribution is $25,972 and the cost recouped is 50.1%.
Siding Replacement
For replacement, the Middle Atlantic job cost is $25,666, with an estimated resale contribution of $25,475 and 99.3% of cost recouped. Nationally, the job cost is $21,485, the estimated resale contribution is $24,420 and the cost recouped is 113.7%.
For vinyl siding replacement, the Middle Atlantic job cost is $21,175, with an estimated resale contribution of $20,391 and 96.3% of cost recouped. Nationally, the job cost is $17,950, the estimated resale contribution is $17,313 and the cost recouped is 96.5%.
Both siding projects come close to their sample costs in the regional estimates. That is useful context when weighing siding work, but it does not promise that a particular house will recover its project cost.
Window Replacement
For vinyl window replacement, the Middle Atlantic job cost is $23,986, with an estimated resale contribution of $15,387 and 64.1% of cost recouped. Nationally, the job cost is $22,073, the estimated resale contribution is $16,657 and the cost recouped is 75.5%.
© 2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware Corporation. Complete data from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
What the Report Does Not Tell You
Resale is an opinion survey. It cannot tell you what a buyer will pay for your particular home or guarantee a return. Keep the estimate of value added separate from the full sale price and from the contractor's price for the work.
A failing roof can also hurt a sale and raise concerns during an inspection. The recouped percentage alone does not answer whether a roof that needs replacement should be left as it is. Start with its condition, then consider the resale estimate.
Energy savings and day-to-day comfort are not counted in these resale figures. If those matter to your window or exterior project, consider them separately rather than treating the report as a complete measure of the benefit.
How to Decide
- Start with condition. Identify what needs attention before ranking projects by their estimated resale return. Our guide to repairing or replacing a roof can help frame that discussion.
- Match the scope. Compare roof size, layers and complexity with the work in your written estimate. Use the report as context when reading our guides to siding costs and window replacement costs.
- Consider your plans. If you expect to sell, discuss the property's condition and the report's estimates with your real estate professional. If you plan to stay, include comfort and energy goals in your decision alongside the work your home needs.
- Use your own estimate to budget. A regional sample does not set the price of your project. Have the proposed work explained before deciding what fits your budget.
How Future Remodeling Handles This
At a free inspection, your project consultant reviews the work your home needs and provides a written estimate. Ask how your scope compares with the report's sample project. You can review our roofing, siding and window services or call (201) 371-5515 to discuss an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a new roof increase home value in New Jersey?
The Cost vs. Value Report estimates that roof replacement adds value at sale, but its regional figures are survey opinions rather than a prediction for your house. A failing roof can also hurt a sale or raise inspection concerns. Consider the roof's condition alongside the estimated resale return.
Is fiber cement siding worth it?
The report's Middle Atlantic estimate puts fiber cement siding's resale contribution close to its sample project cost. That makes it worth considering, but it does not promise that you will get your full cost back when you sell. Compare the work your home needs, your budget and how long you plan to stay before choosing between fiber cement and vinyl.
Why is the report's roof cost higher than my estimate?
The report prices one fixed sample specification. Your New Jersey home may have a different roof size, number of existing layers or level of complexity. Compare the proposed scope rather than treating the report as a price list. A free inspection gives you a written estimate for your home.
Does the report include New Jersey cities?
The 2025 edition has no New Jersey city. Its Middle Atlantic cities are in New York and Pennsylvania, so the regional figures are the closest published benchmark. They are not a New Jersey average or a substitute for a project estimate.
Recap
- The Middle Atlantic figures are the closest published benchmark for New Jersey.
- The report compares defined sample projects with surveyed estimates of value added at sale.
- Our completed jobs describe our own work, and their scope differs from the report's samples.
- Condition, your plans and a written estimate should guide the decision.
To find out what your home's roof, siding or windows need, get a free estimate.