Thinking of selling your home someday? Or just want to make a worthwhile investment? Not all home improvements are created equal when it comes to return on investment (ROI). The key is to focus on cost-effective upgrades that immediately boost curb appeal, energy efficiency, and functionality. We've compiled a list of the smartest ways to spend your renovation dollars, focusing on high-value, high-impact projects. 1. The Instant Curb Appeal Boost: Garage Door Replacement Your garage door takes up a significant portion of your home's exterior, making it a critical part of your home's first impression. A modern, well-insulated door is often the single most cost-effective upgrade you can make. Why it works: It dramatically improves curb appeal and perceived value. It also offers practical benefits like better insulation. Average Cost Range (National): $4,500 – $5,500 Estimated ROI: Consistently one of the highest on the market, often recouping over 190% of the cost! 2. A Fresh Face: Exterior Painting Nothing revitalizes a home's look quite like a fresh coat of paint. It's a relatively low-cost project that signals to buyers the home is well-maintained and cared for. If the exterior is sound, a new color can be transformative. Why it works: It provides a huge aesthetic update and protects your home from the elements. It's the ultimate "clean slate" for a new owner. Average Cost Range (Professional): $4,200 – $7,500 (depending on the size and complexity of your home) Estimated ROI: High, with some sources suggesting a 100%+ return when it helps your home sell faster and for a better price. 3. The Welcoming Entrance: Steel Entry Door Replacement Much like the garage door, the front entry door is a focal point. Replacing an old, worn door with a new, insulated steel model provides security, energy efficiency, and a powerful first impression. Why it works: It hits the trifecta of value: security, energy efficiency, and curb appeal. Average Cost Range (National): $2,300 – $3,000 Estimated ROI: Excellent, often recouping over 180% of the cost. 4. Smart Financial Sense: Minor Kitchen Remodel You don't need a full six-figure gut job to get a great kitchen ROI. A minor, mid-range remodel focuses on refreshing the essentials without changing the layout. Think refacing or repainting cabinets, replacing the countertop, upgrading the sink and faucet, and installing new hardware. Why it works: The kitchen is the heart of the home, and an updated one is a massive selling point for almost any buyer. Average Cost Range (National Mid-range): $27,000 – $30,000 Estimated ROI: Very strong, typically recouping over 95% of the cost. 5. Brighten and Polish: Small Bathroom Updates Bathrooms are another key area buyers scrutinize. If you have an older bathroom, you can achieve a huge impact without tearing out walls. Focus on a "cosmetic" refresh: a new vanity, modern light fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, and re-caulking or re-glazing the tub/shower. Why it works: Buyers are looking for spa-like, modernized spaces. Simple fixes eliminate the hassle of a big project for the new owner. Average Cost Range (Cosmetic Refresh): $6,500 – $16,500 Estimated ROI: High, with a mid-range remodel typically recouping around 74% of the cost, and a smaller refresh often providing a better return. 6. Expanding Your Living Space: Wood Deck Addition Outdoor living spaces became more essential than ever in recent years. Adding a wooden deck is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your usable square footage and improve the entertaining value of your home. Why it works: It expands the functional space of your home, which buyers will pay a premium for, especially in mild climates. Average Cost Range (National): $17,000 – $19,000 Estimated ROI: Good, typically recouping around 83% of the cost. 7. The Ultimate Long-Term Investment: Going Solar While the initial upfront cost is higher, installing a residential solar panel system delivers a unique combination of high-value benefits: immediate utility savings, protection against rising energy costs, and a significant boost to home value. It's the upgrade that literally pays you back before you sell. Why it works: Buyers overwhelmingly value energy efficiency. Studies show homes with solar panels sell faster and for a premium. You also benefit from massive monthly utility savings and tax incentives while you live there. Average Cost Range (5 kW System, after tax credit): $8,800 – $12,500 Estimated ROI: Value Increase: Homes with solar panels often see an average value increase of 4% or more. Energy Savings: Long-term energy savings can be substantial, with a typical 25-year savings projection often exceeding $15,000 to $35,000 . The payback period is generally 7 to 9 years , meaning pure savings afterward. By focusing on these strategic upgrades, you can transform your house into a highly desirable, energy-efficient, and modern home that will capture buyer attention and deliver a strong return on your investment.

If your roof has even light hail damage, you could be sitting on thousands in insurance coverage. Don't let your policy pay for everyone else's repairs but yours. The Greater St. Louis area is no stranger to severe weather. From the dramatic thunderstorms in late spring to the damaging hailstorms that can strike with little warning throughout the season, our properties take a beating. For a savvy homeowner or property manager, these storms represent more than just a fleeting headache; they are often the hidden trigger for a fully covered roof replacement. At SunSent Roofing , we’ve seen firsthand how a little bit of knowledge—and a free, professional inspection—can turn what looks like an expensive problem into a fully funded asset upgrade, paid for almost entirely by your insurance company. This is a crucial insider tip that financially smart property owners in the 314 and 636 trust to protect their investment. The St. Louis Storm Season: A Hidden Deadline According to the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI), severe weather has caused billions of dollars in insured losses across the state in recent years, with a high percentage of that attributed to residential property claims. We all remember the severe storms that have swept through the area recently. For example, major weather events like the massive storm in May 2025 and other major hail events in 2023 have resulted in thousands of insurance claims across St. Louis County, St. Charles, and Jefferson County. Here is the critical piece of information that sets successful claims apart: There is a firm deadline to file your claim. While most Missouri insurance policies give homeowners up to one to two years from the Date of Loss to file a claim, many policies are stricter. If you miss that window, your damage—no matter how severe—becomes a 100% out-of-pocket expense. The problem is, hail damage is often invisible from the ground. Many St. Louis homeowners whose roofs were damaged by a storm over a year ago are still eligible for a full replacement, but their time is rapidly running out. You must act now to get a professional assessment and lock in your claim before the insurance deadline passes for that specific storm date. The "Light Damage" Secret: What Adjusters Look For You might think you need missing shingles or a major leak to file a claim. You’d be wrong. The secret that experienced roofing contractors and smart property owners know is this: It only takes light hail impact to void your roof's warranty and compromise its integrity. Insurance carriers are ultimately concerned with the functionality of your roof. Even small, seemingly cosmetic damage can be the difference between a functional, warrantied roof and a failing one. Have questions? Call 636.757.3083 for some quick answers. What Hail Does to Your Roof (That You Can't See): Granule Loss: Asphalt shingles are covered in protective granules that shield the asphalt mat underneath from the sun's harsh UV rays. Hail impacts, even small ones, knock these granules loose, exposing the asphalt. The exposed asphalt deteriorates rapidly, leading to cracking, drying, and eventual failure. Fiber Mat Bruising: A hailstone striking a shingle can create a soft spot, or "bruise," in the fiberglass mat underneath the granules. This damage is often not immediately visible but creates a weak point where leaks will form later, usually after the claim deadline has passed. Damage to Metal and Vents: Hail also dents soft metal components like gutters, downspouts, and roof vents. Adjusters look for these collateral signs of impact to prove the storm's severity. If they see dented vents, they know to look harder at the shingles. When a SunSent Roofing expert does a free, no-obligation inspection, we are looking for this subtle, functional damage that insurance companies are contractually obligated to cover. We document the hail pattern, take photo evidence of the impact sites, and prepare a detailed report using the exact language and scope of work your insurance company requires. The SunSent Advantage: Your Insurance Advocate The insurance claim process can be frustrating, especially when the adjuster's first estimate is often significantly lower than the true cost of a high-quality replacement. This is where partnering with a reputable, local company like SunSent Roofing provides immense value. We are not storm chasers. We are a local St. Louis-based business with a vested interest in the community and a deep understanding of local building codes and insurance claim protocols. Co-Inspection and Advocacy: We are present when the insurance adjuster arrives. Our experts ensure every spot of damage is noted and that the adjuster’s scope covers the full replacement of a damaged slope or the entire roof, not just minor repairs. Supplement Expertise: If the insurance company misses an item—like the cost of code-required ice and water shield or specific flashing—we submit a supplemental claim with compelling evidence to ensure you get full replacement cost value (RCV), not just an outdated estimate. Streamlined Process for Property Owners: We handle all the paperwork, coordinate the materials delivery, and manage the project from start to finish. For busy St. Louis business owners and homeowners, this means one phone call to us and then waiting for your beautiful new roof. We’ve helped dozens of St. Louis property owners file their claims before the deadline for the major 2024 and 2025 storms. Don't miss your window. Get the money your policy entitles you to. FAQ: Your St. Louis Roof Insurance Questions Q: Will filing a claim raise my insurance premium? A: Generally, no, not for a weather-related claim. Claims resulting from large-scale natural disasters (like hail or windstorms) are considered "Act of God" claims. Insurance companies often cannot penalize a single homeowner by raising their individual rate. However, if there is a massive loss event across the entire area, the insurer may raise rates for everyone in that region to offset their overall costs, regardless of whether you personally filed. Filing a claim ensures you benefit from the increase. Q: How much time do I actually have to file a claim in Missouri? A: This is crucial: most policies allow 12 to 24 months from the Date of Loss (the day the storm occurred). You must check your specific policy. Some deadlines are much shorter, especially for certain types of wind damage. The safe answer is to file as soon as damage is confirmed. If you wait, you risk your claim being denied because the insurance company can argue the damage is due to "wear and tear" or "neglect" rather than the storm. Q: What's the difference between ACV and RCV coverage? A: This determines your payout: Actual Cash Value (ACV): The insurance company pays the cost of a new roof minus depreciation (the roof's age). This leaves you paying a significant portion out-of-pocket, as the deductible and the depreciation are subtracted. Replacement Cost Value (RCV): The insurer initially pays the ACV, but once the work is completed and the final invoice is submitted, they release the "recoverable depreciation," covering the full cost of a brand new roof, minus only your deductible. SunSent Roofing primarily works with RCV policies to ensure a full replacement for our clients. Q: The insurance check is less than my deductible. What now? A: This happens often! If the adjuster's estimate is very low—less than your deductible—they will send you a letter but likely no money. Do not give up. This simply means your roof damage was not extensive enough in the adjuster's initial opinion to exceed your deductible. This is the moment to call SunSent Roofing. Our professional inspection may find hidden damage that the adjuster missed. If we find more extensive damage, we will submit our professional estimate and supplemental documents, which often triggers the insurance company to re-evaluate and approve the claim for a full replacement. Q: Can SunSent Roofing help me find the storm date that damaged my roof? A: Yes, absolutely. We use proprietary weather data and high-resolution storm tracking reports that pinpoint the exact dates, times, and hail size that affected your specific St. Louis ZIP code. This is vital evidence we use to properly file your claim against the correct "Date of Loss." Q: I already had my roof "repaired" after a storm, but I still have problems. Can I file another claim? A: You cannot file another claim for the same damage, but you can have us inspect the work. Often, quick or inexperienced repairs (especially from out-of-town "storm chasers") fail to address the core problem, or they simply failed to find the full extent of the storm damage. We can assess the entire roof and look for damage from subsequent storms you may not have claimed yet. Your roof is your home's most important defense. It's time to stop paying out-of-pocket for damage your insurance policy already covers. Contact SunSent Roofing today for a non-invasive roof inspection and full claims consultation. We’ll help you secure your coverage before the deadline closes for good.