Before you start a major project, it's probably a good idea to know what your return on investment (ROI) is going to be.  How much does a similar project cost in your area and how much should you expect to recoup from that project?  Of course other factors will play into your renovation; such as, how do I want my home environment to look and feel, what are my needs in this space? 

The Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine is considered the standard in the home improvement industry for average remodeling costs in different segments of the country.   It also shows you the value (in both dollar figures and as a percentage of cost) that can be recouped from those projects.  Simply follow the steps below to obtain your free copy of the report so you can plan your project wisely.  We think you'll find it to be an invaluable tool.

1.  From the icon below, click on the red link that says "Click to Start".

2.  Hover over and click the are that includes Illinois.  Illinois is part of the 5-state East North Central Region. 
    (Alternately, you can choose a specific job that you are interested in from the Projects tab and proceed to retrieve regional data for that project only).

3.  Choose "Chicago" (costs vary widely by region and Chicago figures will differ from other parts of Illinois and other major cities in the East North Central Region).

4.  Choose your desired report year from the "Select Another Year" drop-down menu.

5.  Click the "Download City Data" link.

6.  You will be required to give your contact information and below that, there is an explanation of how your information is to be used and their privacy policy.

7.  Once you register, you are free to download the report.