Winter: Kitchen remodeling

Dreamstime

National average: $13,000-$38,000

Remodeling your kitchen, the heart and hearth of your home, is one of the most rewarding projects a homeowner can take on. It can also be among the most costly and intimidating, so connecting with a reliable kitchen designer and contractor early on is a good idea.

As a bonus, it has an excellent return on investment for your resale value.

The kitchen is often the home’s social center, so think about how you want it to interact with the rest of the home when you’re entertaining.