If you can only do one project this year, should it be the kitchen or the bathroom? The right answer depends on whether you’re planning to sell soon or stay for years. Here’s how to think it through.

The short answer

Selling in the next few years? Start with whichever room is most dated, since buyers notice the weakest room. Modest, mid-range updates usually recover more of their cost than high-end ones.
Staying long term? Start with the room that frustrates you most every day.

Why kitchens matter to buyers

The kitchen is the room buyers in Henry County spend the most time looking at, and a dated one can drag down how they see the whole house. But a full kitchen remodel is also the bigger investment, typically $18,000–$35,000 for a mid-range project in McDonough. See our kitchen cost guide.

If you’re selling, a cosmetic kitchen refresh with paint, hardware, lighting, backsplash and possibly counters often gives you most of the visual impact for $8,000–$18,000.

Why bathrooms are often the smarter first step

Bathrooms are smaller, so updates cost less, typically $9,000–$20,000 for a full remodel. They also tend to hide moisture problems that only get more expensive with time. If your bathroom shows any of the warning signs of water damage, fix that first regardless of resale plans.

A side-by-side look

	Kitchen	Bathroom
Typical mid-range cost	$18,000 – $35,000	$9,000 – $20,000
Typical timeline	3–6 weeks	1–3 weeks
Disruption	Higher; plan on a temporary kitchen	Lower if you have a second bathroom
Buyer attention	Very high	High, especially the primary bath

Tips no matter which you choose

Neutral, durable finishes appeal to the most buyers.
Don’t over-improve for your neighborhood. Ask a local real estate agent what comparable homes have.
Fix functional problems like leaks, ventilation and soft floors before cosmetic ones.

Not sure where to start?

We’ll walk both rooms during a free in-home visit and give you honest written estimates for each. Call (770) 896-1828 or request your free estimate.