She Won $100K in the Lottery. Now She Wants To Renovate Her Home—but How Far Will the Money Get Her?

A lucky retiree from Forestville, MD, recently won $100,000 from a Fast Play lottery ticket. 

Though she wished to remain anonymous, she told the press her plan was to use part of her winnings on home improvement projects.

Despite the increases in tariffs, rendering renovations more expensive, experts agree it is still a smart financial move to invest in renovations as they almost always increase a home value and improve quality of life.

“When homeowners suddenly have a six-figure renovation budget, the smartest move is focusing on projects that dramatically improve how the home looks, feels, and functions. In today’s market, $100,000 can still go a long way if it’s allocated strategically,” says Justin Caballero, president of Revive Design and Renovation in Tampa, FL.

If you find yourself with an unexpected windfall like this, here are some renovations that can make the biggest impact on your home and lifestyle—and fall within a $100,000 budget.

Which high-impact $100K renos are worth it?

Not all home renovations are created equal. While the lottery winner didn’t reveal which projects she’d like to complete, experts say some upgrades are far more valuable than others, such as:

Structural repairs

Foundation crack sealing, joist reinforcement, and wall corrections will run you $5,000 to $20,000, depending on severity. However, if you live in an older or historic home, or your property requires extensive foundation replacement, repair costs may be closer to the $100,000 mark.

“No one presents a restored foundation on social media, but every other upgrade depends on it. If the bones of your home are compromised, it doesn’t matter what your countertops look like,” explains Branden Wells, CEO and founder of TrueCraft Construction in Garden Grove, CA.

While structural repairs won’t necessarily add value to your home, they’ll definitely prevent it from going down.

Roof replacement

Think of your roof as the protector of all the money you’ve spent inside. Replacing an old roof with new architectural shingles that will last around 30 years usually costs between $12,000 to $25,000.

Depending on your situation and priorities, you might decide to splurge on a higher-quality roof, like a slate or metal roof, which might cost $60,000 or more but last decades longer.

“If you notice granules (tiny, sandlike particles) from your shingles inside the gutters or in the attic during the daylight, your roof is already deteriorating and needs to be replaced as soon as possible,” Wells says.

A roof replacement isn’t necessarily “fun” but delivers an average ROI between 48% and 57%.

Kitchen remodels

Not only is the average kitchen ROI 96%, but this project can provide a huge emotional return on your investment as this room is likely where you eat, cook, and socialize. 

“As long as your home is structurally sound, allocating the funds toward a modern kitchen renovation can be a smart move. Kitchen design has evolved significantly over the past several years. Today, there are far more sophisticated options for cabinetry, storage solutions, appliances, lighting, and overall layout,” says Lisa Van Wagenen, licensed real estate associate broker at Brown Harris Stevens in Miami.

Depending on the size and scope of the project, a budget of around $100,000 can often create a kitchen that is both aesthetically current and thoughtfully functional.

Bathroom renovations

Bathrooms are some of the most commonly used rooms in your home. That’s why it’s important to ensure they’re practical, aesthetically pleasing, and free of issues like cracked grout or poor shower pans. 

Danny Niemela, vice president & CFO at ArDan Construction in Scottsdale, AZ, suggests dividing the $100,000 between two medium-range bathroom remodels. While you won’t have enough cash for fully custom or ultraluxury renos, you will be able to make significant upgrades. 

A single bathroom reno delivers an average ROI of 70%.

Basement refinishing

Unfinished basements are essentially untapped square footage. Turning that space into a furnished living area, office, entertainment area, or guest suite can make any home far more attractive.

“From an equity standpoint, it is one of the most efficient ways to add value to your home because you are upgrading a space that already exists,” says Mike Bruce, owner at Bruce Homes Colorado in Denver.

Finishing your basement may cost between $15,000 and $75,000 but can offer a 70% ROI. 

How to prioritize projects

If you come into a financial windfall because you won the lottery, earned a bonus, sold a business, or received an inheritance, for example, it’s up to you to decide which projects to tackle first.

Niemela recommends the 70/30 rule.

“Spend 70% of that money ($70,000) on one room OR a full remodel done at the highest standard with top-notch material finishes and proven contractors. Leave the remaining $30,000 for an add-on project or unexpected expenses,” Niemela explains.

Before you spend a penny on anything cosmetic, however,  Niemela suggests dishing out $400 to $600 on a pre-renovation home inspection. It’s one of the most important tools for budget prioritization.

Bruce agrees and notes that the best strategy is to prioritize the projects that solve functional problems or improve usable space.

“Once you know what needs to be done to keep your house structurally sound, you can focus on the spaces that matter most. And by 'spaces that matter most,' I mean the rooms you use every day,” Niemela says.

Fund the room that gets the most hours first. 

“Your daily comfort should be No. 1 priority when it comes to spending money, so use that as an unbiased metric to guide your decision-making,” adds Niemela.