Should you pay for that home improvement?

The latest data shows the money-losing nature of most home improvements is getting worse because of the poor housing market, not better.

In 2005, the average project boosted the home's resale price by 86.7% of the job's cost, according to an annual survey by Remodeling magazine. After years of unbroken decline, that figure fell to 63.6% in the 2009-2010 survey, with the average project costing $50,908 and adding only $32,497 at the sale.

The most valuable projects, in terms of percentage of cost recouped at sale, are exterior work that enhances curb appeal, the magazine says. Many of these, such as door and window replacements, are also among the cheapest projects.

Among the 21 "mid-range" projects of relatively modest cost, the only one to turn a profit was entry door replacement, a $1,172 job that returned 128% of its cost. The attic bedroom returned 83.1% of its cost, the wood deck, 80.6%, vinyl siding, 79.9%, minor kitchen remodeling, 78.3%, and wood window replacements 77.3%.

The biggest money losers were home office remodeling, which recouped just 48.1% of its cost, sunroom additions, which garnered 50.7%, backup power generators, which retrieved 58.9%, bathroom additions, which recouped 59.5% and garage additions, 62.2%.

The magazine's survey only covers work done by contractors. Do-it-yourselfers may turn a profit if they don't count the cost of their own labor. Additionally, painting and minor landscaping may pay for themselves as they make a home more appealing to buyers.