If you’re trying to sell your house, you’re probably going to need to grab a paint brush — or at least a phone to call a contractor. But as you fix up the place, keep a close eye on costs, as major remodeling projects rarely add to a seller’s bottom line.

Even a minor, mid-range kitchen remodeling project in the Washington area would cost about $21,000, and a major “upscale” kitchen upgrade would cost $110,521, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report. That report seeks to estimate the costs of common remodeling projects, as well as how much of the investment will be recouped at resale.