If you’re planning a home remodel in the coming months, you’re not alone. More than 60 percent of homeowners in America hope to carry out projects like that in the near future. Though some are focusing on the interior of their home, others are putting the exterior at the forefront. An exterior remodel can improve a home’s energy efficiency and curb appeal while also boosting property values.
When you take on an exterior home remodel, though, careful, thorough planning is essential. At the very least, it’ll make the project go more smoothly and quickly. Besides that, planning can help you manage expenses and keep your remodeling project on track. Keep the following points in mind to help you plan the perfect exterior remodel for your home.
Work With a Contractor
One of the first measures you should take is to find a contractor to work with. Having help from a contractor will keep costly mistakes at a minimum. It’ll also guarantee you get the results you want from the project. At the same time, contractors know the local building codes and which permits you’ll need to have to stay within the law. A skilled and experienced contractor will help you with the planning process as well to ensure you don’t inadvertently overlook any important details.
Determine the Goals and Scope of Your Remodel
Next, you’ll want to decide what your purposes are for the exterior remodel and just how far you want to go with project. Are you only interested in making minor repairs and refreshing the outside of your house, or do you want to completely change its appearance? Will you be focusing on siding, or do you also want to replace windows, doors, and roofing materials? Do you want to add an outdoor living space to your home? Those are crucial questions to answer and discuss with your contractor before moving forward.
Set a Budget
From there, you’ll need to set a budget, which is another area in which a contractor will be essential. Your contractor can explain exactly which expenses you’ll be looking at depending on what your goals are with the remodel. Be sure to stick to that budget during the project too. It’s certainly easy to get lost in the possibilities and keep adding new details along the way, but that will leave you spending more than you planned for. That, in turn, creates financial hardships down the road for many homeowners.
Choose Your Materials
Choosing which materials to use during the remodel is also an essential step in the planning process. You have a long list of options to choose from. Vinyl, stucco, and fiber cement are popular choices in siding, and all of them are durable and resistant to the elements. At this point, blending vinyl or fiber cement siding with brick, stone, or rock veneer is a rising trend. It adds interest and visual appeal to a home. For roofs, metal, asphalt shingles, and clay tiles continue to be popular options. Those are only a few of the possibilities.
The materials you choose will play a major role in determining the overall cost of the project. They’ll also affect your home’s appearance and energy efficiency. Though staying within your budget is important, it’s best not to cut corners on materials. If you find yourself creeping toward the high end of your budget before accounting for all the changes you want to make, it may be better to cut some of the non-essential features you’re considering adding to your home to allow more money for high-quality materials.
Updating Your Home With an Exterior Remodel
Several steps go into planning an exterior remodel. Those listed here are some of the most crucial whether you’re considering making small changes or completely transforming the exterior of your house. Working with a contractor will help ensure you cover all the bases. It’ll also guarantee the finished project meets your needs and expectations without exceeding your budget.