Exterior Remodeling Projects
Exterior Remodeling Projects – How to Easily Add Value with a Few Simple Tweaks
Across the country, droves of Americans choose to remodel their houses every year. Whether they are looking to sell the house on the market or just want to improve the look and feel, homeowners are turning to contractors for expert advice when it comes to updates and upgrades. This makes you, a construction professional, a unique advisor to recommend designs and updates that will improve living conditions and bring more money to the bottom line sales price. Kitchen and bath projects steal the show, but they’re also typically the most expensive upgrades – you could be missing out on sharing some cost-effective upgrades that could really change the look and feel of a house. With survey data from the National Association of Realtors, we’ve comprised a list of exterior remodeling tweaks, facelifts, and structural improvements that will convey value on the market and increase overall curb appeal.
The Roof Over Your Head
Roofing is an overlooked part of a home’s exterior – often the quality and condition of a roof is taken for granted until disaster strikes in the form of leaks or material deterioration. New roofs bring long-lasting durability and energy benefits to homes of all ages; keep the elements outside and either cool or hot air inside so you’re not constantly battling the thermostat. If a house, and more importantly, a roof is not structurally sound, it will be a liability in the long run and won’t fetch top money on the housing market. The National Association of Realtors report estimates that when installing a new roof on a house destined for market, a homeowner recovers 105% of the installation costs in the final sales transaction.
First Impressions
When you pull up to a house, what’s the first thing you notice? Curb appeal is extremely important in the housing market – what kind of first impression does the property make from a glance? Upgrades like a new garage door, a new main door, landscaping, trim work and even a few coats of paint can dramatically change people’s first impressions. These simple changes can seriously change the way a property looks from the street, which is indicative of the quality of the rest of the property. The best thing about these simple changes – they’re cheap. The National Association of Realtors data suggests that homeowners can recover 87% or more of the costs associated with these facelift items – not bad for low-labor intensive updates.
Don’t Worry – It’s Plastic
In the construction world today, we’re seeing an explosion in composite building materials…plastics, alloys, and other hybrid products that mimic traditional materials, but are cheaper to procure, install and maintain. Vinyl siding is one of those products that is revolutionizing finishing construction on the outside of homes. Typically in the past, various types of wood were used for finishing touches on exteriors, which proved to be durable but required applications of paint and regular maintenance. Vinyl siding, outside of a few routine scrubs, is virtually maintenance-free compared to wood. Vinyl siding will also improve the look and feel of a home’s exterior, meaning it’s a cost-effective way to freshen up the appeal of the structure itself. The NAR report holds that homeowners will recover 83% of the costs associated with vinyl siding exterior upgrades.
Through the Looking Glass
Believe it or not, windows are a feature that adds substantial value to homes. Old, outdated windows can have leaky seals which means the outside elements come in all too often. Drafty single-pane windows also increase energy costs in the long run, forcing the homeowner to spend more money to heat or cool a home. It’s important to educate yourself on the different types of windows, their applications, and the parts that comprise them…single-pane versus dual-pane, casement-style windows versus double-hung windows, etc. While there are great wood frame and fiberglass frame options, vinyl windows are typically the most cost-effective items that keep the elements out and give you a nice, finished look. The only drawbacks that the frames can’t be painted or stained, and there’s fewer hardware options available. At the end of the day, the NAR report shows that homeowners typically recover 80% of the cost associated with window replacements in the final sale value of their homes.
In conclusion, these simple exterior upgrades can dramatically change how a property looks and feels – which at the end of the day, directly influence the market price. Before you start tearing apart kitchens and baths for extensive overhauls, work through the list above to see if there’s some cost-effective changes you can bring to the table as a contractor. You never know what a few simple tweaks might do for a house…
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