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Exterior Home Renovation – Planning the Job and Supplies
Exterior home renovation is one of the most exciting home improvement projects you can embark on. Not only does it allow you to completely transform your home’s appearance, but it also offers numerous benefits. There are many factors that must be considered before embarking on an exterior home renovation project. These factors can range from budget to time constraints. Regardless of your initial timeframe, there is a perfect way to go about exterior home renovation.
Budget: It is important to first determine the interior and exterior home renovations budget that you have available to spend. Many homeowners overlook this important aspect, and find themselves overextended. There should be an overall expense for both the renovation and the repair of your home’s exterior. This will include any materials and labor costs associated with the project. It is important to break down your total exteriors and interiors budget into daily expenses and long-term expenses. Planning ahead and estimating materials at this stage will prevent budget headaches later.
Time constraint: Before beginning any renovation, it is essential that you take into consideration your home’s timelines. Depending on how often you use your home, there are times when an exterior home improvement may not be practical. For example, if your home is constantly used for outdoor gatherings such as barbeques, then a roof replacement may be more viable than a new patio, driveway, or exterior lighting. In these cases, renovations would not be recommended during normal business hours.
Preparation: Although budget constraints can be a factor in choosing where to begin your home improvement journey, another major factor is preparation. If you are not sure what components of your home need to be renovated, then it is crucial that you begin this task several months in advance. This allows you enough time to complete the tasks involved and research appropriate materials. It is also important to ensure you properly hire a contractor for any job that you wish to have done. You can usually search online for “exterior home renovation” or “home improvement contractors” to help you locate the most qualified professionals near you. Regardless of whether you decide to hire a company for the entire project or for just a few particular areas, you will need to carefully vet each candidate to make sure that they are experienced, skilled, and bonded.
Budget: Once you have decided which components of your home will undergo renovations, you must set a realistic budget for the project. Although it is always preferable to seek the services of a high quality contractor who can provide a fair estimate, pricing for exterior home renovation projects can vary significantly depending on the amount of work needed and the home’s current condition. Furthermore, if you wish to do the majority of the work yourself, you should consider the costs involved in obtaining materials and finding a location for the job that will not affect the overall value of your home. Hiring an experienced local company will ensure that the job is completed within budget and on schedule.
Tools Needed
Whether you decide to hire a professional company or do the entire project yourself, you will require certain tools and supplies. Since most homeowners will be responsible for acquiring these items on their own, it may be preferable to obtain the following items from a rental supply store: power saws, steel wool, hand saws, jigsaw pieces, tape measure, hammer, nails, calking spray, paintbrushes, spackle trowel, and rotary tool. Of course, before you begin any exterior home renovation project, you should seek the advise of your homeowner’s insurance company. They may even provide you with valuable information regarding what supplies you may need in order to successfully complete your project.
Planning and Preparation
One of the most important aspects of any exterior home renovation project is research and planning. It is important to research your home’s surroundings as well as the contractor that you will hire. You should also consider the size and style of your home and the colors and elements that will contribute to the overall design of your home’s exterior. For example, if you are focusing on incorporating tropical elements into your home’s exterior, you may not want to choose brick red for your deck or brick pavers for your driveway.
Once your research has been completed and you have a general idea of what elements of your home will need to be modified or added, you should start contacting local contractors. If you have chosen to remodel your home’s exterior yourself, you may be able to receive discounted pricing on these materials. If you are planning to hire a company to help you out with the project, it is important to make arrangements for the firm to leave a written evaluation or inspection of your home’s exterior before they begin work. This evaluation will outline the work that will need to be done and the price that will be associated with accomplishing this task.