Home improvement projects are soaring, with homeowners spending an average of $6,649, according to Home Advisor True Cost Report. The report also details how homeowners are now choosing to remodel over selling and moving. In fact, more than 80 percent are planning to stay in their existing homes and half of all respondents are considering a remodel.
You’re in good company if you want to improve your home and see its value rise, but not all renovations are worth the cost. So before you dive into the renovation process, start with these exterior home improvements that will make your house shine.
Replace the roof
Let’s start with the absolute necessities of keeping your home running smoothly. You need a sound roof to keep yourself insulated from the weather and protect the value of your home. Of course, replacing a roof isn’t cheap. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, a new roof increases home resale value by a national average of nearly $12,000. And because you only need to replace your roof every few decades, you should opt for high-quality materials and use a reputable roofer instead of shopping around for the lowest cost possible. After all, you want this roof to protect the value of your home.
Install a backyard pergolas
Landscaping and outdoor touches are big wins for homeowners, and perks that savvy home buyers are looking for. Whether you’re thinking of a well-kept garden or outdoor entertainment area, make sure to mind the details that draw the aesthetic of your yard together. For starters, an outdoor pergola crafted from solid wood, vinyl or metal adds a flourish to your backyard oasis. Be bold and decorate with vines, flowers and lights, and add a bench swing to create a tranquil area to relax.
Jazz up your front door
You can give your home’s curb appeal a refresh with a brand new front door or a new coat of paint. Although the ROI of a new door can be as high as $8,000 and increase your home’s energy efficiency, it’s also a chance to get creative. Paint it bright red or choose a solid wood door to stand-out in your neighborhood and make a statement about your signature style.
Refresh your siding
If you bought your home at a steal but never replaced or painted the tired, out-of-date siding, you could be leaving money on the table. Not only will your curb appeal flourish and increase your home’s value by 76.7 percent of the project’s cost, as reported by Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost Vs. Value Report, but re-siding your home can also boost its energy efficiency. Choose new siding or refresh it with a paint job that ages well and fits into the aesthetics of your neighborhood to retain its value.
Plant more trees
Planting more trees falls into exterior home improvement project homeowners often overlook. But according to reporting from Inman, a mature tree can add $1,000 to $10,000 to the value of your home. Trees also provide amazing shade, boost the natural landscape and aesthetic of your curb appeal, and can make you feel amazing. In fact, a study in the journal Scientific Reports found that trees can actually make us happier. At the end of the day, trees are one of the few things that truly appreciate over time.
The rewarding part about exterior home improvements is you can show off the new style of your home, boost your curb appeal and improve your home’s value all at the same time. Start with the areas that matter most from entertaining in your backyard under an outdoor pergola or flexing your green thumb by planting more trees. The end result is a home you love calling your own.