Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner

Five Common Exterior Remodeling Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them

331 views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  kevinmckenzie 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Home is a place of relaxation and recreation. It's usually the place you look forward to after a long day at work or school, so when it's time to fix or replace things, how do you go about it? Here are five common exterior remodeling mistakes that many homeowners commit without realizing it:

Tearing Out Walls or Siding

Today, do-it-yourself home projects have become quite popular. However, while this approach may save you money, and even showcase your creativity, some DIY projects could also cost you a lot, especially plumbing, rewiring, insulation, or siding work that requires you to get behind your walls. Untested homeowners that dive headlong into these tasks without the proper tools or preparation quickly find themselves steeped in a DIY nightmare, so what's the better way to tackle these types of deconstructive tasks?

Recommendation: Leave Demolition and Behind-the-Wall Work to Professionals

Sometimes you simply need to step back and leave it to the experts. Pro remodelers have their own equipment, safety gear, and are trained to work on different types of home. As you know, a ranch-style home has different needs than a Victorian estate. Some older houses also need to be treated differently than modern ones. An expert home remodeler can also draw on his or her experience to provide a more specific idea of important project details, like budget, timeline, and overall design scheme.

Opting for Cheaper Paint

Let's face it: many homeowners look for the most cost-effective products, and in many cases, that means some sort of inexpensive, "good-enough" brand. It's totally understandable, and in certain cases, the best approach. However, in most instances, those homeowners get what they pay for. When it comes to paint, an inexpensive product may require you to apply multiple coats, and even then, cheaper paints may not be waterproof or chemically compatible with the surfaces being painted over. In general, a cheap paintjob will rarely deliver the expected bang for your buck.

Recommendation: Research and Ask Around

Get some reviews from neighbors that have recently repainted their home, especially if any of them have recently organized a similar project. Next, ask your local paint seller about their most popular and well-reviewed offerings. These seemingly little things will help you make smarter choices. Also, don't be too afraid to spend a little more, if your budget permits. The added investment up front could save you from wasting more time and money in the long run.

Overlooking Critical Repair Areas

All right, so you're organizing a kitchen remodel next month. Perfect! Question is, are you addressing functional concerns or aesthetic ones? Look around your home. Check your roof, garage, flooring, and walls. You may discover that you need new siding more than a kitchen facelift. One of the most common remodeling mistakes that people make is spending more on improvements that are pleasing to the eye rather than those that are necessary.

Recommendation: Look Around, Take Pictures, and Write Down What You See

Prioritize your home improvement checklist based on immediate need. To do this, spend some time looking around your home. Take pictures of your exterior, inspect your windows and walls, and notate what you see. Do you think that paintjob will last another three years? Will your current siding be able to withstand five more winters? If you decide to put your money where your home needs it most, you will thank yourself for it later.

Choosing What's Trendy Over What's Best for Your Home

So, you saw that super cool wall color or newly released siding product on TV, and you can't wait to use it on your home. Hold your horses and resist the urge to jump aboard the trend train, because not all popular exterior upgrades are suitable for your home. Also, it's important to note that trendy renovation concepts typically have short life spans, fading from prominence just as quickly as they rise to it. After the hype is gone, where does that leave your home in terms of marketability and resale value?

Recommendation: Consult Remodeling Experts to Determine the Most Feasible-and Futureproof-Renovations for Your Home

Your home deserves the best exterior renovations-solutions that are secure, stylish, and durable-because at the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary and, likely, your greatest asset. As such, you consult with exterior remodeling experts to determine which trends have the strongest staying power.
 
See less See more
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top