Full home exterior renovations are seriously one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner.
Done correctly, they transform the look, and value of your property. To someone that hasn’t done it before though, it can seem daunting. But take it one step at a time and before you know it, you’ve got a street-sign-worthy exterior.
Here’s how to nail it.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why exterior renovations are worth the effort
- Planning your home exterior renovation correctly
- Best driveway design ideas
- Tackling exterior renovation projects step by step
- Lighting up your home’s exterior
- How to budget correctly for exterior renovations
Exterior Renovations Will Double Your Investment
Let’s start with the numbers.
4 of the top 5 renovations by return on investment this year are exterior projects, with all of them returning over 90% of their initial spend. Compare that to interior renovations and it really makes you sit up and take notice.
Garage doors were sitting at a remarkable ROI of 268% just by installing some brand-new hardware.
If those numbers don’t convince you, then nothing will.
The exterior of your home is the first thing people notice about your property. It sets the tone and builds curb appeal before buyers or guests even step foot on your land.
They don’t make exterior renovations a TOP priority for every home remodel because it looks nice. They do it because it also happens to be one of the best financial decisions you’ll make.
So how do you get it right? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Start With A Plan (and not a shovel!)
The most common mistake homeowners make is rushing into renovations.
Typically, that means hitting up the hardware store for a shovel and starting to dig. Before you know it, the bank account has been emptied and the driveway has turned into a muddy swamp.
If you want your renovation project to actually look good and finish on budget, take your time during the planning phase. This should involve:
- Walking around the full perimeter of your property and noting everything that needs renovating or replacing
- Taking photos of any areas that need special attention (cracked paths, blistering paintwork etc)
- Checking for any local council requirements or permit needs that may apply
- Getting 3 quotes minimum from licensed contractors who can help with your project
The planning stage of your home renovation is Make-or-Break.
Research shows most homeowners spend twice as long planning as they do building or renovating — that’s no coincidence. Don’t leave any stone unturned during this phase. The more prepared you are before day one, the smoother your renovation will go.
Budgeting for Your Renovation Correctly
Budgeting is where most amateur exterior renovations fall over.
Over 75% of homeowners go over budget on their renovation projects, with 44% going over their estimate by $5,000 or more. Ouch.
The key to avoiding budget blowouts? Budget for mistakes.
Include a 15–20% contingency in your budget from the get-go. Professionals include this buffer for a reason — because unexpected problems ALWAYS pop up.
You can start by focusing your efforts and budget on the home exterior elements that matter most. Front driveways, exterior painting, doors and landscaping options are all inexpensive ways to make a big visual impact.
Step 2: Pick Your Driveway Design Ideas Carefully
Believe it or not, your driveway is the cornerstone of your home’s exterior.
It sets the tone for everything you build on afterwards, so choosing the right driveway design ideas is paramount.
For anyone ready to install a driveway, Adelaide Concrete — run by Craig Trewin, one of Australia’s leading concrete contractors — is a trusted resource with a strong reputation for delivering quality results.
Here are some of the most popular surface options contractors are installing right now:
- Exposed aggregate concrete
- Stamped concrete
- Brushed plain concrete
- Coloured concrete
- Paved or brick driveway
Obviously the surface you choose will affect the price of your project. For example, plain concrete is the cheapest to install but won’t wow your guests.
Coloured concrete runs at the higher-end of the budget but can create a truly eye-catching driveway.
Whatever you choose, make sure it complements the rest of your home and LANDSCAPING. That driveway will be there for a long time, make sure you pick the right finish.
Once you know EXACTLY what you want, it’s time to move onto….
Step 3: Work From Large To Small
With your driveway finalised, you can now work through the rest of your exterior renovation checklist.
An efficient renovation plan attacks the home from largest, most structural element to smallest.
Here’s what that means.
Roofing and gutters: always check these two things before starting any cosmetic work. There is no point laying new slabs and painting your fences if your roof is falling in or gutters are clogged with leaves.
External walls: whether it be render, weatherboard or brick, your home’s walls are a huge contributor to your overall look. If your render is cracked or paint is peeling, it doesn’t matter how shiny your new driveway is.
Windows/doors: this is the icing on the cake. Giving your windows and front door a refresh will tie your entire exterior renovation together.
Step 4: Lighting, Fencing and Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Fun fact: Landscaping is 50% of your exterior renovation.
Replace your tired driveway with something modern and new-home outlook. Concrete driveways are extremely popular for this reason.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Think about new lighting along pathways, landscaping beds and the front of your home. Highlight bushes with uplighting. Install a cute fence to tie the backyard together.
You get the idea.
Low-maintenance landscaping is the final piece of the puzzle. Choose hardy native plants that won’t die the moment you look away. Tropical plants are beautiful, but they require A LOT of upkeep.
Balance your hard surfaces with soft greenery and you’ve got a winner.
Roll Back the Front Door
Giving your home an exterior makeover is no easy feat.
Planning is crucial to getting things right first time, so take your time. Enjoy the process and celebrate your wins as you learn how to remodel your home.
To recap: Spend plenty of time up-front assessing your property and writing out a detailed plan.
Break the renovation down into sections and work from largest to smallest. Driveways should be tackled before paintwork.
If you can, spend extra budget on lighting and low-maintenance landscaping.
Good luck with your project!
