Fall brings a crispness to the air that encourages homeowners to plan major exterior home improvement projects. The weather turns cooler and mild, giving homeowners the ideal conditions to take on exterior renovations. No matter what home improvement project you’re planning, there are some critical steps you should follow.
Have Clear Priorities and Goals
When you have a new project, you want to jump right in and start. However, you should take a moment to understand your priorities and create objectives and goals. When you know if your goal is to increase your property value or enhance your space, it helps guide the decisions you make. If you are making improvements to sell your house, your choices may be different than if you want to enjoy the upgrades.
Set Your Budget
You may be surprised to learn how much home improvement projects cost. Even the smallest project may cost more than you expect. It’s imperative that you have a realistic budget. Before you take any more steps, you should understand how much money you can spend on your project. From there, you need to understand how much it’s going to cost. You don’t want to get halfway through a project and find out you have run out of money. Always include labor, materials, and permits. Be sure you have some extra budget for all of those expected expenses that pop up.
Do Some Research
Even if you think you know what you want, explore different concepts and designs to see if you spark any inspiration for yourself. Insights into trends and classic designs are available online, in magazines, and on home improvement shows. You may see something that resonates with you. Be mindful of the weather. Even though fall is a great time for outdoor renovations, you never know when extreme weather might hit. You want to ensure no rain in the forecast or any other weather that may impact your project.
Hire Professionals
Hiring skilled professionals is essential when taking on a complex project like roof replacement. You want to ensure your roof installation is durable and safe. Home365 states that a new roof often has up to an 85% return on investment. This makes it critical to interview possible contractors, read reviews, and ask for recommendations. You want to find the best contractor to bring your vision to life.
The scope of your project may require a permit. Most often, a reputable contractor handles the local authorities and permits. However, you should always ensure they will. You must understand what permits are required in your area for your project. This should be part of the conversation you have with your contractor.
Prioritize Safety
Safety is critical, and you can’t take it for granted at any point during your project. You must follow the recommended guidelines for all equipment you use, especially generators. According to NPR, generators should be kept at least 20 feet away from the property. The exhaust must be directed away from the property to prevent potential health or safety issues.
Consider Outdoor Solutions
When you want to positively impact the appeal of your home, consider upgrading your landscaping. Be mindful to select seasonal plants and trees that thrive during the fall weather. When planning outdoor living spaces, think about optimizing them to increase comfort and functionality.
Another consideration is the addition of a fence to improve not only the look but the function of your yard. With 50% of homes in America having fences, they offer privacy, security, and style. Choose a fencing material and design that complements your overall vision.
When you start with meticulous planning, you can take advantage of the favorable fall weather. It also allows you to jump into new projects with confidence. It won’t be long before you can see the rewards of your well-planned transformation project.
