Smart Exterior Home Renovation Projects for Maximum ROI
By: Cassie McDowell
A home renovation can be a big undertaking. Depending on the size of your project, the process can take weeks or months to complete and can cost tens of thousands of dollars. But by being smart about the home renovation projects you choose to pursue, you can significantly improve the functionality of your property and increase its value.
While a kitchen overhaul or a bathroom remodel are some of the first things people think of when it comes to home renovations, if you want to recoup your investment, you should focus your efforts on your exterior. After all, it’s the first thing prospective buyers see, and if they don’t like how a house looks from the outside, they might never make it inside.
If you find yourself wondering what home improvements actually pay off, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover the exterior home renovation projects with the best ROI.
Whether you’re renovating a house to sell or fixing up your forever home, our team of experts will help you design the perfect exterior. From paint colors to light fixtures to landscaping, we consider every detail when creating a new look for your home. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services and exterior design pricing.
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What to start with when renovating a house?
Sometimes, the hardest part about renovating a house is knowing where to start and what areas are worth focusing on. If you’re renovating your home with the intention of selling it, you’ll want to focus on fixing up areas that will provide the best return on your investment. While high-end finishes and luxury amenities like a pool probably come to mind, these upgrades generally don’t get homeowners as high of a return as you might expect. So what updates are worth their price tag? Keep reading to find out.
Garage door replacement
Garage door replacement is the home renovation project that delivers the highest return on investment, according to Bankrate. The average cost to replace a garage door is $4,513, and the average resale value is $8,751, putting the cost recouped at 193.9 percent, the consumer financial services company notes.
For the property above, we recommended replacing the dated white garage doors with a style that’s a modern take on classic carriage house style doors. The stained wood looks lovely juxtaposed with the dark siding and ties into the lintels above the windows. To add even more interest to this garage design, we suggested placing an awning and wall lanterns overtop of the doors.
If replacing your garage door isn’t within your budget, painting it is another option that can achieve a similar effect. Check out the before and virtual after above for example. This client purchased our Paint Visualizer package to see what their exterior would look like with a new color scheme. The garage door was painted with a blue-green hue that made the home look dated, so we suggested painting it — and the other elements featuring the blue-green color — with Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty. Black Beauty is a rich, elegant hue that helps elevate this home’s exterior.
If you’re considering replacing your garage door, check out our roundup of the best garage door styles and this post that offers expert tips to make your garage door ideas a reality.
Entry door replacement
A new entry door is another investment that can deliver an excellent return, especially if you opt for a steel door. In its post detailing the top renovations that increase home value in 2024, Bankrate said swapping your old front door for a steel one boasts a 188 percent ROI, which is up from 100 percent in 2023. Fiberglass is another solid option with an ROI of almost 100 percent.
The design above features a door with a waterproof and rot-resistant frame, plus fiberglass panels designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Stone siding
New siding might be expensive, but it can more than pay for itself when you go to sell your home. According to RenoFi, replacing your existing siding with stone veneer has a potential ROI of 102 percent. Stone siding can give your home a more sophisticated appearance, and stone veneer, which is designed to emulate natural stone, provides the look of real stone at a more affordable price.
You don’t have to cover your entire exterior with stone though. Even small sections of stone siding can enhance your curb appeal. For example, in the design below, we only suggested adding stone around the garage door. The stone creates a stark contrast against the dark siding and a visual separation between the upper and lower levels of the home.
Exterior paint
If you’re not up for replacing your siding, consider painting it instead. If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ve probably seen us mention the power of exterior paint a few times already. And we’re not alone. Real estate technology company Home Light says painting the exterior of your home can provide a 152 percent ROI.
Take the transformation above for example. The owner of this home used our Paint Visualizer package to see how a fresh color scheme might upgrade their exterior. The medium-dark gray siding juxtaposed with the limewashed brick took the façade from outdated to extraordinary.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Deck addition
Adequate outdoor living space is a must for a lot of homeowners. Adding a deck to your yard will make your home much more attractive to potential buyers. A deck can increase the functionality of your outdoor space, providing an area for relaxation or entertaining.
The home above already had a deck, but the owner felt it was too narrow and wanted to expand it. Our design features a multi-level deck that also extends further right than the original. The new deck has plenty of room for several seating areas and leads down to a cozy fire pit with additional seating.
If a building a deck doesn’t make sense for your property, consider a patio extension or porch addition instead. At the end of the day, homebuyers are simply looking for a functional, well-designed space to kick back and enjoy the great outdoors.
Home renovation projects worth the investment
A home renovation can be a costly endeavor, but if you prioritize the right projects, you can make your money back — and then some — when it comes time to sell. Skip the upgrades that offer little or no return on your investment and focus on the ones we discussed throughout this post.
Whether you want to make some small updates or are planning a major exterior overhaul, we’re here to help simplify the process. With our customized rendering of your home in hand, you can move confidently through the home renovation process and make your dream house a reality. Begin your exterior design project today.
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