Exterior Remodeling for a Return in California

By:

Here at brick&batten, we typically work with homeowners looking for help visualizing changes to their house’s exterior. But we also work with trade professionals, such as interior designers, who need assistance showing their clients what the outside of their dream home can look like. That was exactly the case with Meg F., head of design at Dreamie, who enlisted our help for the exterior remodeling portion of a project she was working on for a client in California.

Being an interior designer, I am always looking for ways to better illustrate or show a client what their dream home could be. Since I primarily work on the interior, brick&batten seemed like a natural partner to help our clients see the potential of their exterior (without me having to do too much additional render or illustration work).

Keep reading to learn how we helped Meg with her exterior remodeling job and see her client’s home transformation from start to finish.

Whether you’re a homeowner, interior designer, or real estate professional, we’re here to help you optimize your exterior design project and create the home of your (or your client’s) dreams. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

A before photo of a home about to undergo an exterior remodeling project.

The before

Meg’s client purchased their California home with the intent to sell it for a nice return after remodeling it. The main goal of the exterior remodeling portion of the renovation was to create an updated, expanded entry area that would boost the home’s curb appeal and offer some functional outdoor living space. 

A virtual rendering of a home about to undergo an exterior remodeling project

The design

We provided Meg with two design variations for this home. Both feature new siding from James Hardie, a new driveway and windows, and an expanded front patio area with a gable roof. 

The first rendering (above) features a modern glass and aluminum garage door and xeriscape landscaping, while the second design (below) features a different garage door and a greener landscape design with a yard full of grass. 

A virtual rendering of a home about to undergo an exterior remodeling project

The color palette — Night Gray on the siding with trim and eaves rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black — is the same in both designs. Faux copper gutters, new light fixtures, a wood pivot-style front door, a stone paver walkway, and wood paneling above the entry are all present in both versions of the design, as well.

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.

A photo of the backside of a home that underwent an exterior remodeling project

The process

Because this was a full home renovation that required permits, Meg said it took almost a year to finish everything. Extensive work was done throughout the home’s interior, as well as in the front and back yards. Meg mentioned her client was skeptical of doing the front patio addition at first, but seeing the space laid out in our rendering gave them the confidence to move forward with the plan.

Clients usually have a hard time visualizing the potential of a home, but after seeing the before and afters side by side, they are usually overjoyed and excited to make the improvements.

It might have taken a while to complete, but Meg said the process was relatively simple — and totally worth the wait. 

The process was smooth, and the results totally thrilled my clients.

 

A photo of a home after undergoing an exterior remodeling project

The actual after

Meg’s client executed many of our design recommendations, such as the exterior paint color on the siding, but also did a few things differently. They expanded the patio area and added the gable roof but chose a different front door. They went with the xeriscape option with a simplified walkway and a garage door with windows along the top versus the side.

The front [patio] and new entrance probably made the biggest impact to the house — implementing new lighting, paint colors, and garage door cannot be undervalued and goes a long way to making you feel happy upon returning home.

An actual after photo of the backside of a home with a pool in the yard

An exterior remodeling project with a big return

Meg’s client was thrilled with the results of their interior and exterior remodeling project. While they initially set out to sell the home, they’ve opted to rent it out instead. Thanks to the smart design updates made on the inside and outside of the home, it’s now an income-generating property for Meg’s client.

Brick&batten is the answer to the question, “How can I see the results of home exterior remodeling before I do it?” Our team of expert designers will create a rendering of your home’s exterior with all your desired changes to help you visualize the new look before you start making costly renovations. Get started on your exterior design project today. 

Author

Britteny has worked as a professional writer and editor for more than a decade. She launched her career as a features writer in New York City, covering fashion, food & beverage, and hospitality. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including International Business Times, Glam, Thirsty Mag, and Cardinal & Pine and has worked with famous faces such as Kate Upton and Nigel Barker throughout her career. Britteny has been covering the exterior home design industry as a writer for brick&batten for almost two years. Britteny splits her time between New York City, her home state of Michigan, and Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize in Central America. When she’s not writing or editing, Britteny can be found at the beach or in the kitchen testing out vegan recipes.