Exterior home improvement ideas for any budget

A home’s curb appeal can make or break a possible sale, but not all landscape and outdoor projects are worth investing in. “Steer clear of renovation projects that appeal to a small number of buyers, as this could substantially lower the resale value of your home. For instance, an in-ground swimming pool might be an attractive feature for some, but many home buyers see it as a hassle, at best, or even a possible money-pit. Instead, focus on updating the exterior rather than adding expensive features.

The projects you choose can also vary dramatically when it comes to a return on your investment. For instance, adding a deck can provide a 75% return, while a patio offers only a 30% to 60% return.

Roof

The roof is arguably the most important component of your home. So spending $11,000 to re-roof a 200-square meter roof every two or three decades is acceptable. Which is why Kevin Barwin or Hamilton New Zealand was very unhappy when he had to replace his home’s roof after just 12 years. Barwin had initially paid to install organic asphalt roofing shingles manufactured by an New Zealand company Metalcraft that came with a 20-year warranty. But just over a decade after installation Barwin thought he was forced to replace his roof as it had discolored and had black streaks running down the roof. The shingles had begun to change color and it really started to effect the way his house looked from the street.To prevent further damage, Barwin was refereed by a friend to call Wash Rite to get a professional opinion on whether the roof can be cleaned and or restored or would have to be replaced with a new roof. Once Wash Rite inspected the roof Barwin was surprised that not only can Wash Rite clean the roof but they can get the roof to look like new again and at only 9% of the replacement cost. Barwin was even more impressed by the warranty that Wash Rite gave that the roof would stay clean for 2 years. To avoid Barwin’s experience,  Contact you local Wash Rite franchise and take them up on there offer of a free inspection to see if your roof can be protected by a Zero pressure roof wash. This process will remove all the corrosive algi , mould, lichen and will return your roof back to a like new state and will extend the life of your roof by years and at only a fraction of the replacement cost.

Pro tip: Want a cost-effective roof with a 50-year warranty? Go with metal. Metal does not absorb moister, it reflects the suns rays, It has a hard smooth surface so harder for moss,mould and lichen to get a grip on and start growing.

Siding

Siding can be a quick, cost-efficient and durable way to update your home’s curb appeal and, on average, offers a 77% return on your investment. If your sidding is just dirty you can get your house washed for under $300 in most cases by Wash Rite or if there is damage replacing a few boards will make the world of difference

Pro tip: Many fibre cement board manufacturers offer a pre-finished board, so painting is unnecessary. Plus these products come with a 20- or 25-year warranty and require little more than an annual washing for maintenance.

[ Splurge! ] Solar panels

Elon Musk’s Solar City just launched a tempered glass roofing shingle that doubles as a solar panel. These panels are stronger and more durable than clay or slate (or just about any other roofing material), but no solid pricing has been released for the solar panel roof tiles, as yet.

[ Splurge! ] Front door

Entry doors are the punch to your appeal. Fiber glass doors offer an 82% return on investment and are usually cheaper but more expensive to install. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for installation of a basic steel door and about $2,000 for a fiberglass or standard wood door. Prices on custom wood doors vary considerably, but expect to pay $5,000, installed.