Every home makeover show ends the same way. There is a big reveal of the finished house and an array of before and after photos. While they show bits and pieces of the project coming together, they don’t show just how much planning goes into a home makeover. If you are thinking about upgrading the appearance of your home exterior and not sure where to start, check out this before, during and after checklist:

Before

Identify the reasons you’re remodeling your home:

Maintenance/Repair

• Storm damage or regular wear and tear can take a toll on your home’s exterior. While repairs may not be the preferred reason to update your home exterior, it is a great opportunity to change things up (even just in small ways)

Replacement

• Replacement projects are a necessity. If something on your home exterior is in bad shape it has the potential to create big problems! Although the main focus is fixing a costly problem, there is always an opportunity for design changes.

Style Change

• Home trends and your own personal style change constantly. There may be exterior renovation ideas you have been waiting to do to your own home.

Return on Investment

• Selling your home in the near future? Updating your home’s exterior could increase the marketability when you decide to sell.

Create a clear vision:

When you decide to upgrade your home, you typically have an idea of what you want to do. Taking all your ideas into consideration, prioritize them into these three categories:

1. Must-haves
   These ideas are the core of your exterior upgrade vision. Anything that needs repaired or replaced is a must-have. Other ideas should be weighed in order of how it will affect what you’d like your finished project to look like. If you aren’t a fan of the color of your home, the paint or siding is more important than the trim.
2. Nice-to-haves
   Ideas put into this category aren’t a necessity but maybe things you could change down the road. Anything that is not a must-have should be under this category.
3. Dream Home
   This category should include the ideas you’d love to incorporate into your home if money wasn’t an object. If there is no way you can budget for these ideas, then keep it in mind for inspiration or for when your financial situation changes.

Take time to plan:

The idea of planning seems a lot easier than the actual process of planning a home exterior project. New roof, siding, doors/windows, gutters? What installers do you choose? What materials are best for your home? In what order should you complete projects? We have the answers.

Choosing an installer:

There are many roofing and exterior suppliers in the Midwest to choose from, so why HomeWise Roofing and Exteriors? Our team is committed to customer satisfaction. We understand that these projects are a big investment, so we want you to be more than happy with the results.

Budget:

A budget is your best friend when it comes to any home improvement project. It is easy to come up with a number you are comfortable spending, but making your budget realistic and specific is the most important step. The advertised price of materials is not all you need to account for, go line by line and estimate every expense:

• Installation
• Permits
• Inspections
• Possible Demolition
• Waste/Removal
• Labor
• Financing

Make sure your budget is prepared for overruns. The bigger the project, the more likely you’ll run into an unexpected expense. Once you have a detailed budget, you can look for room to implement your “nice-to-have” or “dream home” ideas!

Establish a timeline:

If your home exterior project requires several upgrades you may need to think about the timing and length of each project. Consider this order for your exterior upgrades:

1. Roof
   Tackling your roof project first is a smart move. Although it’s a quick project, a roof in poor shape can lead to a lot of damage to your home’s exterior.
2. Windows and Doors
   Ideally, windows and doors should be installed before siding. This can ensure that they are set precisely and the framing is finished without affecting new siding.
3. Siding
   New siding can take longer than other exterior projects including the removal of old siding, prepping the home, adding insulation, installing the siding, and completing the trim work. Repainting siding though could only take a couple of days!
4. Gutters
   Gutters typically need to be removed to complete roofing and siding projects. So saving this project for last can save time and money. Take into consideration your climate though. If you have rain in the forecast, it is important to get your gutters up as soon as possible to avoid damage to your home’s exterior.

During

Once you have your contractor lined up and your project is underway, it can sometimes feel like things are getting out of your control. When working with your contractor, discuss upfront how you will communicate throughout the project. Being clear with how you would like to communicate and what expectations are on both sides of the project will help ensure that everyone is in agreement. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Finalizing decisions as far as colors, materials and style are things you can decide as that portion of the project comes up. That is another reason communication is key!

After

Ahhhh, the relief after a big project is the best feeling! But before you decide to kick back and enjoy your newly upgraded home, there are a few post-project items you will want to check off of your list. Taking a few extra steps to register any warranties can help protect your investment within your home! Registering these warranties should help make things a little easier down the road so you don’t have to dig around for paperwork! It is also important to keep a record of colors, products and companies used to manage and complete your projects for easy reference. When the time comes to either plan another exterior project or retouch/replace paint and other materials, you will be thankful you took these extra steps to have that information easily accessible.

We know how important it is to you that your home exterior project is completed with integrity, quality and respect. We treat our customers like we treat our own family and are here to help homeowners protect their homes and families. Whether you have a small repair or a big home improvement project to tackle, call HomeWise Roofing and Exteriors for assistance.