Planning Exterior Renovations: A Homeowner's Guide

https://unsplash.com/photos/workers-in-red-suits-on-a-white-building-roof-f8YII8FSlQA

Want to increase your home's value but not ready to renovate top to bottom?

Look into exterior renovations.

Simple home improvements to the outside of your property provide the highest ROI of any home project. Full stop.

The problem? Many homeowners neglect the exterior altogether. They flock to kitchen renovations and bathroom upgrades, missing out on significant resale value increases by overlooking curb appeal.

And what curb appeal improvement offers one of the highest returns? Concrete driveways.

Let's dig into…

What you'll learn:

1. Exterior Renovations Beat Interior Projects Every Time

2. Why Concrete Driveways Offer One Of The Highest ROIs

3. Planning Your Exterior Home Improvement Project

4. Everything You Can Expect From Your New Concrete Driveway

5. Getting The Most Bang For Your Renovation Buck

Why Exterior Renovations Beat Interior Projects Every Time

It all starts with curb appeal.

Potential buyers judge books by their covers. First impressions happen the second someone pulls up to your home.

If you've got a stunning kitchen hiding behind cracked concrete and dead lawn, would buyers know? Of course not. Drive offs become highly likely.

That's why four of the five projects with the highest ROI, according to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, are exterior renovations.

Kitchen and bathroom updates used to provide strong returns, but homeowner renovation costs have far surpassed the value they can potentially bring to a resale. With exterior projects, it's a different story.

Exterior renovations win time and time again because they:

• Create big visual impact

• Are much less intrusive on day-to-day life

• Cost far less than major kitchen and bathroom renovations

• Take less time to complete

Garage door replacements now have an ROI of 193.9%. Steel entry door replacements give homeowners 188.1% of their money back. Compare those types of numbers to bathroom or kitchen renovations.

Concrete driveways easily sit at the top of this list.

Why Concrete Driveways Offer One Of The Highest ROIs

If you aren't thinking about concrete driveways as your first exterior renovation, you should be.

Replacing your old driveway does more than offer your vehicles a smooth surface to drive on. Something as simple as pouring a fresh slab of concrete can completely change the aesthetic of your property. It also shows homebuyers you care about your home and have kept things well maintained.

A new driveway can increase property value by 5-10%. That's $20,000-$40,000 on a home worth $400,000.

You can't argue with those types of numbers.

For those in South Australia, trusted driveway concreting services in Adelaide can help determine the next steps and ensure the job gets done right the first time.

Concrete driveways make financial sense because they:

• Last 25-50 years with proper care

• Save you money in the long run when compared to asphalt

• Are more durable than asphalt driveways

• Are what most buyers expect to see when they drive up

How To Plan Your Exterior Home Improvement Project

Planning any renovation project is crucial if you want everything to come together.

Slapping random improvements onto your home will not result in the same numbers as strategic renovations.

Take a walk around your home. What does the exterior look like to new eyes?

Do you notice cracked concrete? Chipped paint? Landscaping that needs touched up?

Jot down every detail you can think of. Then, start prioritising.

Some improvements are simply more valuable than others. And value doesn't always come from ROI.

Look at the driveway first. It covers the largest square footage on the front of your home. Replacing your driveway with a beautiful stretch of fresh concrete creates instant curb appeal.

Next, compare your home to others in your area. You don't want to over-improve. Take notes on other homes curb appeal and match (or slightly exceed) their standards.

Finally, get contractor quotes.

Don't simply settle for the cheapest quote when looking for concrete contractors either. There's a reason that person is cheap.

Concrete installation requires properly prepared ground, thick enough slabs, and time to cure. Cutting costs often leads to issues down the road.

Everything You Can Expect From Your New Concrete Driveway

Here's what you can generally expect when installing a new driveway:

First, your contractor will need to remove the current driveway. Whether that be tearing up old concrete or grinding down asphalt and hauling it away.

Then, they will prep the ground. Everything needs to be compacted and graded correctly. Otherwise, you'll be replacing your concrete sooner than you think.

Once that's done, they'll install forms to create the border of your driveway. Then, mesh or rebar will be installed to reinforce the concrete.

Lastly, they'll pour and finish the concrete to your liking. Then allow for several days of curing before using it as your vehicle's new parking spot.

How long does it take to replace a driveway? Each of these steps requires time to perfect. You're probably looking at 3-7 days for the entire project, depending on size and weather.

Getting The Most Bang For Your Renovation Buck

You can do things to ensure you get the most out of your money. Take these tips into consideration before picking up that rolling pin.

Bundle Jobs

Many contractors offer discounts when you bundle jobs together. Ask about working on your driveway and walk paths at the same time. Pouring concrete is expensive, so see what you can save by increasing square footage.

Choose Neutral Colors

Colors come and go, but neutral tones are timeless. You risk your driveway dating your home by choosing something crazy. Keep colors simple and save the fun patterns for interior design.

Think About Function

Does your driveway slope away from your home? Does it have proper lighting? These functional additions may not wow someone, but they sure do add value.

Maintain What You Install

You pour a new driveway, but it'll start looking ragged if you don't maintain it. Concrete driveways need to be sealed every few years. Cracks need to be filled and repaired as soon as they show.

Common Exterior Renovation Mistakes To Avoid

Here are a few common exterior renovation mistakes that can cost you more than you think.

Skipping Permits

You would be surprised how many people think their exterior renovations don't need permits. Concrete driveways typically do. Don't DIY the permit process. Talk to your contractor about what's needed from your town.

Neglecting Drainage

Speaking of driveways, water runoff is essential. Too many homeowners upgrade their homes without considering where water will drain. Don't create pool spots near your foundation.

Thinking You Can DIY

Painting your home's exterior is one thing. But concrete driveways are not a DIY project. If you don't have the right tools and equipment, you're going to mess it up. Hire a professional and save yourself the headache.

Not Including Lighting

Ever drive up to a home at night and wish you hadn't? Well, someone feels the same way about your house. Include lighting in your renovation plans. Improve your home's appearance and keep everyone safe.

Wrapping It Up

Investing in your home's exterior can net you serious returns when it comes time to sell.

Replacing your driveway is one of the best things you can do to increase your home's value. Not only does it show homebuyers you maintain your property, but it also comes with one of the highest returns on investment.

Here's the takeaway:

• Exterior renovations get you more for your money than kitchens/baths

• Concrete driveways return 5-10% of your home's value

• Always hire a professional to ensure your driveway will last

• Plan your renovation before signing on the dotted line

You should have started improving your home's exterior years ago. But you aren't here to talk about missed opportunities. You're here to make them right.

Carefully assess your property and make a list of things that need improved. Figure out which project will net you the biggest increase in value.