How To Plan A Complete Home Makeover – From Interior Decor To Exterior Design

This guide demonstrates just that, teaching you how to effectively plan a exterior house renovations step by step, as Tross Construction helps guide you on all of these issues and more, offering advice on project phasing, material selection, and work flows that help you effectively coordinate your house design and budgets.

Understanding Home Makeover

You can evaluate the project type, whether cosmetic changes, renovation by room, or renovation of an entire house, and then align project goals of budget, time, and permit approval on a project timeline and calculate value returns:

‘Kitchen renovation projects can expect returns of 60–80%, and bathroom renovation projects can expect returns of 50–70%. Exterior house design may recapture an additional 5–10% of value.’

Kinds of Home Makeovers

You can go for a cosmetic makeover (paint, fixtures), ranging from $3,000 to $15,000, or a focused renovation (kitchen or bath), ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, or a complete overhaul, above $100,000, and requiring 8–20 weeks, or exterior design improvement (sidings, porches, landscaping), ranging from $10,000 to $60,000, or conversion for an accessory dwelling unit or home office, that normally increases resale value by as much as

Cosmetic Overhaul: Paint, Lighting, Hardware
Targeted renovation: Kitchen and bathroom renovation
Full renovation, including Structure, layout, and Systems
Exterior house design: siding, roofing, landscaping, porches
“This option can often be the one that gives the highest kerb appeal and return on investment.”

Factors that have to be considered before embarking on

Budget and commit to a conclusion before you begin, including a contingency of 10–20% of your budget, reviewing permit turnaround time (2–8 weeks), and reviewing items that could be problematic, such as plumbing or electrical issues that may require up to 20,000 dollars of repairs, and identify projects based on return on investment and daily value, as bigger projects may require as much as 8–20 weeks, and consult Tross Construction for all permit and time estimates.

Estimate total cost and contingency
Verify local permit regulations and timescales.
Find Three Comprehensive Tenders from Authorised Contractors.
Evaluate Energy Efficiency and Accessibility Upgrades.

Schedule work that minimizes interruptions after bids have been sought

Further, you can conduct a room-by-room assessment of electrical, plumbing, insulation, and foundation integrity — the presence of outdated plumbing or HVAC components can be worth an additional $5,000 to $15,000. Additionally, you will want to obtain at least three bids, including one from Tross Construction on design-built projects, and consider permit costs (estimates of $300–2,000), temporary relocation or equipment staging, a ‘contingency’ fund of 10–20% due to potential unknowns, and seasonal restrictions — projects such as exterior house design may require certain climatic conditions.

Document existing conditions through photography and measurement
Prioritize projects based on Return on Investment (ROI) and Daily Impact
Check contractor licences, insurance, and references
Establish a ‘communication rhythm and change order’ cycle
So, once contracts have been finalized, it is essential that lead times for materials and dates of commencement be verified

Planning Your Interior Decor When designing or

Step-by-Step Guide To Interior Design

Start by taking dimensions of rooms and snapshots of architectural details, and allocate a budget share (40% for large items, 30% for human effort, and 30% for finishes). Make a mood board, focus on lighting and traffic patterns, and stage implementation — structural changes, followed by surfaces and then furnishings. Materials and colocolours be coordinated with your house exterior plans for a smooth transition from outside to inside, and involve Tross Construction early enough for timing and permit purposes.

Tips for Choosing the Right Style

You can reduce your choices by testing 3 design styles (mid-century, modern farmhouse, and Scandinavian, for example), restricting your colour vocabulary to three colours, and testing textures and finishes by site sampling. You can create 2–3 room concepts or mood boards and check scale by marking them on paper, as lighting can completely alter a colour scheme, especially as it changes from morning to night.

Examine available architectural elements, and note down items that need preservation or renovation.
Collect about 20–30 images for more clarity on visualisation.
Now, after you have formalised your style, you can develop a shopping list that is organised by impact and price.

To illustrate, if a focused refresh of a 1,200 sq ft bungalow — flooring, painting, lighting, and two statement pieces — is desired, this can be completed in about 6–8 weeks and could be estimated at about $18,000-$35,000, depending on what is done, and often Tross Construction encourages just concentrating on lighting and window treatments, as these have a great effect on space and value. You can swatch large items and take pictures of them before buying them, just to be certain of their compatibility.

Test the paint on three walls and observe it during morning, noon, and evening sunlight.
Take measurements for furniture and model circulation routes before purchasing.
Testing large items, though, only has to be done in place for one week before you commit to purchases, as returning items can be expensive.

Improving Your Exterior Design

Your kerb appeal establishes expectations before a potential buyer sets foot inside your home, and scale, symmetry, and materials can boost resale value as much as 10%. Tiered lighting, landscaping, and colour can help merge your roofing, siding, and trim for cohesive exterior house design, and Tross Construction can assist you in phased renovation, say siding followed by a porch, that helps you stay on budget and on track as you upgrade your curb appeal design.

Types of Exterior House Designs

Traditionally, house

You will have different elements of style predictable in materials and maintenance as follows: Craftsman — natural wood and tapered columns, Modern — clean lines and metals, Colonial — symmetrical and clapboard, Mediterranean — exposed wood and tile roofing, and Farmhouse — board and batten. Recognising how different neighbourhoods’ house styles can influence permit approval and resale value can help guide your decision-making.

Craftsman: wood, dates of popularity (1900–1930)
Contemporary style is characterized by the twin themes of ‘metal
Colonial: clapboard or brick siding,
Mediterranean: Stucco or tile siding is most suitable
Farmhouse: Board and batten, porches, commonly

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Exterior Choices

Pros & Cons Analysis — You can view a comparison of popular siding choices based on price and longevity:

Vinyl siding has low maintenance that only requires periodic washing but is relatively susceptible to storms (price range of $2–7 per sq ft and lasts 20–40 years). Fibre cement siding is resistant to fire and decay for up to 25–50 years (price range of $5–12 per sq ft). Stucco siding is expensive, but very well-insulated, provided it is installed in a dry environment (price range of $6–15 per sq ft, lasts up to 40.

Vinyl Records — Advantages: inexpensive, easy DIY option; Disadvantages: susceptible to fade.
Fibre cement — Advantages: fire-resistant, durable; Drawbacks: heavier, installation costs more.
Stucco, Exterior/Acrylic Finish — Advantages: seamless appearance, insulates well; Disadvantages
Wood — Advantages: natural warmth; Disadvantages: pests, painting required often.
Brick — Advantages: longer lifespan, more expensive maintenance; Disadvantages: more expensive, more expensive materials.
Stone: Pros — Best look, very durable. Cons — Most expensive, requires support.

You would need to consider life cycle costs, regional climatic conditions, and likely insurance considerations and could expect that for a facade area of about 2,000 ft², vinyl siding may range from about $4,000 to $14,000, or possibly between $10,000 and $24,000 for fiber cement, and likely above $20,000 for brick and/or stone siding, though these may have significantly lower maintenance costs as time goes on.

Tross Construction can help guide you on estimates that would allow you to select one that would suit your expected

MIXING AND MATCHING INFERIOR AND SUPERIOR

When coordinating your exterior house renovations design, be sure that sightlines, material, and colour undertones transition smoothly from exterior elements and into interior space, trying, for instance, to extend a cedar feature or black metallic stripe used on your exterior into your entry elements and fixtures. To reduce clutter, stick to lighting warmth (2700K-3000K) and feature no more than two or three prominent materials and a three-colour scheme on your elements and fixtures. Tross Construction may advise that you precede significant exterior house design changes by testing full-size samples of your choices outdoors and indoors.

Harmonizing Design Choices

Each scale, rhythm, and material should be integrated through repeating window dimensions indoors and outdoors, reproducing roof or porch profiles through beams or soffits, and selecting colours that have harmonious undertones. Base neutrals should ideally be divided into 60% value, midtones into 30% value, and accents into 10% value. To illustrate, warm oak on trim, beige on siding, and navy on doors show unity of interior and exterior design through colour without matching too strongly.

Tips for a Cohesive Look

Use repeating elements — material, colour, or finish — to create unity, and this could be achieved through cladding or rugs that reflect exterior textures, matching hardware finishes such as matte black and brass on doors and cabinetry, and landscaping that orients key views. Evaluate three paint samples under sunlight and nighttime conditions, and follow the scale on interior furnishings and window treatments based on exterior openings.

Harmonise colours of exterior siding trim with interior trim details, eliminating jarring contrasts.
Take a sample of your porch flooring or cladding material into the entryway for a smooth interface.
You would presumably be testing these samples at different times of the day before finally selecting one.

To elaborate on cohesion, test patches of paint and material that are 12”x12” on the actual wall, and take pictures of them in morning and evening lighting, comparing bulbs of 2700K and 3000K degrees to note changes in undertones. Two exterior colours, such as stone and wood, can be used inside as an accent wall and bookshelves, and stick with one kind of hardware finish, whether metallic or otherwise, throughout. Tross Construction can set up temporary sample boards that you get to keep for one week before making any final choices.

Hardware and fixture finishes should be standardised on exterior doors, lighting, and interior cabinetry.
Stick to two and not more than one, for instance, accents.
Let’s guess that you may need a budget cushion of 10%-15% when coordinating interior renovation projects with exterior house design projects.

Budgeting for Your Home Makeover

As soon as budgeting is done line by line, typically breaking down into 50% interior, 30% exterior house design upgrade, and 20% system and contingency, aiming for a contingent of around 10–15%. Take bids and compare costs per unit — data from Tross Construction reveals that exterior overhaul projects may have price fluctuations of as much as 8–12%. Keeping tabs on receipts, staggering payments on expensive items, and establishing approval milestones before projects begin can help.

Essential Cost Factors

Materials and manhours sharply predominate expenses, as wood flooring may be $$4–12/\text{square ft}$, manhour costs $$40–120$/hour, and permit fees $$150–1,200$, though repairs for hidden rot may double estimates of exterior repairs estimates. Design costs and site work will raise expenses by an additional 5–15% on top of this, while project time increases manhour costs by as much as an additional 5–10% for each month of delay.

Following calculation of permit, manhour ($40$-$120 per hour), and $10$-15% contingency, projects can be ranked on potential profit.
Permits and inspections
Materials quality and availability

Labor rates and contractor overhead

Structural Repairs & Site Preparation

Design fees (architect/design

Exterior house design elements (siding, windows, landscaping)

Savings Tips

Package trades to minimise mobilisation costs, purchase appliances during sales (Black Friday and Jan.), and reface or paint instead of replace, if possible, as refacing may cut costs as much as 50–70%. Take bids from three contractors, and always negotiate changes of materials that can cut costs by up to 40%, and don’t involve yourself in projects that entail potential risks, such as plumbing, electrical, and other complex repairs, but only limited projects that require painting or landscaping, for example. All projects involving big purchases of items require a written contract that details all promises, warranties, payment methods, and time schedules.

Procure 3 written bids and compare price items
Buy during non-peak seasons or through contractors’ discount
Refinish rather than replacing (cabinets, doors)
Reproduction of low-risk tasks for reducing Manpower
Request phased or combined pricing from Tross Construction

Life cycle costs: energy-saving LEDs save ~75% of energy, low-VOC paint increases costs by $10–25 per gallon but avoids future painting, and a new roof costs $5,000–12,000 vs only $500–2,000 for temporary repairs that damage resale value. Additionally, refacing costs $4,000–8,000 vs complete replacement at $12,000–30,000 — another no-brainer decision. Overstocks and salvage purchases can reduce materials’ up-front costs by as much as 15–30%. There is more.

LED lighting: ~75% avg. energy saving Refacing vs Replacing a Kitchen Cabinet: Savings of roof replacement vs roofing repairs:
Roof replacement can range from $5 Use salvage/surplus to reduce material costs by 15–30%. Research warranties and return policies before buying.

Conclusion

But you can now confidently undertake a whole overhaul of your house by coordinating your exterior house renovations and by focusing on quality and expertise through partners such as Tross Construction, ensuring that you create a comprehensive and integrated whole house that is beautiful and functional and truly yours.

FAQ

Q: Where can I begin if I would like to overhaul my house, inside and out?

A: Begin by doing an analysis of your home and your family’s needs. Make a list of issues that need correction, elements that can be kept, and areas that need renovation or upgrade, and prioritise based on goals of style, functionality, and budget (starting with repairs, then areas like kitchens and baths, and finally details). Research materials and obtain images or mood boards of projects, and then develop a project timeline and budget that includes a cushion of 10–20% for contingencies, and source professionals, such as Tross Construction, when necessary for projects that involve home repairs or renovation, such as site estimates, repairs, or plumbing installation or repairs.

Q: How can I match my interior design and exterior house design?

A: Achieve unity through colour, materials, and architectural elements. Choose materials and colours outdoors that can translate into indoor treatments — such as exterior stone or siding that matches indoor flooring or accent walls, for instance. Harmonise trims and hardware on doors and windows from indoors and outdoors for a more deliberate transition. Outdoor elements, lighting, and entryways create an orientation on what indoor design may be expected of it and create a warm entranceway and an integrated lighting system that ties lighting indoors and outdoors together well. Scale and Proportion — Consider keeping your space scales and proportions consistent and harmonise them based on exterior roof and mass elements of your house through a contractor and designer that can pair exterior and interior materials, windows, doors, and exterior or interior porches and patios that blend indoor and outdoor unidentified zones through Tross Construction.

Q: What are the steps I need to take regarding budget, timeline, and selecting a contractor that will prevent me from going over budget or running late?

A: Begin by breaking down the project scope, then obtain detailed written estimates that break down materials, labour, and allowances. Allow for a contingency budget of 10–20%. Establish a timeline that includes permit processing time, material delivery, and inspection periods. Screen contractors by reviewing licences, insurance, and references, as well as currently completed projects and online ratings, and require a written contract that details project scope, timeline, payment schedule, changes, and warranties. Determine who is responsible for processing and managing inspections and permits, and whether or not subcontractors will be used on the project. Regular ongoing project site visits and weekly progress reports facilitate timely project completion, and selecting a contractor that has expertise in interior renovation and house exterior design can simplify project coordination, as provided by Tross Construction through project management, estimates, and post-project walk-through inspections.

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