Our house has no street appeal. Due an extension from the previous owner it looks like the from of our property is missing part of its roof. What’s the best way update the front facade of our house?
So some of the roof is flat? That's not necessarily a problem. What I noticed is the bins and the spindly verandah posts. Is the verandah structurally sound? How much are you up for doing, budget and workwise?
Agree with dreamer. Would add - change verandah post to wood (you can clad around it in situ to save money) and replace that front window with something in keeping with the period of the house. It really lets the street appeal down.
Agree with the suggestions above, clad up your posts, put a screen at the end of porch, make a cover for your wheelie bins or put them round back, add some balcony pots on your railing and plant up the garden , could look really lovely
Why about the cladding? I hate the colour? Any hacks to changing it without needing to reclassify everything? I’ve looked at painting but it’s vinyl cladding and apparently it starts to peel after a couple of years.
Why need landscaping quotes? A few hours pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, making a garden bed with adding good soil, plant some spring flowers in the garden, and as Julie Herbert said, add planters to the front porch rail. This can all be done for under $300.
It is the garden that needs improving ....then it will improve the street appeal of the home. Remove the bins, fix up the front verandah supports. Leave the cladding as is.
The cladding is neutral-coloured and low maintenance. Is changing it a worthwhile investment or overcapitalisation?
Is the verandah structurally sound? It looks as if it is propped up? If you need to do some work to the verandah that is an opportunity to improve the appearance at the same time. Colour and materials used in trims can make a significant difference.
Basic maintenance and not making the bins the main feature of your front yard would improve your street appeal. Landscaping can be a major cost or a very doable mostly DIY job. So asking again, what are you up for in terms of budget and research and doing some work? Lots of people have landscaped their homes, only getting in someone else for skilled work if they do not feel able to tackle that, such as concreting or paving or retaining walls. What are you thinking of getting quotes for?
I’m considering laying new turf (it’s all weeds atm) refencing. Adding privacy plants around the perimeter and maybe a fruit tree. Redoing the driveway and updating the verandah. My husband hates any kind of manual labour so I don’t see him doing any of it.
"Work out drive and car/storage situations first."
I agree.
Then see what's left with your space and budget. Don't overcapitalise, and think about sweat equity. Plan carefully to avoid large ongoing maintenance needs. 'Maintenance free manicured gardens' is just an idea real estate agents sell. I shudder when I see some of the pictures that accompany that language, it sets up completely unreasonable expectations. Box hedges don't manicure themselves. But with careful planning of an achievable informal style you can keep maintenance to a minimum. What sort of fruit tree are you thinking?
I look at it differently . Someone has tried to do some updates , so rather than changing the front window or trying to do a 50's homestead look or similar -- go more modern !
I'm not even sure if the roof is unpainted , or painted light boredom ( sorry , I mean grey ) , but redo it in a more modern tone , depending on your climate -- charcoal / monument if cooler , light steel grey / surfmist if warmer . Then do the trim ( gutters , downpipes , etc ) either the same as your roof , or my preference is a highlight colour -- charcoal against surfmist ; or red or yellow to get more attention ( do the front door the same if followin g that suggestion ) .
Get rid of the green around the base -- boring people would go mid-grey , I'd go charcoal or similar .
The balustrade and the veranda support are just horrid IMO -- go charcoal paint if on a tight budget , but I'd replace -- just a simple , clean style would suit . Doing rendered walls , glass panels , stonework wouldn't .
And rip out that front fence -- I hated them when they were pool fences and not seen from the street -- so why put it along the street ?
The rest has been 'covered' already -- the bins , the driveway , the lawns , then landscape ! But try and make it look 2000 ( its not going to be 2021 without big $$$ ) , don't aim for 1950 , as that was what was trying to be hidden .
macyjean
dreamer
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