Picture this: You’re standing in your driveway, looking at your home. The paint is peeling outside, but your kitchen also needs a total makeover. Where do you start? This is a common problem many homeowners face when planning their home renovation. Let’s help you make the right choice for your home and budget.
Why This Choice Matters
Starting your home improvement project in the wrong order is like putting on your shoes before your socks – it just doesn’t work well! The order of your renovation can affect how long your improvements last and how much money you spend. Making the right choice now can save you thousands of dollars later.
Looking at Your Home’s Needs
Before you decide where to start, take a good look at your house. Walk around inside and outside. Make a list of what needs fixing. Ask yourself:
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Does the roof leak when it rains?
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Are your energy bills too high because of old windows?
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Is your kitchen too small for your family?
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Does your bathroom need new pipes?
These questions will help you see what needs fixing first.
Why Start with the Outside?
Starting with exterior renovation can be smart for several reasons:
The outside of your house protects everything inside. Think of it like an umbrella – if your umbrella has holes, you’re going to get wet! Making sure your roof, walls, and windows are in good shape keeps your home safe and dry.
Outside work can save you money on your bills. New windows and better walls help keep warm air inside during winter and cool air inside during summer. This means lower heating and cooling bills.
Your house will look better right away. Fresh paint, new siding, or a fixed-up yard makes your whole neighborhood look nicer. This can also make your house worth more money if you want to sell it later.
Why Start with the Inside?
There are also good reasons to begin with interior renovation:
You spend most of your time inside your home. Making your kitchen bigger or your bathroom nicer lets you enjoy the changes right away.
Inside fixes can make your home work better for your family. A new kitchen layout or an extra bathroom can make everyday life easier.
Some inside problems can’t wait. If your pipes are leaking or your wiring is old, these need to be fixed soon to keep your family safe.
What to Think About When Deciding
Think about these things when making your choice:
Weather: If you live where it rains or snows a lot, fixing the outside before winter comes might be smart.
Money: Outside work often costs more at first but can save money over time. Inside work can sometimes be done bit by bit as you save money.
Where you’ll live: Inside work might mean you need to stay somewhere else for a while. Outside work usually lets you stay in your home.
Making Your Money Work
Here’s how to plan your money smart:
Get prices for both inside and outside work. Ask at least three different workers for each job.
Save extra money for surprises. Workers often find more problems once they start fixing things.
Think about which fixes will save you money later. New windows might cost a lot now but save on heating bills for many years.
When Things Should Happen
Most home fixes take time. Here’s what to expect:
Outside work:
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Small jobs: 1-2 weeks
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Big jobs like a new roof: 2-4 weeks
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Complete outside makeover: 1-3 months
Inside work:
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One room update: 2-4 weeks
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Kitchen or bathroom: 4-8 weeks
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Whole house inside: 3-6 months
What the Experts Say
Most home fixing experts say to work from the outside in. Here’s why:
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Fix big problems first
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Protect your house from rain and weather
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Make sure the house is strong before working inside
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Save money on heating and cooling
Making Your Choice
Ready to start fixing your house? Here’s what to do:
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Check your house carefully inside and out
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Write down all the problems you find
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Ask workers how much fixes will cost
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Think about when you want the work done
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Decide if you can live in the house during fixes
Conclusion
Deciding whether to fix up the inside or outside of your home first can be tricky. It really depends on what you want to achieve and how much money you have.
If you want to:
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Make your home look better from the street and sell it for more: Focus on the outside. Things like planting flowers, painting the walls, and fixing the roof can make a big difference.
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Make your home more comfortable and enjoyable to live in: Work on the inside. Updating the kitchen, bathroom, or living room can really improve your daily life.
Remember, it’s okay to do a little bit of both at the same time. The most important thing is to plan ahead and set realistic goals.