Renovating the exterior of a house: Things to do that will up your kerb appeal

With spring on the horizon, and winter almost over, now is the perfect time to think about repairing and renovating the exterior of your house. With more time spent outdoors, a house exterior makeover can really add kerb appeal to your home.

Here, we’ll share what repairs you should be looking out for and what you can do to level up your home’s exterior. But first…

Why remodel the outside of my house?

Houses aren’t just practical places for people to live. Rather, a beautiful house can boost your mood, reputation and even give you a sense of belonging. And the way it looks on the outside can be just as important as how it looks on the inside.

Here are some of the main reasons why remodelling the outside of your house is a good idea.

1. Repair damage

The winter weather can cause havoc to our homes. Strong winds, rain and snow can really take their toll. To stop further damage, you should try and address this as soon as you can.

Issues such as chipped paintwork, cracked render, crumbling mortar joints, leaky guttering and a broken fence isn’t just about aesthetics.

Properly maintaining the exterior elements of your house is important to prevent more costly issues from cropping up in the future. These include things such as water damage, leaks and even structural damage. Replacing materials with more durable alternatives could also help give your property the best protection for the future.

2. Add kerb appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing that people will see when they visit your house.

Sprucing it up is a great way to make your home more attractive in the eyes of others. It can make your home feel more welcoming and make it stand out for all the right reasons.

3. Add value

Improving the exterior of your house can add value to your property. It will also increase its saleability.

After all, many potential homebuyers will start by browsing homes on property websites. They may not even view a house that doesn’t look appealing from the outside. Even if they turn up to a viewing, they might not step inside if the exterior isn’t to their liking.

4. Create a welcoming environment

Don’t underestimate how fulfilling it can be to come home to a house that’s attractive and feels like it reflects you and your values.

Plus, as you spend more time outside in the coming seasons, your home’s exterior will be something you see more and more of. Improving it will also improve the overall look and feel of your garden.

When is the best time for an exterior house remodel?

The best time for an exterior house remodel is from early spring into summer.

During the winter, your home’s exterior is likely to be exposed to wind, rain, ice and blizzards. This can cause damage if you don’t revamp your home’s exterior from time to time.

Spring is the perfect time to fix this damage. The weather is usually more predictable and you should be able to avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures which can make jobs such as exterior painting or rendering a challenge.

Better still, if you start renovating the exterior of your house in spring, your property should be looking spick and span all summer long. So, it’ll make the perfect backdrop to those summer barbecues and garden parties!

Ideas for a house exterior makeover UK

If you’re keen to spruce up the outside of your property this spring, what are you waiting for? Start planning your house exterior makeover with the help of these ideas for inspiration.

1. Improve your paintwork

Painting the exterior of your house is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways of giving it a complete facelift.

If your existing paintwork is chipped, bubbling or marked with mildew, a professional will be able to resolve the issue and freshen up your property with a new lick of paint. Or, if you want to go a step further and give your property a whole new look, consider opting for a drastic change of colour.

We love the neat pastel finishes on the row of terraced houses above. Blue is a great pick if you’re hoping to evoke feelings of calm and serenity, while green is a trendy and sophisticated colour choice. Have a browse of our exterior house paint ideas for more inspiration.

How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house?

The cost to paint the exterior of a house will vary depending on the size of your house, your choice of paint and your location.

However, you can expect to pay in the region of £3,000 to £6,000 on an exterior paint project.

2. Give it a facelift with cladding

Installing cladding is becoming really popular in the UK.

It’s a great way of giving your home a whole new look if you’re not a fan of the existing exterior. Plus, it can help to improve your property’s insulation and weatherproofing.

There are lots of different types of cladding. Some of the most popular include uPVC, timber, stone, brick, metal and fibre cement. The kind of cladding you choose will massively affect the look of your property.

The property in the image above boasts timber cladding installed vertically. This gives it a contemporary look while blending in well with its environment. Our selection of exterior wall cladding ideas is packed with more examples.

How much does house cladding cost?

The cost of cladding your house will depend largely on the cladding material you opt for.

The average uPVC cladding cost is around £80 per m², including labour. Meanwhile, you’re looking at around £115 per m² for larch cladding or £325 per m² for zinc.

Our guide to house cladding costs has more figures to help you budget. Or, just get in touch with a cladding installer near you for a quote.

3. Consider changing the exterior of your house with render

Rendering your house is a great way to modernise a dated property – for instance, one that’s covered in pebbledash. It can also help you to tie together old and new parts of a property, or simply give your home a fresh appearance.

There are several different types of render, so it’s worth taking some time to work out which will be the best for your budget and property type.

For instance, lime render is a must for older properties as it offers a breathable finish. Meanwhile, monocouche rendering is a newer option that’s hard-wearing, weather-resistant and low-maintenance. And silicone render even has some purported self-cleaning credentials!

If your property is already rendered, it’s important to maintain it at least every five years to make sure it looks as good as it can. Plus, always repair cracks and bubbles if you notice them appearing.

How much does rendering cost?

The type of render you choose, the size of your house and your location will all affect your typical rendering costs.

However, rendering a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home with around 90 m² of walling is likely to cost around £2,700 - £7,200. Be sure to allow roughly £1,000 for scaffolding costs too.

4. Upgrade your front door

Your front door plays a big part in welcoming people into your home. Upgrading it can hugely increase your property’s kerb appeal – as well as potentially its security!

If your front door is looking tired and scuffed, it may simply need a fresh lick of paint or a more thorough restoration job.

On the other hand, if the style of your door is wrong for your house – or your front door clearly needs replacing – switching it for a more suitable alternative could be your best bet.

When it comes to front door replacement, you’ll be able to choose from a myriad of styles, colours and materials. uPVC, composite, aluminium and timber are the most common.

Our selection of front door ideas will give you some all-important guidance on picking out the right door for your home.

How much does door installation cost?

When it comes to the cost of a new front door, the biggest deciding factor will be the material you choose. Prices will also vary based on the size, style, spec and added accessories you go for.

That said, as a ballpark estimate, you’re looking at roughly £550 - £1,800 for a basic spec wooden door. Meanwhile, for a composite door without a glass panel, you could expect to pay around £1,100 - £1,400, or around £825 - £1,200 for a uPVC door (also without a glass panel).

Our guide to door installation costs goes into more detail.

5. Repoint the brickwork

Pointing is the mortar between the bricks or stonework on your property. It’s a crucial part of your home’s structure but it sadly won’t last forever.

If you spot that the pointing on your property is loose, crumbling or cracked, it could be time for repointing. This involves scraping away the old mortar and replacing it with new mortar.

Repointing is a vital way to protect your property from water damage. But it’s also a great way to give a tired property a new lease of life from the outside, and can even add value to your home.

Plus, it’s equally necessary for new builds as it is for old Victorian brickwork. So, keep an eye on your mortar and don’t leave it too long once you spot signs that it needs replacing!

How much does repointing cost?

Your total repointing cost will vary depending on the size of the area that needs attention. But as a rough guide, you can expect to pay between £50 and £60 per m², including clean up.

Check out our guide to repointing costs to learn more.

6. Landscape your front garden

Don’t underestimate the power that your front garden has to add kerb appeal to your property.

An unkempt front garden makes your property look uncared for and unruly. But a well-manicured patch, no matter how small, can make the exterior of your property sing.

If there’s room, set aside space for a driveway, which could add a massive 5-10% to the value of your home.

Then, install a neat garden fence or plant a hedge to mark the boundary of your property. And fill the rest of the space with easy-to-maintain plants and shrubs. A landscaper near you will be able to advise on the best design for your needs.

Once you’re happy with the look, the key is maintenance. A well-mowed lawn, neatly clipped hedge and weed-free path go a long way to giving your property’s exterior that ‘looked after’ vibe. If you don’t have the time or expertise, why not hire a gardener to do it for you?

Garden landscaping cost

Your garden makeover costs will depend on the design you’re hoping to achieve, as well as the size of your garden.

However, as a general guide, you’re looking at around £230 per day for a landscape gardener and around £110 per m² to pave a driveway with brick paving. Our guide to garden landscaping costs goes into more detail.

On the other hand, when it comes to garden maintenance costs, the average gardener will charge £30 per hour.

Renovating the exterior of a house dos and don’ts

Ready and rearing to get started on your exterior house remodel? Take note of these simple renovating dos and don’ts to make sure you set off on the right foot:

Do

• Set a budget
• Hire professionals
• Consider resale
• Take into account the style of your property
• Take inspiration from the houses on your street and in your neighbourhood

Don’t

• Forget to check planning permission rules
• Do anything architecturally inconsistent with the rest of the house
• Skimp on low-quality materials

Ready to find a trusted professional to help you renovate the exterior of your house to a high standard? Simply enter your postcode in the search box below.

FAQs

How can I improve the exterior of my house?

There are lots of different ways you can improve the exterior of your house. Just a few ideas include rendering, installing cladding, painting or even something as simple as upgrading your front door.

What do you put on the exterior of a house?

When it comes to exterior cladding, there are lots of different materials to choose from. Wood, uPVC, stone, brick, metal and fibre cement are some of the most popular options. The best type of cladding for your needs will depend on your tastes, budget, location and the style of your property.

What exterior adds the most value?

That depends on your property! For instance, while rendering could add value to your home if you’re freshening up a similar finish, it could also detract from your property’s value if you cover over original features in a period property. So, it’s important to consider your property’s unique characteristics before deciding on an exterior.

That said, keeping the exterior of your property in good shape (including your front door, pointing, cladding, exterior paint or render) could potentially add up to 10% to the value of your property.