With house costs on the ascent as noted by the New York Times, I have chosen to put resources into additional home upgrades. I know I have generously expanded the worth of my house recently with finished redesigns on the kitchen and bathrooms. My objective is not to settle the house available to be purchased. My target is to expand the worth of my house for a fate examination to an opposite contract. The potential of acquiring an opposite contract on my house is an alternative I need to help store my retirement years if required. In the not so distant future home change venture was new siding.
In the recent past
In 1999, I bought my house in southern Delaware realizing that it required impressive inside remodels. Inherent 1940, the house required redesigns to pipes, warming, and electric. The cedar shake siding was established by the past possessor over the house's introductory wood siding. The cedar shakes were crushing; some had tumbled off.
The process
Vinyl siding was chosen because it is low maintenance and cheaper compared to other siding options, such as brick. Insulation was not included when the house was built. Because of that, shortly after moving in, I had blown-in insulation added. As an additional measure for insulation, after the cedar shakes and old vapor barrier were removed, 1/4 inch foam sheets were secured to the house.
The project was expected to take two weeks, but bad weather extended it to four weeks. I had to find other off-street parking because the dumpster was in the driveway. The most difficult part was that my dog, who is used to going outside at will, had to remain indoors. That "captivity" coupled with hours of pounding on the house by the contractor had the dog barking--a lot. Did I mention that I was home too?
The cost
The project to install vinyl siding cost $8,100. That covered building permits, a licensed contractor and his assistant, rental on a dumpster, vapor barrier, foam sheet insulation, vinyl siding, and trim. According to the remodeling 2013 Cost vs. Value report, I can expect up to a 73% return on my investment in this home improvement project.
The results
A more attractive curb appeal for my house was a bonus. Instead of covering the entire house with horizontal tan siding, the porch has white vertical vinyl siding resembling board and batten, so the house looks unique. The insulation installed under the siding has already eliminated some drafts that I suspect were caused in part by the holes drilled in the exterior to accommodate the blown-in insulation. The foam insulation is expected to reduce heating and cooling expenses.
The project was not without incident. Aside from a few perennial flowers that were broken to the ground, two azalea shrubs were damaged by the contractor, a particularly visible situation because those two azaleas were in a row of other azalea of identical size. I had to come up with a landscaping plan to fill the gap.
