Home Improvement projects to beef up value and to create comfort and enjoyment, has always been the homeowner’s strategy of choice during difficult economic times. With the added factors of energy costs and government stimulus, it is logical to add these considerations to this discussion. A helpful benchmark is Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report to determine how much of your home improvement investment you can expect to recoup.






• Window Replacement

Historically, new home builders reduce the cost of their construction by utilizing inexpensive windows that are cheaply constructed and inefficient. Couple this with the fact that technology in the construction, materials and installation of windows has improved so dramatically in the last 10 years that even homes that were built with better windows find themselves with an opportunity to dramatically improve energy efficiency by utilizing today’s high tech window replacements. With the skyrocketing cost of energy, homeowners and home buyers are more aware of the benefits of high performance windows. This awareness leads to a high return of home improvement dollars invested from the increase value of your home. Coupled with energy savings, added comfort and enhanced security, the addition of the federal government’s $1,500 tax credit drives many homeowners to choose window replacement as the home improvement project choice.

• Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl)

Economic hardships have created a keen awareness of how we are spending our home improvement dollars. Improvements that save time, maintenance repairs, at utility and curb appeal win head and shoulders over glitzy, bells and whistle luxury choices of boom times. Siding replacement can provide the single most visually impactful home improvement you can make. With the choices of siding materials, styles and colors a homeowner can totally change to look of their home. It’s an opportunity to become the distinctive home on the block, making your home the most saleable and adding tremendous value. Remodeling Magazine indicates that one can expect 80 to 87% ROI from the cost of this improvement. Maintenance is virtually no existent and you can say good-bye to paint and paint brushes. It is also an opportunity to take care of many hidden evils such as waterlogged prone wall systems and lack of wall insulation. This is one of the best opportunities to add value and tremendous energy efficiency to your home no matter its age.

Conclusion

Taking care of your siding and windows will provide tremendous energy savings while updating and beautifying your home to please you know and attract future buyers. If your bank account permits or your credit is good this is the time to work at improving your home’s exterior. Make sure that you work with a contractor that will help you make your dreams become a reality. An experience, established company will make sure that you have reasonable expectations and will help you avoid costly errors. They will make sure that your improvement will come in on budget.