Houses and real estate are assets that no sensible owner plays with. That is why, periodically, homeowners carry out renovations and home improvement projects on their property. Every part of the house or property needs to be kept in top shape and updated.
Apart from the fact that real estate is a viable investment, there are other reasons why it is important to keep your property in excellent shape at all times. In this article, we will discuss the importance of keeping your property in the best shape possible and how to choose the best company for this task.
While it is true that there is a proliferation of home improvement and construction companies, not all of them can boast of rendering excellent services. So when you hear or see a company that boldly advertises that they render excellent service, they are worth a second look. However, do not take their word for it; do your due diligence.
This piece will therefore share information that will broaden your knowledge base and help you make informed decisions, so stay with us.
Importance and Benefits of Maintaining your Home Exterior
There are many benefits that come with maintaining the exterior of your home which therefore makes it an important task. These benefits include the following:-
- Enhanced Curb Appeal
- Prevention of Damage to Property
- Increased Value of property
- Cost Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Enhance Home Appeal and Mood of Occupants
- Increased Durability/Longevity
- Preservation of Structural Integrity
Let’s expatiate on some of the above:
Enhanced Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the first impression that your home makes on people. This is a very important feature for a home as it especially affects its re-sale value. To even get a foot into the competitive real estate market, your property must have curb appeal. That is why it is important to maintain the exterior and keep your home as beautiful as possible. Read this article to understand the financial implications of an enhanced curb appeal.
Preservation of Structural Integrity
A home left to the incursion of nature will surely experience deterioration. This can happen through the buildup of grime and dirt, droppings from bugs, birds, and other animals, and mold. If these things are not taken care of through thorough cleaning and other home improvement strategies, they will eventually affect the structural integrity of the house.
Carry out routine cleaning and maintenance to prevent any damage to the structural integrity of the property. Additionally, it will save you the cost of carrying out expensive construction in the future.
Increased Property Value
Everyone understands and appreciates how a well-maintained house is more valuable than a dilapidated one. Imagine a house with a shiny new roof and one with a rundown roof, or one with windows that are falling off the eaves versus one with clean, shiny windows. Which would you be enthusiastic to inspect and buy?
So this point should be a no-brainer, but it is worth repeating because it is very important to always think of the real estate value of your property. Not only will it come in handy when/if you want to resell, but it can also be used as collateral for credit facilities in times of financial emergency.
Energy and Cost Efficiency
When you have well maintained roofs and windows, you are sure to have an energy efficient home. In the course of regular maintenance checks, your contractor will check for any insulation problems and fix them. This will ensure that your home is kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which will eventually save you some money on energy bills.
Tips for Choosing the Best Contractor for your Home Exterior
We have spoken about maintaining the exterior of your home with the assumption that the initial construction and installation were properly done. If, however, you did not get it right from the onset, you can make it right with the help of an expert builder. For those who are yet to embark on their building project, you are on the right track by reading this piece because you will get relevant information that will help you make the right choices.
To this end, find below some tips to help you make an informed choice:
Use Local Referrals
It is in your best interest to look out for contractors in your locality. Ask around from people who have carried out similar projects for the contractor they used. With local referrals, you enjoy the benefit of an expert that understands the terrain as it pertains to the weather conditions and the best materials that withstand the elements.
For example, if you live in Virginia Beach, it is in your best interest to select from the many excellent contractors in the city. You can easily see the handiwork of companies such as Paramount Builders and others and judge for yourself. You do not have to rely on adverts alone; you can actually see first-hand, projects that they have executed.
Look out for Qualifications, Skill and Range of Services Rendered
Just as you are considering local referrals, make sure they are duly qualified and have the right skill set for your project. Bear in mind that a company might be better suited for remodeling than fresh construction, while others might be proficient in both.
If you are just embarking on fresh construction, we recommend that you consider a company that offers holistic services. This means that they do not only build from scratch but also offer maintenance services. Hiring such a firm will save you a whole lot of stress because you will have a one-stop solution to both the building and maintenance of your property.
Additionally, make sure that the company you end up with is staffed by highly skilled professionals. Ask questions to find out how many highly skilled and trained staff they have; you do not want to work with a company that has a few experts and many trainees. This is because you may have to join a long queue to get your job done or be left at the mercy of a trainee.
Look out for Licenses and Insurance
Roofing and window installation or maintenance can be quite risky, and because of that, companies that render these services are required by law to be insured. The type and level of insurance required might differ per city, but there is a barest minimum insurance that cuts across board.
Every construction company must be duly insured and licensed, so make sure you find out whether your prospective hire is correct in that aspect. Do not be hesitant to ask for proof of these because you do not want an illegal entity to work on your property. Additionally, should an injury happen to any worker in the line of duty, you do not want to be liable. If, on the other hand, they damage your property in the course of the project, you want to be properly indemnified.
You can visit https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/node/6 for more information on the type of license to look out for from your builder.
Look out for Top Quality Materials and Warranty
You also need to consider the type of materials that the contractor will use. You can only find out by asking the right questions. In fact, we recommend that you find out the brands that they use; this will either give you the confidence to continue with them or disembark.
Additionally, a company that is confident in the quality of materials that they use will always give warranties. Most times, the warranty even comes from the manufacturer of the materials, which is why we recommend that you ask for the brand they use and insist on reputable brands.
Furthermore, find a company that guarantees customer satisfaction. This means that they will never leave a customer dissatisfied. If it so happens that the job is not up to the customers’ requirements, they will do all in their power to rectify the situation.
Conclusion
The exterior of your home matters as much as the interior, which is why you must always insist on excellence. We have shared tips that will help you get the best fit for the job, so take the time to do your due diligence so that you can get value for your money.
