How Much Should Be Set Aside for Exterior Home Improvements?

Improvements to the outside of your home can be one of the best investments you can make in your home.

The issue? Homeowners often have no idea how much they should spend. They overspend on frivolous things or skimp and create a half-finished disaster.

The best part about exterior projects is they almost always provide a return on your investment. Zonda’s latest 2025 Cost vs. Value Report shows garage door replacements provide a 268% ROI and most curb appeal projects come back with a profit.

Here’s how to plan your budget the right way…

Here’s the lineup:

1. Why Exterior Improvements Matter More Than You Think
2. The Real Cost Of Common Exterior Projects
3. How To Budget Without Going Overboard
4. The Smart Order To Tackle Projects In

Why Exterior Improvements Matter More Than You Think

Your home’s exterior is the first thing anyone sees.

Buyers, neighbors, guests.. they’re all forming an opinion before they walk through the door. Exterior projects really DO offer the biggest return.

Here’s the kicker:

8 out of the top 10 highest ROI projects in 2025 are exterior replacements. That should tell you all you need to know. Sure, interiors feel sexy. But exteriors are where the money is.

Think about it like this:

“If you build it, they will come.” – First impressions are FREE! Make sure the outside of your home is CLEAN. It helps your ENTIRE home appear more valuable.

Projects with the best return…

• … actually pay you back — many curb appeal projects recoup 80%+
• Delay costs more — procrastination leads to higher maintenance costs

It just makes sense to budget correctly for your exterior. You are increasing the value of your home AND protecting it.

The Real Cost Of Common Exterior Projects

Okay, now on to some real numbers. Here are the most frequent exterior projects and their median cost in 2025:

Driveway Resurfacing

If your driveway is looking shabby, your entire property can suffer. Cracks and potholes are unattractive and they will only continue to deteriorate.

Driveway resurfacing costs will vary depending on the type of material you choose and the size of your driveway. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $600-$6,000, with the average being about $3,000. Should you need work done on your concrete driveway, be sure to get a concrete driveway cost estimate first. This is before you start any work as prices can differ depending on the preparation needed.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Asphalt resurfacing: $3 to $10 per square foot
• Concrete resurfacing: $3 to $5 per square foot
• Stamped or decorative finishes: $6 to $20 per square foot

Your driveway is one of the biggest statement features of your home that people can see. … So you should make sure it’s a priority.

Garage Door Replacement

This is the king of exterior ROI.

Installation will run you about $4,500. How much does it add to resale? Over $12,000. See the point?

Entry Door Replacement

A steel entry door sells for about $2,400 and will add $5,200 to the value of your home.

Siding & Stone Veneer

These are bigger projects but the returns hold up.

• Manufactured stone veneer: ~$10,000 with strong ROI
• Vinyl siding: Around $15,000 with 97% ROI
• Fiber-cement siding: Around $19,500 with 114% ROI

Painting & Landscaping

Don’t sleep on these two. Fresh exterior paint runs about $3,000 to $5,000 and ranks near the top of dollar-for-dollar returns. Landscaping can influence 5-15% of your home’s first impression as well.

How To Budget Without Going Overboard

Now to the budgeting part… This is where most homeowners get it wrong.

The general rule is the 30% rule:

Don’t spend more than 30% of your home’s current value on renovations.

Therefore if your home is valued at $300,000 your total remodel budget should not exceed $90,000. This prevents you from over upgrading in relation to your neighborhood and losing money when you go to sell.

For exterior work specifically, here’s what to set aside:

• Annual maintenance budget: 1-3% of your home’s value
• Curb appeal upgrades: $5,000 to $15,000 every 5-7 years
• Major exterior projects: $15,000 to $40,000 (driveway, siding, roofing combined)

But these are just guidelines.

Factor In These Hidden Costs

Most homeowners forget about the extras. These can add up fast:

• Permits and inspections: $50 to $300
• Disposal of old materials: $500 to $1,500
• Drainage fixes: $500 to $2,000
• Repairs needed before the project starts: $2 to $5 per square foot

Pad any quote you receive by 10-15% for unforeseen events. You’ll thank yourself later.

Use The Right Materials For Your Climate

This is super important…

Buy expensive products that aren’t going to hold up in your climate is foolish. For example, if you have very cold winters then using a cheap asphalt driveway sealer is pointless. Consult with someone knowledgeable in your area prior to making a final decision.

The Smart Order To Tackle Projects In

Don’t try to do everything at once.

That’s how you quickly bust your budget. Prioritize your requests based on what’s smart.

Step 1: Repair what is broken. Cracked roofs, saggy gutters, chipped driveways. These issues become larger quickly and cost you more down the road.

Step 2: Focus on High ROI projects. Garage doors, entry doors, exterior paint. These are projects that will give you the biggest return for the least investment.

Step 3: Graduate to larger upgrades. Siding, stone veneer, complete driveway replacement. More expensive, but they retain value nicely.

Step 4: Add the finishing touches. Landscaping, lighting and decorative features.

Here’s a quick example of how to plan this out:

• Year 1: Fix urgent damage and replace the garage door
• Year 2: New entry door, exterior paint, basic landscaping
• Year 3: Driveway resurfacing or replacement
• Year 4: Siding upgrade or stone veneer
• Year 5: Final touches and outdoor living additions

It keeps your payments lower by spreading them out. You also get to enjoy each improvement along the way.

Don’t Forget Outdoor Living

56% of pros say homeowners will focus more on outdoor living/backyard improvements in 2025 than years prior.

Composite Deck ROI is approximately 89%. Backyard patio ROI is about 46%. Each are great investments if you plan on using it.

The Bottom Line

Outdoor home renovations can be some of the most satisfying improvements you can do. They shelter your home and increase value, while also making it look stunning.

To recap the key points:

• Set aside 1-3% of your home’s value each year for maintenance
• Stick to the 30% rule for total renovation spending
• Prioritise high-ROI projects like garage doors and entry doors
• Add 10-15% to any quote for hidden costs
• Spread big projects out over multiple years

Outdoor maintenance can be exhausting work and it can also become pricey. However, if you plan properly and have the right budget you can fix up your home. Don’t rush, compare prices and remember to add that buffer for additional expenses.