8 Best Home Renovation Projects for the Fall

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Did scorching temperatures lead you to put off several home improvements during the summer? If so, fall is ideal for getting around to those renovation projects.

This season’s cooler weather is perfect for getting everything done. Whether you’re looking to create a new design indoors or are preparing your home for winter’s arrival, these eight renovation projects can be knocked out in a day, over the weekend or with the help of a professional.

1.   Clean Your Roof and Gutters

It’s a good idea to clean your gutters and roof of debris annually — especially since it’s likely that leaves and dirt will accumulate over time.

Clearing away what doesn’t belong ensures your home is healthier and makes it easier to repair any minor roof and gutter damage, such as missing shingles or leaks.

Many homeowners can do this job themselves, but some might prefer to hire a professional service. A local gutter cleaning company will do the job correctly, while an experienced contractor is your best option to fix any roofing problems.

Regardless, ensure that the gutters and roof are completely cleared of leaves before there’s snow in the forecast.

2.   Schedule a Roof Inspection

While you’re focused on cleaning the gutters and roof, you might as well book a roof inspection. A roof inspector will look for the following:

• Minor or significant damage

• Warping or sagging

• Cracked or rotting rafters and trusses

• Chimney damage

• Mold or mildew

• Holes in the attic ceiling

• Pest or rodent infestations in the attic

If anything happens to come back on the inspection report, the roofing company will usually be able to fix the problem or even replace the entire roof.

3.   Seal and Insulate Your Home

Imagine curling up with a warm blanket, a cup of tea and a good book only for a cool draft to send a chill down your spine.

This fall, you might want to seal and insulate your home. New insulation will keep your house warmer during the colder months and help lower energy costs.

The Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates a 12.3% increase in heating costs this winter — 20% higher than the year before for those with natural gas as their primary heating source. Adding insulation could deliver ample savings by preventing warm air from escaping through the attic and keeping cold air from creeping inside.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing and insulating the attic, basement and crawl spaces could help you save 15% on utility bills to heat and cool your home. It also helps reduce pollen and pests and creates a more comfortable indoor atmosphere.

4.   Finish Your Basement

Are you thinking about putting your house on the market in the spring? Perhaps you have family coming to stay with you or are looking to add more living space. Finishing your basement could be an excellent home renovation project for the fall.

Homes with finished basements usually add 70%-75% to market value since you’re incorporating extra square footage. The additional living space will be particularly enticing for potential buyers if your house is smaller on the main level.

Otherwise, finished basements make great spaces for family members to live with you. According to Generations United, one in four Americans lives in multigenerational households — a trend that increased during the pandemic.

Suppose an older parent can no longer live alone. In that case, you can create a beautiful apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchenette downstairs so they can maintain their independence and privacy.

5.   Winterize Your Lawn

Many homeowners avoid applying fertilizers to their lawns during the summer, particularly if they have kids and pets who enjoy running around in the yard. However, it’s best to wait until the weather cools anyway.

Spend a weekend winterizing your yard this fall. Pull annuals from the garden beds, rake up the leaves, do a final mow and apply a fertilizer treatment. You can do lawn care yourself, but you can also hire a landscaper to do it for you.

Experts agree that November is the best month to fertilize your lawn. At this time, grass should have recovered from the summer heat and have accumulated enough carbohydrate reserves for better growth come spring.

6.   Apply Fresh Paint

Sometimes your interior walls could use touch-up paint to cover scuffs and marks. Other times, you might want to repaint every room in the house.

Fall is a great time to apply a fresh coat of paint and breathe life into your home interior design once again. Unlike when the temperature is hot in the summer, you can crack a window open for ventilation to remove the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the paint.

Likewise, cooler weather is ideal for painting your home’s exterior. If you can’t invest your time and money into having the siding repainted, concentrating on the trim, shutters and front door can provide just enough refresh to give your home an entirely new look.

A painting contractor can tell you whether this is a project you can take on yourself or if it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

7.   Replace Old Windows

Older homes might have windows that no longer work to lock the cold air outside. Like insulating and sealing your home, replacing your windows for upgraded models is more energy-efficient and will help make your house more comfortable.

New windows can add to your home’s value if you consider listing your home in the spring because you’re reducing your heating and cooling costs. They also won’t leak air or rainwater.

Nothing is worse than you and your family getting sick with drafty windows during the fall and winter when you could stay snug in a warm and cozy household.

8.   Update Your Fireplace

Apple cider doughnuts, hayrides and pumpkin picking probably come to mind when you think about fall. However, so should cuddling with your dog in front of a fireplace.

Maybe your fireplace could use a bit of a design overhaul. After all, an outdated look or dirty brick can ruin the relaxing moment you’re trying to create for yourself.

Speak with a contractor to find out how you might update your fireplace with a new surround. Perhaps you want to cover it with a patterned tile, apply shiplap or install marble. You might also want a new mantle or hearth.

Updating your fireplace in the fall will make the winter months toastier and aesthetically pleasing. Just remember to clean the chute and remove any residual soot from the previous year to avoid a chimney fire.

Tackle Home Renovation Projects This Fall

Fall is ideal for tackling the projects you put off during the spring and summer. Other renovations can only be done at this time of year. Roll up your sleeves and dive right in to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.