Your home is important. It’s where you and your loved ones live. It needs to be kept safe, dry, and in good repair—and sometimes, that means updating old work.
The trouble is, exterior renovations aren’t free. And often, they aren’t cheap, either. There’s a reason for that.
Because quality materials and skilled installation are something you pay for. And while the finished product (and peace of mind that comes with that) is often well worth it, many homeowners don’t have the cash lying around to get the work done when it’s needed...
Leaving many wondering if financing their repairs is worth the additional interest rate charges.
So with this article, the Smucker team is diving into that question. Can you expect to make a positive ROI when financing your exterior renovations?
Let’s make sure you have the full story.
Why “ROI” Might Mean More Than You Think
The truth is, most homeowners hear “ROI” and think resale value. And while that is a part of overall ROI, it isn’t the only factor.
ROI on exterior renovations must also consider the following:
- Resale Confidence: A newer roof, fresh siding, or modern windows help buyers feel safe, leading to fewer questions, price cuts, and time on the market.
- Cost Avoidance: Exterior issues only get worse, and fixing minor problems early often saves far more—spread out over time—than the initial cost of renovations.
- Daily Livability: Perhaps the most underrated aspect of ROI. Daily livability in a tight, weather-resistant exterior keeps your home more comfortable, quieter, and less expensive year-round.
In other words, when considering ROI, take a broader view. Home repairs aren’t cheap, and by acting sooner rather than later, you can save yourself higher costs and unneeded repairs over time.
Which Exterior Home Projects Provide the Best ROI?
Simply put, not all upgrades are created equal. However, of all home renovations, exterior work tends to perform well. Why?
Because it protects your home as a system—and contributes to the following:
- Prevention of water and pest damage
- Lowering monthly bills
- Increasing buyer confidence
With that in mind, here are a few projects that tend to perform well financially—even when taking out a loan to cover the initial costs.
- Roofing: A reliable roof prevents costly water damages while also making your home more attractive to potential buyers.
- Siding: New siding recoups as much as 67–95% of its upfront costs in monthly HVAC savings, preventing water and pest damages, and boosting resale value.
- Windows and Doors: Old, drafty windows account for nearly 40% of residential energy loss—and you’ll save between $126 to $465 per month by replacing single-pane windows with double-pane
- Entry Way Doors: This one’s simple: A new steel door recoups 100% up its upfront cost.
Additionally, studies show that homebuyers are willing to pay 7% more for a home with a well-kept exterior!
How Can Waiting to Pay in Cash Backfire?
From a financial perspective, paying in cash can be a great option. You aren’t subject to interest rates and will pay less over time. However, if you don’t have the cash on hand, there is one major consideration before opting to wait and save.
If water is getting into your interior or the exterior sheathing of your home, you need to remedy the situation ASAP. Water damage only gets worse and more expensive. So if you don’t have the cash on hand, financing can actually save you money in the long-run.
Is It Possible for Financing to Actually Improve ROI?
When financing a home remodeling project, most homeowners are worried about lowering their ROIs. Surprisingly, though, financing can actually improve your bottom line—if used responsibly.
Because financing isn’t just about affordability—it’s about control. By spreading the cost of exterior renovations into predictable monthly payments, financing can help homeowners protect savings, avoid emergency repairs, and move forward before problems get worse.
The key is choosing the right lender—one that’s transparent, flexible, and designed specifically for the home-improvement space.
And it just so happens that Smucker Exteriors has partnered with a lender checking all those boxes.
Why Does Smucker Exteriors Partner with Hearth Financing?
At Smucker Exteriors, we recommend financing exterior renovations when it makes sense for the client. With that in mind, we explored a few of the more popular lending platforms in the home improvement space and recommend one above the others: Hearth Financing.
Here’s why.
For starters, Hearth is a financing platform built specifically for home improvement projects. Rather than lending money directly, it connects homeowners with a network of vetted lending partners—allowing them to compare loan options in one place.
This makes the lending process smoother for homeowners, while also helping them get the best loan terms for their specific situation.
Hearth offers:
- A 60-second pre-qualification process
- Soft credit checks that don’t affect credit score
- Loan amounts to cover most exterior projects
- Funds are usually delivered within 24 hours
- No home equity required as collateral
The Hearth platform is also easy to navigate—offering everything you need to make an intelligent choice on a single screen. Plus, there’s no sales pressure, so you can make a safe, comfortable choice in your own time.
That Said… Can Exterior Financing Still Deliver a Positive ROI?
The short answer is yes. Financing exterior renovations can produce a positive ROI. The trick is to use financing wisely.
That means acting at the right time, avoiding compounding problems, and spreading out the costs in a way that protects your home and nest egg. And when paired with quality workmanship and thoughtful planning, financing can become one of your most valuable tools.
If you’re considering exterior renovations—regardless of how you pay for them—the first step is always the same: reaching out to a reputable contractor in your area for an accurate, honest estimate.
With that, know that Smucker Exteriors knows how important your home is. It needs to be kept safe, dry, and comfortable for everyone inside. And sometimes, that means updating old work.
So don’t wait until the problems get worse.
Request Your Free Estimate today.
