Snap a photograph of your house, blow it up on a copying machine, lay a sheet of tracing paper over it and sketch out some different details. Or take a more high-tech approach with home design software that lets you cut and paste a new fa ade onto your house. Some larger home centers also offer this service. See what impact dormers would have on the front of the house, or how a new trim treatment or a covered entry would change its appearance. If this kind of creativity isn't your strong suit, hire an architect to develop a few ideas for you.
Architects work on either a per-project or an hourly fee basis.
The second option can be more flexible, but you'll need to keep an eye on how much time is being spent on the job. There are several major elements to be considered in exterior remodels. Applied singly or in concert, they can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of any home, as our two examples illustrate. The natural focal point of the fa ade, the entry is often the site of the most dramatic changes. Entries can be enhanced or redefined in many ways.