Three levels of exterior change
“Change the exterior” can mean a new paint scheme or a whole new house. It helps to know which you're asking for:
| Level | What changes | Floor plan | Our package |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Materials & details | Siding, trim, window grids, colors, porch columns | Unchanged | Minor — $299 |
| 2. Facade restyle | Window sizes and placement, porch, gables, entry, garage doors | Small tweaks | Standard — $599 |
| 3. Full exterior redesign | Roof form and pitch, massing, wall heights, all elevations | May shift | Major — from $999 |
Most “make it a modern farmhouse” requests land in level 2 or 3, because the look depends on the roof pitch and window pattern, not just the siding.
What defines each style
| Style | Roof | Signature details |
|---|---|---|
| Modern farmhouse | Steep gables (often 8/12–12/12), standing-seam metal accents | Board-and-batten, black windows, deep front porch |
| Craftsman | Low-pitch gables, wide overhangs, exposed rafter tails | Tapered columns on piers, mixed siding, divided-lite upper sashes |
| Modern / contemporary | Flat, low-slope or shed roofs | Large glass, clean trim, mixed cladding, minimal ornament |
| Ranch / modern ranch | Low, long hip or gable | Horizontal lines, wide eaves, grouped windows |
| Mediterranean | Low hip with tile | Stucco, arches, recessed windows |
Not sure which you want? See what architectural style should I build?
The roof decides everything
You can't turn a low hip-roof ranch into a modern farmhouse with siding alone. The steep front gable is the style. Changing roof form means redrawing:
- Roof plan — new pitches, ridges and valleys.
- All four elevations — wall heights, window heads and porch roofs have to line up with the new roof.
- Sections — ceiling heights, attic space and any vaulted rooms.
- Framing notes — steeper roofs change truss design and sometimes wall bracing.
The good news: the floor plan usually stays almost the same. See how roof choices move cost in roof design and cost.
Exterior choices that move the budget
- Roof complexity — every extra gable, valley and dormer adds framing, flashing and labor.
- Roofing material — metal costs more than asphalt up front but lasts longer. Compare in asphalt vs. metal roof cost.
- Cladding — vinyl, fiber cement, wood, brick and stone vary several-fold per square foot.
- Window count and size — large black-frame windows are a big line item.
- Porches — a deep full-width porch adds foundation, framing and roofing.
Compare the most popular styles by look, cost and how well they suit your lot and climate.
Compare stylesWhat changing the exterior costs
| Change | Our package |
|---|---|
| New materials, trim, window grids and colors | Minor — $299 |
| Facade restyle: windows, porch, gables, garage doors | Standard — $599 |
| Full exterior redesign with a new roof form | Major — from $999 |
| 3D exterior render of the new look | +$149 |
We recommend the 3D render for any facade change — it's much easier to approve a look you can see than a line drawing.
How to get your exterior restyled
- Upload your plan and 2–3 photos of houses whose look you love.
- Tell us the style, materials, colors and anything you want to keep.
- We confirm scope within 1 business day — including whether the roof has to change.
- We redraw the elevations and roof, plus the render if you added it. Two revision rounds included.
Frequently asked questions
Can you change the exterior of a house plan without changing the floor plan?
Usually, yes. Materials, trim, windows and porches can change with little or no floor plan impact. A new roof form may shift ceiling heights or small wall positions.
Can you turn my plan into a modern farmhouse?
Yes. Most modern farmhouse conversions need steeper front gables, a new window pattern and board-and-batten or similar siding. It is typically a Standard Modification ($599), or Major if the whole roof changes.
Do I get to see the new exterior before building?
Yes. You receive updated elevations to review, and you can add a 3D exterior render (+$149) to see the look realistically.
How much does it cost to change a house plan exterior?
Materials and details: $299. A facade restyle: $599. A full exterior redesign with a new roof: from $999.
Can you modify a plan I bought from another website?
Yes — provided you own the plan or have permission / the right to modify it.