Estimate for Hardie? I didn't but only b/c we got got the painting done for "only" $8k (note that I have a dutch colonial: brick 1st floor, only painting to be done was 2nd floor (white cedar shingles) and tiny kitchen porch railings and 6 window shutters.) This was after estimates for $15k and $12k IIRC. If we were planning to stay here long term I'd definitely reside next time. (Would research to see whats new first. There's a faux cedar shingle called "Cedar Impressions" another 1920s house used. They also have color choices like Hardieboard. That home looks new still - been at least 5 years since they resided. In another part of my town with tear downs/new construction: all have composite siding - so I'd go find out what they have. I don't ever see new builds with wood siding here.) As I get older anything I can do to make maintenance easier/less often is worth considering. I'd guess that the labor hours for residing is similar to that of painting - so probably wouldn't cost that much more. (Labor is, by far, the biggest cost to paint - sounds like in your area too as goodness knows paint doesn't cost $15k.) But finding a skilled carpenter is probably harder than finding a painter here.

I live in the Midwest where we are blessed with real winters and buggy summers. We put triple track storm windows on our last house because we weren’t staying and didn’t want to invest in thermal windows. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to put on and how really well they insulated. We were able to match the exterior color of our house trim and the sash height so they looked appropriate on the outside. Not replacing the window meant that we didn’t have to worry about messing up the interior aesthetics of an old house. Plus, screens are great for summer so you can open up your house. Honestly, if the windows in our current old house had been in good shape and functional I would have considered using triple tracks again. The only real downside is washing but I can hire a lot of window washers for the cost difference. So much better than what I remember as a kid!!

To make this home a better fit for your needs and preserve the architectural character requires a careful balancing of the floor plan and exterior with your lifestyle needs and budget. You can do a sympathetic addition--one that looks like it was part of the original home--or one is distinctly different. To get it right, you'll need to engage professionals who do that for a living. You may find a remodeler with in-house design resources that has a great portfolio and track record designing and building additions or you may need to hire an independent residential designer or architect. In either case, I recommend you get both the designer/architect and remodeler to collaborate with you from the outset--that gives you the best opportunity to achieve as many objectives as you can within your budget target. Best wishes for a successful project.

It's been awhile since I made an update, but this is where I'm at now: Crown moulding is installed and painted. Double-curtain rods and sheer curtains are up, but talked to my aunt who mentioned that I should consider reinstalling them above the window to give the windows a longer sleeker look. Took down the art deco chandelier to have it cleaned and fixed, but I accidentally tipped it over while it was on the floor and it shattered into a thousand pieces. Turns out it was made of cheap pewter. So I found and installed a Turkish style chandelier I received from a seller in Turkey on Etsy. I also installed similar styled Turkish sconces (I'll be replacing the globes with more colorful ones soon). I pulled up the carpet from both rooms. I painted the fireplace insert black. I painted the ugly gold lamp stands black, and added new shades. Things still left to do: I'm still looking for a chandelier for the living room. Repair and refinish the floors (the floor needs a number of boards refilled). Figure out what to do about the gap between the floor and the quarter-round/baseboard that was revealed after I pulled the carpet up. Replace current projector screen with a floor-rising one so that I'm no longer covering 80% of the front window at all times. Install a picture rail about an inch and a half under the crown moulding. Update/add electrical outlets (which will include an upgrade to my breaker). replace carpet in the living room with a Persian style carpet that's approx. 9' x 12'. Replace couch and coffee table. Retile the front of the fire-place. Have a number of the cracks in the plaster repaired. Acquire and hang paintings and framed posters on the walls. And that's just the Living Room and Dining Room. Sigh...