How to increase the value of your home

Keeping your home in good condition is important, even if you have no plans of selling it. However, renovating can be expensive!

Here are renovations and improvements that increase the value of your home to buyers. From protecting against damp, to converting cellars or adding extensions, here’s a rough guide to how much improvements can cost and how much value they can add.

1. Damp Proof Your Home

Left untreated, damp issues can damage the structural integrity of your property and lead to costly repairs. Installing an effective damp-proofing course can help prevent future issues such as rising damp, penetrating damp, rotten floorboards and woodworm.

Why It Matters

• Preserves Property Value: Damp issues like water ingress can make your house deteriorate faster than it should.
• Protects Your Health: Exposure to dampness can cause sinus issues and irritation, especially for those sensitive to mould.
• Reduces Maintenance Costs: A damp proofed home needs less frequent repairs, extending its overall lifespan.

Costs vs. Value

The cost of damp proofing is around £150 to £200 per linear metre. While this may seem a lot (especially for large homes), fixing damp problems can improve your home’s value by around 10%. Plus, it can help save you from potential health issues and structural damage.

Pro Tip: Address any existing damp issues before selling – here’s how damp can devalue your home and lose potential buyers.

2. Convert Your Cellar or Attic

Converting empty spaces like cellars and attics into liveable rooms can be a smart way to increase your home’s value. Whether you require a studio, a home office, or an extra bedroom, conversions offer a new versatile space, without the need to move house.

Why It Matters

• Maximizes Space: Transforms underused areas into practical living, working or relaxing leisure spaces.
• Boosts Property Value: Adding extra rooms can increase your home’s value by up to 20% if you decide to sell.
• Improves Functionality: Tailor the space to suit your needs, whether it’s for storage or accommodation.

Costs vs. Value

The cost of converting a cellar or attic can range from £15,000 to £50,000, depending on the size and complexity of the project. However, such conversions can enhance your property’s value significantly. Combine with damp proofing projects to help future-proof your house.

Pro Tip: Cellar walls that touch the earth are at high risk of penetrating damp due to contact with water. To protect your newly renovated room and the rest of your property, use an effective cellar conversion service that will prioritise damp proofing your home.

3. Install a New Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most important rooms in your house. They can improve your daily life and significantly boost your property’s value. Both renovations can add a significant portion of their costs, with kitchens offering the highest return on investment.

Why It Matters

• Enhances Daily Comfort: A modern, comfortable kitchen or bathroom makes it nicer to spend your time in.
• Increases Property Value: Updated kitchens and bathrooms can add around 15-20% to your home’s overall value
• Fix Issues: You can address problems like old appliances, poor layouts, or worn fixtures like taps in bathrooms.

Costs vs. Value

Renovating a kitchen can cost between £5,000 and £30,000, depending on the work and materials you use, while a bathroom upgrade is typically around £2,500 to £10,000. You can focus on aesthetic improvements, or improve the utility of the space with new fixtures.

Pro Tip: Even small changes, such as energy-efficient lighting, or adding extra storage, can make a big impact without a full remodel.

4. Upgrade Doors & Windows

Replacing old windows and doors is a practical way to improve your home’s look and overall value. These upgrades can enhance energy efficiency, increase security, and boost your property’s curb appeal. First impressions can often have an impact on selling prices too.

Why It Matters

• Energy Efficiency: Old windows and doors let draughts in, making your energy bills and rating less appealing.
• Enhances Security: Sturdy, well-fitted windows and doors improve your home’s safety by deterring potential intruders
• Curb Appeal: Upgrading can dramatically improve the look of your home’s exterior, making a good first impression.

Costs vs. Value

Replacing the windows in a typical three-bedroom house can cost £4,000 to £7,000. A new front door costs between £500 and £2,000, depending on materials. However, these improvements can add around 10% to your property’s value, not to mention savings on bills.

Pro Tip: Choose energy-efficient glazing and secure locking systems, to attract home buyers who are eco-friendly or security-conscious.

5. Update Your Home Decor

Redecorating can be a budget-friendly way to increase the value of your home. A fresh lick of paint can help transform a property’s look. Not only will it make your house more attractive to buyers, but you can make your home feel more comfortable for yourself too.

Why It Matters

• Budget-friendly: You can make a good difference to your home’s value, without spending on major renovations.
• First Impressions: Like doors and windows, your decor is one of the first things buyers will notice about the property.
• Market Appeal: Neutral walls, carpets, and fabrics are appealing to people who don’t want to do DIY after moving.

Costs vs. Value

Hiring a decorator can cost thousands of pounds, but it’s much cheaper to do it yourself. If you’re wallpapering or tiling a room, or replacing flooring or carpets, look out for sales and discounts at DIY stores. A well-decorated home can add a small but significant 5-10%.

Pro Tip: Focus on key areas like the living room and entryway, and ensure work is done to last (hire a professional if you’re in doubt).

6. Enhance Your Outdoor Space

Your outdoor space is an important part of your home and one where you can add a lot of value. By creating a functional, attractive garden or patio, you’ll attract buyers who consider one a must-have. You could even add a self-contained garden room with a variety of purposes.

Why It Matters

• Curb Appeal: A tidy garden makes an attractive first impression to potential buyers and visitors to your home.
• Expands Space: Adding a garden room creates an extra space for dining, relaxing, or whatever you want.
• Essential for Some: Pet owners, families, or keen gardeners may specifically be looking for an outdoor space.

Costs vs. Value

The cost of improving your garden will vary on its size and what you want to do. A low-maintenance patio can be added for between £1,000 and £3,500, while a garden room could cost up to £20,000. But, an annexe in the garden could add an extra 10% value.

Pro Tip: Low-maintenance landscaping, or adding lights and seating, can help a house feel more inviting without breaking the bank.

7. Improve Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient homes reduce your energy bills, and they’re more appealing to environmentally-friendly buyers. Having a modern and well-insulated home with a good energy rating and highly rated appliances is increasingly important. It impacts your home’s value too.

Why It Matters

• Lower Bills: Saving money on your energy bills can help you afford to spend money on other areas of your life.
• Attract Buyers: Having a good EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) can be a priority for people looking to buy.
• Green Credentials: Sustainable features like solar panels or heat pumps are a unique selling point to highlight.

Costs vs. Value

Adding loft insulation can cost around £1,000 or less, but can save hundreds per year and add up to 14% to your home’s value. Eco-friendly features like triple glazing, solar panels, and smart thermostats can all help reduce energy costs and make your home greener.

Pro Tip: Combine energy-efficient upgrades with attractive home improvements, such as new windows and doors, to help stop heat loss.

8. Fix Structural Defects

Cracks in the walls, wonky roofs and uneven floors can deter people from buying your home. Not only do they leave a bad first impression, but they may suggest underlying issues with structural integrity. By addressing them early, you can maintain your home’s value.

Why It Matters

• Prevents Future Issues: Fixing defects early on can stop them from spiralling expensively out of control.
• Boosts Buyer Confidence: Homes with no structural issues are less likely to raise concerns during a survey.
• Protects Home Value: Visible defects reduce the price people will pay for your home if you decide to sell.

Costs vs. Value

If you’re considering selling your home, it’s important to fix structural issues. Problems can be expensive to fix, such as underpinning which can cost thousands of pounds. However, untreated subsidence, leaks, and defects can reduce the value of your property.

Pro Tip: Damp proofing your home, or arranging a property survey, can help stop structural issues from developing or getting worse.

9. Add a Home Extension

Adding a one or two-storey extension is a way to increase the value of your home. It can be used as an extra bedroom, office, bathroom or utility room. Or, adding a conservatory or garage can be a less intrusive option for adding value and functionality to your property.

Why It Matters

• Increases Space: Ideal for a growing family or additional functional areas, such as a home office or utility room.
• Adds Value: Extra square footage can significantly add value to your home and raise the market price when selling.
• Buyer Appeal: People are often drawn to homes with modern layouts and ample space for guests or hobbies.

Costs vs. Value

Extensions are one of the most expensive changes to your home, but also one of the most valuable. An extension can cost a few thousand pounds per metre, while a garage or conservatory can cost around £10,000 to £50,000 in total, depending on its size and complexity.

Pro Tip: A well-designed extension can add up to 20% to your home’s value, making it a lucrative improvement to your property.

10. Smart Heating or Lighting

Similar to eco-friendly upgrades, investing in a modern heating or lighting system can make your home more comfortable and raise its value. They give you more control over your environment, and can often be worked remotely. Master them to reduce your bills.

Why It Matters

• Remote Control: Smart heating and lighting can be connected to apps, which is ideal if you need remote control.
• Save Money: Upgrading your heating and lights can help you spend less on your heating bills, saving you money.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Good lighting gives immediate aesthetic appeal and can make a home look more cosy or attractive.

Costs vs. Value

Upgrading your thermostats or heating system can be expensive, but is often made back due to reduced energy bills. Smart lighting can also save you money, through automated controls and usage monitoring. It adds a few percentage points to your home value too.

Pro Tip: Combine aesthetic with eco-friendly lighting, to attract both tech-savvy and environmentally conscious buyers to your home.

11. Invest in Storage Space

Adding more storage space is one way to make your home more organised and appealing to buyers. Nobody likes to see clutter, and adding smart storage can help hide away your not-so-essentials. From Sliderobes to attic space, storage adds value to your home.

Why It Matters

• Declutter Your Home: Better-organised spaces look more inviting and tidy, which gives a good first impression.
• Improve Functionality: Investing in smart storage solutions makes it easier to find and hide objects in your home.
• Boost Property Value: Buyers appreciate homes with ample storage space in bedrooms, outside or in the attic.

Costs vs. Value

Built-in can cost upward of £1,000 to a few thousand pounds, adding style and a few percentage points of value. An under-stair compartment could cost a couple of hundred pounds while adding loft boarding to your attic can cost between £500 and £1,000.

Pro Tip: Custom-built storage solutions can maximise awkward spaces while making your home feel more spacious for potential buyers.

12. Convert to Open-Plan Rooms

One of the biggest boosts to your home’s value can be removing a non-structural wall to create an open-plan living space. Done correctly, removing a wall can make your home feel more light and spacious, offering a large and versatile area to buyers viewing your home.

Why It Matters

• Light & Space: With the right layout and window placement, removing a wall can create an airy and modern space.
• Boosts Value: Open-plan living is a sought-after feature, and can add significant value to your property if done right.
• Social Living: Combining rooms in your home can create ideal spaces for entertaining guests, family, and friends.

Costs vs. Value

The cost depends on what the wall is holding up and whether it includes doorways. If it’s a load-bearing wall, it could cost you a few thousand pounds to remove it, including a consultation and adding steel beams for support. Find out more about removing walls here.

Pro Tip: Obviously, consult a structural engineer before removing walls to ensure safety and ensure the benefits outweigh the costs!

Improve Your Home One Step at a Time

Increasing the value of your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Far from happening overnight, think of it as a long-term investment.

Whether it’s a fresh lick of paint or building an extension, each improvement from this list can contribute to a more comfortable home. Remember to thoroughly research the costs before you start a project, or ask a tradesperson for estimates based on the size and complexity of your plans. We are happy to help you with all of our recommended home renovations and make a plan.

If you’re interested in damp proofing, cellar conversion, or a free property survey, get in touch with our friendly team today!

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