How to increase the value of your home
Here are renovations and improvements that increase the value of your home to buyers.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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).
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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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