If you're looking to sell your home or make some much-needed improvements, then there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you get the best possible results. From updating your appliances to revamping your garden, these easy home improvement tasks show that you don't have to spend a fortune in order to make your home more desirable, and significantly increase its value.
What with the huge increase in home working, which seems to be the way of the future even post-pandemic, an outdoor garden room that is connected to mains electricity can, according to The Property Centre, increase a property's value by 5-10%. Planning permission is not usually required, but if you live in a listed building or your home is in a designated area, double-check with your local planning office to see if you have permitted rights.
Everyone loves brand-new appliances, so if your home boasts an old heating system, an outdated washing machine or a grimy refrigerator, you could inadvertently be putting potential buyers off. Invest in high-quality, energy-efficient appliances and you could boost the interest in, and value of, your home. However, be wary of splashing out unnecessarily on pieces that don't hold their value and keep your expenditure in line with the house itself – designer white goods will always help sell a mansion but you may not recover your costs on a three-bedroom family home...
If your heating system is old or a little unpredictable, it might be worth upgrading it before you place your home on the market. If this is the case, relocating the new boiler to the loft, basement or utility room will free up space. And it's not just aesthetics – a boiler move can improve results for hot water demand, too.
Maybe you prefer showers more than a long hot soak, but in a recent interview conducted by Victoria Plum, property expert Sarah Beeny said: "I would strongly suggest having a bath in place if you’re looking to sell. With no bath, I feel you’re limiting your market…you can always have a shower above a bath." It's a bathroom staple, especially for young families where bathtime is part of a regular routine.
If it's located in your front garden, your fencing could be the first thing people see when they approach your home. So, if yours is looking a little worse for wear, it could be time to fix it for good. Unsightly, broken or shabby fence panels can devalue a home and since they cost about the same amount as a simple restaurant lunch, replacing them is a cheap but easy way to transform your garden and add kerb appeal to your pad.
Often, house hunters are put off if a property's décor is old fashioned. Is your wallpaper peeling or are your bathroom tiles looking a little drab? Well, you'll be surprised how new plasterboards and a fresh lick of paint can totally transform your home. If you have the budget to get a decorator in to help you fix any obvious issues, then you'll be able to show off your property in the best light. Remember, keep it simple so that potential buyers can envisage the space as their own.
Squeezing a downstairs toilet onto your ground floor is super-practical and nowadays considered a necessity in most homes. Whether it's an under-the-stairs space saver, utility room upgrade or an add-on to a new porch, a cloakroom is on many buyers' wish lists and, according to Checkatrade, can add up to 5% to the value of your property.
Property value can often hinge on the number of bedrooms a home has. In fact, studies show that an extra bedroom could increase a home's value by between 13%–18%. Therefore, if you have a spare room that's currently not being put to good use, there could be an opportunity for you to make your house more desirable. Clear out the clutter, add a bed if there isn't already one and turn that redundant room into an extra bedroom. With more bedrooms, you will be able to attract a broader range of buyers.
The biggest, and arguably cheapest, improvement you can make to your house is to declutter. No one wants to see someone's belongings strewn around or endless ornaments covering every surface. Have a clear-out and rid your rooms of junk. If you're keen to keep hold of your personal effects, then move them out of sight so that they can't be seen by any visitors or put them into storage until you sell the house.
If your loft space is big enough, then consider converting it into a dedicated bedroom. While converting an attic space is no simple or cheap task, it could seriously enhance your home. In fact, according to research carried out by Nationwide, loft conversions that provide a double bedroom and bathroom can, on average, increase a home's value by as much as 22%.
With space at a premium, every inch of storage counts. If you have any secret storage spaces hiding in your home, whether a cupboard under the stairs or some extra loft space, don’t just use them as a dumping ground. Clear it out so that any buyer can see exactly how much space they will have to play with.
According to research by the AA, a well-kept back garden can add as much as 5%, or £11,000, to the value of the average UK home. But in order to do so, the space really has to look its best. Overgrown weeds and out-of-control shrubs aren't going to entice anyone, so make sure the lawn has been mowed, cut back any bushes that might make the space look smaller and have a general tidy-up. Even just sweeping the paths will make a big difference.
Adding a conservatory doesn’t have to cost a fortune. What’s more, that extra space will only add value to your property – typically around 5-10%, according to Home Improvement Quote Today. Building a conservatory doesn't usually require planning permission either, but there are a few quid pro quos, so be sure to double-check with your local authority first. Plus, with extra glazing drawing additional sunlight into your home, your interior will be a bright and inviting space that's sure to seduce buyers.
According to Checkatrade, a single-storey extension can add around 5–8% to the value of your house, while a double-storey build can give a boost of up to 12%. However, it's a good idea to evaluate whether the estimated cost of the extension will be lower than the potential added value, which will depend on your area. However, building an extra bedroom or transforming the kitchen into a spacious and practical kitchen-diner is pretty much guaranteed to increase your asking price.
Even if you don’t have the cash to pay for an extension, you can have the planning permission in place for the next owners. This could really boost the appeal of your property since it shows potential investors that renovations or improvements are not only feasible but readily permitted and ready to go!
It's no secret that the bathroom and the kitchen are the most important rooms when it comes to selling a house. Keep any improvements very simple. A chic floor and a bright, clean suite can do wonders. Ensure the taps are well polished, consider putting in a heated towel rail and if you need a shower screen, opt for glass over a curtain.
Firstly, make sure it isn’t load-bearing! But generally, buyers are more impressed with how much usable living space they have, rather than the number of rooms – this doesn't apply to bedrooms, of course. So consider knocking down a wall in order to create a bright, open-plan space. This will give you one impressive room, rather than two underwhelming ones. Then, sit back and watch your home’s value soar.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, not just where you make your food, and a brand new kitchen can add between 4-10% if it's done well. However, simply ensuring your appliances are all up to date, painting the cupboards, updating handles and buffing up the work surfaces will also give your kitchen a new lease of life.
The hallway is the first part of the interior that viewers see. The trouble is, entryways are often the narrowest and darkest part of the house. Installing a mirror on either wall will make your hall look much bigger and will allow natural light to fill the entire space. This will not only boost its attractiveness to buyers but also its value.
The front of the house is the first aspect a potential buyer will see, so it’s important to make a good first impression. Giving the outside a fresh lick of paint means you’re off on the right foot but also clean your windows, consider investing in some potted plants and hide any rubbish or mess away until the viewings are over.
There’s no point in having a nicely spruced-up exterior if your front door looks a mess. This is a really easy fix – you may get away with simply giving the doorknob and letterbox a decent polish but new stainless steel numbers or a nice, new knocker can also be a good investment. Plus, with a plethora of exterior paints available, you can be as bold as you like when it comes to colour, however, a classic shade such as black will appeal to more buyers.
If you live in an area where parking is at a premium, then dedicated space to park in front of the house will likely be a big selling point. Not only will driveway parking entice more potential buyers, but it will also be far easier to maintain than endless flowerbeds – another plus point for house hunters. According to Checkatrade, the average cost of a dropped kerb is around £1,500 but could add 5-10% in value.
Adding central heating to a property that doesn’t have it will always add more value than it costs – in fact, it's one of the best investments you can make to increase your property's value, according to Estate Agent Today. It’s generally considered essential for homebuyers today.
This is a big one for two reasons: obviously, there’s the cash involved; if your home is energy efficient, you’re less likely to run up massive bills. But buyers today are almost just as likely to be concerned about the environment. If your home is helping the planet, that can only help you sell it.
Most of us have a host of gadgets today, from laptops to tablets and game consoles – and they all need to be plugged in somewhere. Make sure that you have plenty of sockets on offer in areas where they don’t look too ugly. You can even hide wireless chargers and retractable sockets inside cabinets and worktops, so you can provide extra power without affecting the look and feel of your home. You'll also get extra points for wireless charging options and USB ports in power sockets.
Go through each room of your house and see if there are any superficial defects on show, whether it’s a creaking door, a leaking tap or a loose tile. Each and every one will dent the attractiveness of your home to a buyer, so go through and fix everything you can.
OK, this might not be cheap but it can be very important. Just as buyers view central heating as essential today, the same goes for double glazing. Research conducted by window experts SEH BAC reported that not only will double-glazed windows improve energy efficiency, and therefore lower the cost of rising bills, but could increase your home's value by 10%.
The floor is an often overlooked part of the home, but it’s a crucial selling point. Buyers will be turned off by old, stained carpets or wooden flooring that is horribly scratched. Replacing the floors entirely may be too costly but a little bit of work to remove stains or scuffs can go a long way. Alternatively, you could lay down some new rugs that you can take with you.
A recent study found that replacing worn-out areas of the roof provided a 63% return on investment. The logic is simple: if the buyer thinks they might need to deal with a leak or the cost of replacing tiles, it will bump down the price they are willing to pay. Repairing a small area of tiling, as opposed to replacing the whole roof, should be a relatively cost-effective way to up your home's value, costing an average of £210 per square metre, according to Checkatrade.
If you want to really show off your home, you need to show it in its best light – literally. Make sure there is plenty of natural light in the property by opening curtains and blinds and giving all the windows a good clean and be sure to improve your light fixtures, too. For any evening viewings, turn on ambient lighting to create a warm glow in any social spaces.
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