Renovating a property is likely to increase its value ahead of a sale. Experienced renovators purposely buy period buildings to renovate them before selling on at a profit, moving on to another property to repeat the process. If you are considering putting your house on the market and want to maximise its worth, here are five ways to add value to your home.
Loft conversion
Loft conversions are becoming increasingly popular not just because they add so much value to your property, but they also serve as a short-term solution for creating more space if buyers cannot afford to move home. It is one of the best investments that can be made in any home and experts estimate it can add up to 15% to the value of your home when an extra bedroom is created.
The good news is that most lofts can be converted, but it is always best to get it checked by a professional company as there are minimal height requirements that must be met. Planning restrictions are also very rare, with most conversions falling into the permitted development bracket. This is another main reason why loft conversions have become so popular over the past decade.
There are a number of different types of conversion available. This includes a roof light conversion, which is usually the cheapest as it involves the least amount of construction work. Mansard conversions are a style of loft conversion which includes a flat roof and are typically more expensive and may require planning permission due to the changes required. Always make sure you check with your local panning authority before any work begins.
Upgrade your kitchen
Kitchens are often the focal point of the home and experience high levels of foot traffic throughout the day. House hunters always closely examine the size and condition of the kitchen and it pays to either extend or renovate the existing space to increase the property value.
Whether it’s fitting new appliances, installing new fixtures and fittings, or simply painting the walls, there are a number of ways to make the kitchen more attractive. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) believe an upgraded kitchen can add as much as 4% to the value of a house.
You do not have to spend a fortune on upgrading the kitchen, especially if it is relatively new. Brand new worktops can make all the difference, as can installing new lighting, which makes the room seem larger and more spacious. It will be one of the first rooms prospective buyers will walk into and it pays to make an immediate impression that will stay with them once they have left.
Update your fireplace
Creating a feature piece in your living room will make it immediately stand out to buyers. Not only will it look fantastic surrounding by the right décor, but it provides a valuable source of heat in the room. Whether it means installing a brand new fireplace or restoring an old one, it can add thousands of pounds to the value of your home.
The warmth generated by a fireplace also means central heating is used less, leading to further cost savings. It can also heat rooms upstairs as heat always rises, making this an extremely attractive feature for current occupants and those who may be thinking of purchasing the house.
A well installed fireplace will also add value to a flat or apartment. People are always attracted to these features because of the homely, warm glow they produce. Those that have smokeless fuel technology can also be used in terraced housing, where in years past they would’ve been deemed unsafe.
Add a conservatory
The changes made to planning permission has also seen a boom in the building of conservatories across the UK. A fully glazed conservatory is the ideal way to add more space, increase the value of the property and will allow you to enjoy the views of the garden on a more regular basis.
Consideration has to be given to the type of glazing you want to install in the extension. Double glazing is the minimum standard permitted by building regulations, although you can include solar control or self-cleaning glass to help with ongoing maintenance. This should be based on the local climate and the best option to suit your lifestyle.
In terms of the structural frame, uPVC and aluminium are often the preferred choice. Each has their own pros and cons and will influence the performance levels of the conservatory. Calling on a conservatory specialist enables you to decide on which one suits your needs best.
Although building a conservatory is also deemed as a permitted development, building regulations still apply. These can be determined by working with a professional conservatory building firm who will usually offer to take care of the paperwork.
Go eco-friendly
Not only will making your home eco-friendly save you money, but also make it a more attractive purchase for buyers. Energy efficiency is one of the best ways to consistently reduce energy bills and there are a number of alterations that can be made to both older properties and newer developments.
Windows are usually the first port of call, especially for properties built some decades ago. Double or secondary glazing installation instantly helps to reduce heat loss, lowering expenditure on energy bills across the year.
Insulation is one of the best ways to make any home more energy efficient. It can be installed in the loft to stop heat loss through the roof space, as well as being placed in walls and flooring across the home.
Recticel Eurowall is ideal for cavity wall insulation – which exists in most homes built post-1920. Recticel Eurothane PL Insulation Board is suitable for solid brick walls, while Rockwool RW3 Acoustic Insulation Slabs instantly improves insulation in timber stud walls.
Knauf Loft Roll is the preferred choice to instantly insulate the loft and roof space. Celotex TB4000 Insulation Board should be used underneath solid floors, and Kay-Cel EPS 70 Polystyrene Flooring Insulation is ideal for any suspended floors in the property.
