The home improvements that add value to your property BACK HOME Call Now for more information 07733 - 052642 The home improvements that add value to your property “Adding a double bedroom can add more than 10 per cent to the value” Conservatories that are made with quality materials and provide a lot of light add notable value to a home CREDIT: SIOBHAN DORAN 3 MAY 2016 • 5:49PM Here’s how to make your house become a moneymaker rather than a money pit. Certain additions can vastly increase the value of your home. But before you pour money into a project, it’s important to know what return – if any – you’re likely to get. The Office of National Statistics found we spend nearly £30 billion a year on home improvements in the UK – that’s £43 million a week. So how do we know we’re splashing all that cash on the right projects? The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) asked professionals what they believed were the top modifications to add significant value. Around 50 per cent said an extra bedroom - followed by an upgraded kitchen, extra bathroom and conservatory. “Adding a double bedroom can add more than 10 per cent to the value”

Extension Extra bathroom Conservatory Extra bedroom These are some of the top home improvements, and how to ensure you get the best return on your investment. Extension Adding square footage is pretty much guaranteed to boost value, whether it’s adding a kitchen or dining area with a single-storey extension, which usually doesn’t require planning permission, or a double extension for extra bedrooms. Expect to pay upwards of £20,000, adding an estimated value of 11 per cent (around £33,000 on the average UK home). Extra bathroom Squeezing in an extra bathroom can boost your home’s value by a typical five per cent – nearly £15,000 on the average home. En suites are also very much in demand, as people are increasingly looking for comfort and simplicity. The cost can vary wildly, from around £2,500 to upwards of £6,000, so don’t go too wild when it comes to tiles and taps. Go for affordable quality rather than OTT luxury (unless you own a mansion) and think about what might appeal to buyers looking in your area, rather than making decisions based on personal taste. Open-plan living area Mark Hayward, managing director of the NAEA says open-plan living is still very desirable for many house hunters, with simple, practical spaces at a premium. “When searching for a home to buy, house-hunters are usually looking for a useable space – an open plan kitchen and dining room is becoming a must,” he comments. Which? found that a new kitchen typically costs £8,000, and could add six per cent (average £18,000) in value. Conservatory These glass houses are becoming cool again – so long as they are actually made of glass. Conservatories built on the cheap with uPVC can actually deter buyers, and can feel very dated. “Conservatories will add value to a home, but they need to be made with quality materials and provide a lot of light in order for the value to be significant,” says Mark Hayward. Done correctly, a conservatory costing between £4,000 and £10,000 could increase value by five per cent – an average of around £15,000. Remember that gardens also add significant value, so strike a balance between adding the extra room and minimising outdoor space. The ideal is to have a conservatory or orangery which acts as a segue between indoors and outdoors. Extra bedroom Experts agree that creating an extra bedroom, especially with a loft conversion, offers the best bang for your buck.

It could cost anything between £15,000 to £40,000 depending on the size and other variables. Some homes may have space for repositioning without an extension, for example. But figures from a Nationwide survey suggest the investment pays off. Adding a double bedroom can add more than 10 per cent to the value. Based on current values, that’s around £30,000 on the average UK home. Budget carefully according to your house size and current market value, and you could be on to a winner.