To renovate or not to renovate? This is a crucial question if you’re considering putting your house on the market. If you do want to work your way up the property ladder and get your dream home, it’s important to understand how you can maximize the value of where you live right now. The following are some of the best ways we could find to add value to your property. Please note that the values quoted in the post are statistical assessments and are not guaranteed.
- Convert the Garage into Living Space
Estimated Value Added: 15% If you are not using the garage to keep your car, it makes a lot of sense to convert it into living space, especially if you have space for parking outside. The first step here is to determine if the garage is suitable for conversion, and whether you need any permissions or planning. In most cases, the work involved in converting the garage will be categorised as permitted development, and you won’t need any planning permission. However, it’s always wise to check with your local planning authority.
- Extend the Kitchen with a Side-return Extension
Estimated Value Added: 15% A side return is a narrow alley that runs next to the kitchen on the average semi-detached or terraced house. Extending the kitchen into the side return and the full-width of the rest of your house will give you extra space where you can improve the overall layout. A side-return on a single-storey house is usually classified as permitted development, so long as you meet certain conditions and limits. For instance, it has to be no more than 4m high, and no wider than ½ the width of the original house. As the extension is likely to have a flat roof over a single storey, a great way to bring in lots of natural light is by installing slimline roof lanterns. Flooding rooms with natural light makes any space feel open and inviting.
- Use a Conservatory to Increase Living Space
Estimated Value Added: 10% If you like feeling close to nature, then a fully-glazed conservatory can effectively bring the outdoors in. To get started, consider how you want to use the space, and whether a traditional or contemporary style will suite your home and lifestyle. The biggest component of your conservatory will be the glass, so take your time to explore the options. Although double glazing is the minimum standard allowed by building regulations, there are quite a number of glazing options available, including self-cleaning glass and solar control glass. Again, consider the type that will suit your home and lifestyle. There are also a number of options to consider when choosing the frame. In general, the material you choose will directly influence the performance of your conservatory. For instance, uPVC, aluminium and timber frames all have different qualities, so it pays to do your due diligence and ask experts for advice.
- Install a New Bathroom
Estimated Value Added: 3% to 5% Getting a brand new bathroom installed will certainly rise the overall property value. However, the investment can be quite expensive. Luckily for you, it’s possible to do great updates and renovations on a budget. To keep the price to a minimum, retain the existing layout. Keep in mind that moving the sanitary-ware means relocating the water pipes, which will add on to the costs. If you’re updating your shower enclosure, it’s good to know that framed enclosures are generally cheaper than frameless models. Many people prefer exposed showers than concealed shower models, since the latter cost a lot more to install due to the piping that needs to be recessed into the wall. Likewise, it’s much more expensive overall to install wall-hung sanitary-ware than the floor-mounted models. That’s because the brackets and cisterns have to be concealed within the walls. You can also save more money going for a bathroom suite instead of purchasing individual pieces. Be sure to also keep an eye out for seasonal sales.
- Make an Open-plan Living Area
Estimated Value Added: 3% to 5% You can easily transform your home and even save on the cost of an extension by knocking down the wall separating your living room and your kitchen. This can actually be a DIY job or call a professional to do it for you. If knocking down your wall isn’t an option for you, consider a side or rear extension. While it can be time consuming, it will yield the space you need while adding value to your home.
