Add Value To Your Home

We've come up with six simple steps that will add value to your home, but always seek an estate agents advice to make sure the added value will apply to your property. All homes have a ceiling price so its vital to make sure that the cost is not so expensive that you wont make a profit or even lose money on your investment.

Convert the loft

This is the most cost-effective way to gain extra li2238ving space and you should be able to do it if your home was built before 1975 and/or the loft has a maximum headroom of 2.3m. Work costs from around 20,000 and takes about six to 12 weeks. Creating a double bedroom with en suite is the most popular option and Nationwide Building Society estimates it could add 21% to the value of your home. Take professional advice before you start because the conversion must meet building and fire regulations.

Build an extension

Adding a single-storey extension can start at around 30,000, while two storeys can cost from 40,000. According to Nationwide Building Society, a ground-floor extension can increase your propertys value by around 5%, while adding a bedroom to create a three-bed house will add 12%. When planning, make rooms as big as possible, but dont sacrifice too much garden as it can make a property feel out of balance and deter buyers. Check with the local planning office to see if you need permission. Work must also comply with Building Regulations and be inspected and passed at key stages

Buy a better kitchen

A new kitchen will make your property more appealing to buyers and can add as much as 4% to its value, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). But always keep expense in proportion to the size of your property. For example, theres little chance of adding value or even recouping costs if you add a bespoke 25,000 kitchen to a 170,000 semi

Add an extra bathroom

A new en suite or second bathroom can add 5% to your homes value according to Nationwide Building Society, but dont do it at the expense of a double bedroom, as this could devalue your property. Simply renewing a bathroom suite will also make your home more saleable, but you may only recoup 25% of your costs.

Invest in a conservatory

Adding a conservatory can raise your houses value by 4% to 5% according to the RICS and is a relatively simple and cost-effective way of increasing your space. Choose a design that complements the style of your home and make sure it doesnt dominate your garden. Also think about its position: a south-facing conservatory needs ventilation and shade, while a north-facing room requires good heating. Check with your local planning department whether you need permission. If youre within your homes permitted development allowance (your local planning department can advise on this) and your conservatory is separated from your house by patio doors, you may be exempt.

Go For Eco Upgrades

Beatthatquote.com predicts that within three years an eco-friendly house will be worth 6% more than a standard one and many of the ecological improvements you can make, like adding insulation and fitting solar-panel heating, will also save money when it comes to energy bills. According to Nationwide Building Society, laying 27cm-thick loft insulation will reduce heating bills by 210-250 per year, and cavity wall insulation will save 210-250 per year. Prices start at 1,500 for a solar water heater, which can provide up to 70% of your hot water free. Government grants are available to help you make these ecological improvements.

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