The Best Ways of Adding Value to Your Home

One important question you need to ask yourself before putting your house on the market is whether to renovate or not.If you wish to work your way up the ladder to the home of your dreams, you must know how to maximise the value of the house you’re selling. Here are some of the top ways you can add value to your property.

1. Focusing on kerb appeal

We all know that first impressions count, and that was never more true than when trying to sell your house. You want to make the home seem looked after and welcoming. One of the quickest and simplest ways to update the front of your house is with a new front door. Consider carefully the door material, as a buyer may not thank you for a new timber door which requires specialist care. Composite door types are increasingly popular because of their durability, low maintenance and they can appear like wood.

2. Converting the Garage to Living Space

If you don’t currently use the garage to house your vehicle, converting it into a living space might make sense particularly if you have ample parking space outside.The first step is checking that the garage is suitable for conversion and whether planning permission is required. In most instances, the work involved in a garage conversion will be considered as permitted development, which means that you don’t require planning permission, but it is always advisable to check with the local planning authority.

3. Extending Your Kitchen with a Side-return Extension

A side-return is the narrow alley running adjacent to the kitchen in a typical semi-detached or terraced house. Extending your kitchen into the side return and to the entire width of the rest of your house means gaining valuable space and can help improve the layout.A one-storey side-return extension is typically classified as permitted development but only if you meet certain conditions and limits. For instance, it should not be over 4 metres in height and should be no wider than the original width of the house.

4. A Conservatory to Increase Living Space

If you would like to feel particularly close to nature, a wholly glazed conservatory can be a great way to merge your indoors with the outdoors. To get started, think about how you would like to use the space and whether a traditional or modern style will be ideal for your lifestyle and home.The glass will be the greatest part of the conservatory, so ensure that you carefully explore your options. Double glazing might be the minimum standard allowed by the building regulations, but there are numerous glazing options available, which include self-cleaning glass and solar control glass. Always consider which option will best suit your home and lifestyle.You also have many options to choose from when it comes to the frame. The material that you select will affect the conservatory’s performance. Aluminium, timber and uPVC frames all have different properties, so do proper research and ask for advice from the experts.

5. Installing a New Bathroom

A new bathroom is bound to increase the value of your property. However, it can be quite an expensive investment. Fortunately, you can make updates on a budget if you please.Keep the current layout if you want to keep the costs low. Moving the sanitary-ware could mean having to relocate pipes, which will add to the costs. If you are updating your shower enclosure, for instance, you can invest in framed enclosures instead since they are usually cheaper. Instead of a concealed shower, you can choose an exposed model. Concealed showers are more expensive to install since the pipes have to be chased into the wall.Similarly, wall-hung sanitary-ware tends to cost more than floor-mounted versions. The reason for this is that brackets and cisterns have to be concealed within the walls. Save even more money by selecting a bathroom suite as opposed to buying individual pieces. You should also watch out for any seasonal sales.

5. Making the Living Area Open-Plan

You can transform your home and save on the cost of an extension by getting rid of the wall separating the kitchen and living room. It can be a DIY project or one that requires a professional; it will depend on whether the wall is load bearing. Taking down a load bearing wall without professional assistance may prove disastrous.If knocking down an internal wall is not an option, you may consider a side or rear extension. While this might be time-consuming and expensive, it will give you the exact space you want and potentially add value to your home.

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