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Top tips for renovating your home before sale
Clever homeowners know that the right home improvements can add real value to a property - and often don't require a big financial outlay or months to complete.
Property experts behind the Homebuilding and Renovating Show have got together to provide some useful tips for anyone who is looking to improve their home with a view to selling in the near future.
Tip 1 - Update your kitchen
One of the key rooms in your home, the kitchen can be given an effective makeover for only a modest outlay. If your cabinets are in good condition, consider adding new doors, handles and worktops.
Alternatively, spray paint your existing cupboard doors to give them a fresh new look. Remember that in a small house a new kitchen can cost as little as £1,500-£2,000, plus fitting.
Tip 2 - The business of bathrooms
Replacing a coloured bathroom suite for a white one could cost you as little as £500 and will completely transform this important room. If the walls look dingy, think about re-tiling. At least one shower in the house is a must for most people today, so if your bathroom is too small, create a shower room by taking space from a larger bedroom. A basic shower room need measure only 900mm wide by 2.6m if it is to include a toilet and basin.
Tip 3 - The smallest room
Most homes have scope somewhere for a downstairs loo and this will invariably add more value than it costs. Many buyers see a downstairs loo as a must-have. Consider under stairs space, a section of the hall or a large cupboard. A loo needs only 1.3m2 and today's compact sanitary ware allows even the smallest space to be used effectively.
Tip 4 - Be clever with your conservatory
A conservatory often requires no planning permission or Building Regulations approval and can be quick to build. A standard kit conservatory bought off the shelf (kits start at just £1,299) will add space and value but an integrated conservatory or sun room creating extra living space can add much more. Generally, the greater the proportional increase in floor space and the more usable the space, the more value it will add.
Tip 5 - Aspiring to lofty heights
According to the Halifax, a loft conversion can add the most value to your home. If a property is in the right location and the project properly managed, it is possible to recoup 100 per cent of the amount spent. As a general guide, expect to pay between £750-£1,000 per m2 - that's considerably less than the cost of the average extension. The best way to add value is to use the conversion for further bedrooms and an en-suite bathroom.
Tip 6 - A window onto the world
Shabby windows can put buyers off before they even get to the door but don't assume that replacing windows will automatically make a difference. Windows that are the wrong style, size and character can seriously damage appeal and value, particularly in a period home. However, double-glazing is essential for many buyers and will add at least as much as it costs to the value of a property, so it will never be money wasted.
Tip 7 - Kerb appeal
Improving kerb appeal costs little but can give a great return. Tidying up the garden and driveway, re-pointing brickwork or stonework, painting doors and windows and other external joinery, replacing an old garage door and repairing cladding and render are all worthwhile investments.
Tip 8 - Maintain the structure
Structural repairs and updating services such as heating and wiring should always be top priority. Ignoring the basics such as damp, structural movement or outdated wiring is a false economy. If a property is ready to move into, you'll broaden its appeal to a larger number of buyers, increase its value and sale price. For advice on finding a builder, visit The Federation of Master Builders website at www.fmb.org.uk.
Tip 9 - Never forget the basics
Painting and decorating is an excellent, cost-effective way of giving your home a new lease of life and can really put value on your house – but keep it neutral and hold the purple paint. Newly painted rooms in neutral colours appear bigger and brighter, improving your home's appeal and saleability.
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