The Best and Worst Improvements if Your Want Your House to Appreciate in Value

It’s scary to see how many people jump into massive home improvement projects without doing their homework. Some people hear somewhere that a certain type of renovation will be a winner with buyers, only to execute it poorly. Others go based on outdated trends and end up making their house less valuable and attractive to the average buyer.

This is why you need to take your time before making major changes if you want to make sure that you’ll get a positive return on your investment. Here are some of the best and worst improvements if you want your house to appreciate in value.

Best – uPVC Windows

Energy-efficient changes to your house will be welcomed by most buyers. Most sensible improvements are likely to give you a good return on investment. One of the best green modifications you can do is add uPVC windows.
Prospects will love the idea of being able to save money on energy. Double glazed uPVC windows provide some of the best insulation you can find considering that up to 70% of your heat will escape through windows if you’re using single-glazed ones.

Installing uPVC windows is also a very straightforward project and is rather affordable when considering the returns you can make. This is all dependent on whether you work with the right team, however. Ideally, pick a reputable company such as the Home Design Group to work with. They will be able to guide you through the different options out there and guide you towards the best ones for your needs and budget.

Worst – Merging Rooms

Combining two small bedrooms to create a single big one might sound like a great option for you, but not necessarily for potential buyers. Buyers will care more about having as many rooms as possible than the size of the rooms themselves. Houses are advertised based on the number of rooms they have in large part and having a very big master bedroom will not add much to your listing. So, think twice about getting rid of any room.

Best – Adding Space

Adding living space, however, will almost always be a winner if it’s properly executed. The best option would be to convert existing space, though building out or up are also viable options.

Converting a cellar space or loft can be a great way to add living space to your house easily. These are often left untouched and could allow you to add as much as 30% more floor space. You have to make sure that you know what these modifications entail, however.

In some cases, you will need to get a permit. You also have to make sure that your cellar is fit to be transformed into a living space. This will depend on the construction of the house and the rules in your jurisdiction.
It’s estimated that it could cost you around £11,500 to convert a loft and it will add about 12.5% to your home’s value. Converting a cellar will cost you a bit more at around £20,000 but will also give you a greater return at 20% on average.

If you decide to extend your home, however, you will need to be careful. While adding square footage to your property will usually translate to a higher property value, many things have to be taken into consideration such as the architecture of the house, the materials used, and positioning. This will all influence how much you pay for the addition, and how much you can expect to get back.

Worst – Building a Conservatory

One thing you don’t want to do, however, is to add a conservatory. While it can be a relatively cheap way to add square footage to a home, this one is a bit outdated and will only appeal to a fraction of buyers. Temperature control also tends to be a common issue with these. This means that you could end up spending much more on energy than you do now and will have to foot the bill until the house is sold.

Best – Sensible Bathroom and Kitchen Additions

When asking which additions would be the best to increase the value of the home, most people think about the bathroom and the kitchen. And it makes sense since these are two of the most important rooms for homeowners and buyers. However, the type of renovations you make there will determine what kind of return you can expect if there’s any.

Going overboard with the bathroom is a major mistake. The worst one you can do is turn the whole bathroom upside down. Moving major components around will complicate the process and you’ll have to pay more both for materials and hours worked on the project. The same goes for the kitchen. If you start moving plumbing and electricity components around, you’ll have to pay much more and risk ending up with issues that could delay the project even further.

So, if you’re going to do some work in these areas, be as sensible as possible. In the bathroom, try to go for partial tiling whenever you can. Combining tiles and paint is a great way to get a beautiful look for a reasonable price. Another thing you can do is mix and match expensive tiles with affordable ones. You can surround patches of expensive ties with cheaper tiles, for instance. This will allow you to keep your costs down while showcasing your precious tiles even more.

Try to use veneer and brick slips whenever you can as well. That goes both for the bathroom and the kitchen. A nice brick backsplash could be all that it takes to elevate your kitchen. Add a few new cabinets and upgraded storage and you’ll have a brand new kitchen on a dime.

These are some of the best and worst renovations for those who were thinking of putting their house on the market. Always make sure that you do your research before you perform any renovation and work with people who have your best interest in mind.