Home improvements can not only make your property work better for you, but they can also add value if you’re thinking of selling.
In this guide, we reveal the home improvements that add the most value to your home, alongside the uplift you could see if you implement them.
What is the most popular home improvement?
Installing herringbone flooring was recently the most popular home improvement trend, followed by a kitchen renovation.
Other popular home improvements included:
- Creating a home office
- Adding wall panelling
- Installing a flagstone floor
- Building an outdoor kitchen
Which home improvement adds most value?
Consider these great house renovation ideas if you’re looking to add value to your home…
1. An annex
An annex is a self-contained living space, usually with its own kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, but that remains part of a main house.
Annexes have become more and more popular to house elderly relatives, or even older children, while also giving them a level of independence.
And adding an annex could increase your property’s value by as much as £17,000.
An annex is either attached to the main property or created in an existing or newly built outbuilding.
But planning permission for annexes can be confusing, so always seek advice from your local planning authority.
As a rule, an annex that has only a bedroom and living space but uses the kitchen and bathroom facilities of the main house, would be classed as ‘ancillary’ and wouldn’t require planning consent.
An ‘independent’ annex, though, with a bedroom, living space, kitchen, bathroom, and its own entrance would require planning permission.
2. A new roof
The average cost of a new roof is around £5,500, but replacing it could boost your home’s value by around £15,000.
A roof can have a lifespan of more than 20 years, so a new one can be hugely appealing to buyers.
More complex roofs can cost up to £18,000, with size, roof tile design and even your property’s location affecting the final price.
3. New kitchen
A new kitchen could boost your home’s value by as much as £13,000.
Kitchens have long been considered the heart of the home and a functional, spacious kitchen is always high on buyer wish lists.
While new kitchen units and a kitchen extension are likely to add the most value, improving your existing kitchen can also boost buyer appeal.
Consider painting your cabinets or adding new handles to breathe new life into your kitchen space even if your budget is tight.
4. A conservatory
A conservatory that’s functional and usable all year round could add as much as £13,000 to your property’s value.
Because conservatories are multi-functional, they remain popular with buyers and are a great way to add additional square footage to your home.
Before considering a conservatory, though, consider which way your property faces.
Conservatories that back on to south-facing gardens can be too hot to use in the summer months, while those that face to the north are often too chilly for use during the winter.
5. Improved windows
Buyers can be easily put off by windows that are old, decaying or not up to today’s modern, energy efficient standards.
So, it’s no surprise that new, improved windows could raise your home’s value by almost £13,000.
uPVC windows cost, on average, £320 per unit, meaning new windows for an average three-bedroom home could cost in the region of £4,000 to £5,000.
However, if your home is older and has wooden windows that add to its period charm, think carefully before adding uPVC versions as buyers may be put off by this.
6. Home gym
Home gyms grew in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic and adding one to your home could secure you an £11,000 uplift in value.
Think carefully about the best place to house your home gym, however.
Turning a spare bedroom into a workout space could put off buyers looking for lots of sleeping space, while converting a garage could also be seen as a negative, too.
If you have space, a garden gym can be a great home for your exercise space.
7. Renovated bathroom
Like kitchens, bathrooms often play a major part in buyer decision making.
A newly renovated bathroom is hugely appealing and could add almost £12,000 to your property’s value.
The number of bathrooms your property has will also come into buyer thinking, so if you have the space to add a downstairs cloakroom, or a master bedroom en-suite, this could further boost your home’s value.
8. A landscaped garden
Outdoor space is another area that’s in high demand from buyers.
A useable garden, suitable for everything from summer entertaining to children’s play, could mean more than £11,000 is added to the value of your home.
The cost of landscaping your garden can vary, depending on its size and the amount of groundwork required.
But if you’re planning to create an outdoor space with the wow factor, think about how buyers would want to use the space and the kinds of ‘zones’ they would want for entertaining, gardening and everything in between.
9. A new porch
For family buyers, or those with pets, a porch can be a major selling point.
Not only does a porch add a functional space for getting children ready or cleaning the family dog after a muddy walk but having one could also boost your property’s kerb appeal and add to its security.
The average cost of building a porch is around £7,000, but it could add around £11,000 to your home’s value.
10. New wooden flooring
Wooden flooring can be hard wearing and easy to clean and maintain – making it highly appealing to buyers.
It also looks stunning, meaning its perceived value is high even though it’s not adding square footage or specific functionality to your home.
You should expect to pay between £20 and £80 per square metre for real wood flooring, with labour on top if you call in a tradesperson to fit it, with engineered wood a slightly cheaper option
* Value increase data from ratedpeople.com
Energy saving home improvements
Energy efficiency is hugely attractive to buyers and improving your home’s eco-credentials could boost its value by up to 30%.
Energy saving home improvements you could consider include:
- Energy efficient doors and windows
- Loft and wall insulation
- Heating system upgrades
- Air and ground source heat pumps
- Energy efficient lighting
Do solar panels add value to your home?
Although it’s estimated solar panels take the average property between 10 and 15 years to recoup the initial cost of installing them through energy bill savings, they will add value to your home when you come to sell.
According to Dataloft, solar panels can add as much as £11.500 to your asking price which, when you consider how much they cost to add (around £5,875), is a fantastic return on investment.
Home improvements that don’t add value
While many home improvements can add considerable value to your home, there are also many that often don’t, including:
- Swimming pools and hot tubs
- Conversions of bedrooms into other spaces
- Garage conversions
- Expensive, luxury fixtures and fittings
- Wine cellars
- High-end, costly appliances - however these may improve your EPC rating.
If you're considering making home improvements and want to know if they'll add value, talk to your local property experts.
