There are plenty of home improvements that can add value to your home and others which are designed to enhance your lifestyle or make your home more comfortable. So which home improvements are worth the expense and offer the best return on investment?
Loft conversion
If you have an unconverted loft, this represents untapped potential for increasing your living space. This, in turn, equates to an increase in value.
You can typically add at least 15% to the value of your home by increasing the number of bedrooms or living space particularly in large cities like London where space is at a premium. If you can squeeze in an ensuite bathroom, even better.
Most conversions can be done under permitted development and don’t require planning permission, further reducing your outlay. Apart from the rise in property value, you are increasing your family’s living space, making for a more comfortable home for everyone.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is no longer considered a luxury and is commonplace in many homes. With increasing numbers of households embracing sustainable heating systems such as heat pumps, the use of underfloor heating makes more sense. The temperatures achieved with heat pumps are better suited to underfloor heating than standard radiators.
Additionally, underfloor heating creates a cleaner, more minimalist look particularly in small spaces like bathrooms where bulky radiators or towel rails can take up a lot of room.
And who can argue with the wonderful feeling of stepping out of the shower and onto a warm floor. Whether you use it in the living room, bathroom or kitchen, underfloor heating is a home improvement that you won’t regret.
Off-street parking
Transforming your front garden into off-street parking can add upwards of £10,000 to the value of your home. In addition, where parking is at a premium or you have to pay to park, creating a personal parking space is a sensible choice.
Knowing you will have somewhere to park when you come home from work or shopping can also reduce your stress levels particularly if you live on a busy street. When you have small children and babies, off-street parking also makes life a lot easier and safer.
While you may lose your front garden, an attractive frontage is still possible as long as it’s well planned.
New kitchen or bathroom
Of all the rooms in your home, the kitchen and bathroom are the two most likely to need improving over time. They also represent the greatest level of investment for any room in your house.
However you can add up to 15% to the value of your home with a well designed kitchen or bathroom. Remember, if you are thinking of selling in the near future, to keep to neutral colours and timeless designs. While you may love your bright red kitchen cabinets, this could scare off potential buyers who only see the cost of having to replace them.
Of course, what you consider worthwhile as a home improvement is a personal choice but consider where it adds to the value of your property too.