Is it worth upgrading heating to sell house?

sat_mad

Hi,

I'm looking to put my house on the market soon, and was wondering whether I would be worth upgrading the heating before doing so?

The current system is old, and although the radiators seem fine (many replaced), it is powered by an old gas boiler with pilot light.

Would the investment in money, time and mess be recouped? Or should I stop worrying, and allow the next owner install their own preferred boiler/system?

TIA

silvercar

Is yours a FTB property? If so then it could be worth doing as FTBs struggle to get a deposit together and so are unlikely to have spare cash to install new boiler. If it is a larger property, generally people are going for a lower percentage mortgage so could leave themselves a bit of cash for new boiler. Also the valuation may come in abit lower if the valuer thinks that the boiler dedracts from the value - again an issue on a lower priced home.

olias

You would only be taliking about maybe £2000 for a new boiler. I do not think you would recoup the cost by an increase in value of your home. What it would do, is make the house more attractive and maybe mean you find a buyer more quickly and have less chance of them asking for a reduction in their offer price after a survey.

Olias

sat_mad

Thanks for your replies - very helpful and appreciated.

The property is 'fringey' as far as FTBs go as it is a semi-bungalow, and would perhaps be more attractive to an more elderly buyer.

However, no matter the buyer, I guess it would probably be a good investment from the point of saleability.

I will definitely have a look into cost as it does seem the way to go.

Thanks again.

Sammy85_2

If you decide not to have a new boiler, at least get a gas safety check done, that way you can prove it is safe despite its age.

Bongedone

sat_mad wrote: »

Thanks for your replies - very helpful and appreciated.

The property is 'fringey' as far as FTBs go as it is a semi-bungalow, and would perhaps be more attractive to an more elderly buyer.

However, no matter the buyer, I guess it would probably be a good investment from the point of saleability.

I will definitely have a look into cost as it does seem the way to go.

Thanks again.

An elderly person may well get a grant to replace the boiler.

Fire_Fox

Why don't you pay for a full service (and power flush if needed) so that your buyer knows the boiler is safe and the central heating working at maximum efficiency?

sat_mad

Thanks for the gas safety check tip. That would certainly be a cheaper alternative.

I believe the boiler would be eligible for replacement under the boiler scrappage scheme, which would bring the price down.

I guess I better weigh the two options up! :-\

Sammy85_2

yes, dont forget many people can get Warm Front grants for new boilers, so it may not be essential to them to have a new boiler already.

Also, if you have any old radiators, when they flush the system ready for the new boiler it may blow them and cost you more after replacing those too. (happened to us!)

Soon_to_be_OAP

sat_mad wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking to put my house on the market soon, and was wondering whether I would be worth upgrading the heating before doing so?

The current system is old, and although the radiators seem fine (many replaced), it is powered by an old gas boiler with pilot light.

Would the investment in money, time and mess be recouped? Or should I stop worrying, and allow the next owner install their own preferred boiler/system?

TIA

Take advantage of the Govt's £400 boiler replacement scheme. If the market is slow where your house is, it could help sell it.

Bongedone

sat_mad wrote: »

Thanks for the gas safety check tip. That would certainly be a cheaper alternative.

I believe the boiler would be eligible for replacement under the boiler scrappage scheme, which would bring the price down.

I guess I better weigh the two options up! :-\

You can check if it qualifies here:

http://www.governmentboiler-scrappagescheme.info/EligibilityCheck.php