home improvements and valued added

Jenniefour

I would think in this property market there is very little that will add value except for - possibly - well thought out extensions and loft conversions as they add habitable space to a property. However, if you're in an area where prices are falling or will fall in future (most likely scenario IMO) I would have thought anything else is most likely to be a sure fire loser financially. The cost between buying a wreck and a ready to live in is much smaller than it costs non professionals to get the work done. Builders have to make a profit. Ordinary folks who fancy a bit of doing up are far better off sticking to doing what they will enjoy and can afford in their own home - bearing in mind the costs may not be recouped if they sell. The days of amateur property developing are well and truly over - and what kept that going to some extent was the gravity defying increase in house prices anyway.

Doozergirl

There's only one list that I work to:

Something in a bad state detracts from the ceiling price of a property. Every house has a ceiling price, so you work out what it is locally. If it has bad windows, it's detracts from ceiling price, old kitchen ditto, bathroom ditto. Anything that simply needs replacing is a detraction from the property's best price.

In order to add value the only way to do it is to extend the property. Up, down, sideways. Know the ceiling price for a bigger house and work to that instead of the ceiling price for the house you bought. Much easier to do with a detached house than one that is attached, you will get a bigger % return than the same work on an attached house.

It's pretty (read very) hard to add value to a property. It's always about the price that you buy and the cost of the work you want to do versus the end price. If you know you can install a great kitchen cheaper than other people, you add value only by doing it cheaper than other people's estimations - but not cheaply!

There you go, just gave away all my secrets

Jenniefour

Doozergirl wrote: »

There's only one list that I work to:

Something in a bad state detracts from the ceiling price of a property. Every house has a ceiling price, so you work out what it is locally. If it has bad windows, it's detracts from ceiling price, old kitchen ditto, bathroom ditto. Anything that simply needs replacing is a detraction from the property's best price.

In order to add value the only way to do it is to extend the property. Up, down, sideways. Know the ceiling price for a bigger house and work to that instead of the ceiling price for the house you bought. Much easier to do with a detached house than one that is attached, you will get a bigger % return than the same work on an attached house.

It's pretty (read very) hard to add value to a property. It's always about the price that you buy and the cost of the work you want to do versus the end price. If you know you can install a great kitchen cheaper than other people, you add value only by doing it cheaper than other people's estimations - but not cheaply!

There you go, just gave away all my secrets

Very good - my thoughts exactly.

Running_Horse

Just do what is of value to you in your home. Too many spend years doing nothing for themselves, before decorating for the people they sell to, who most likely have different tastes anyway. If you want a spare toilet or shower room in that big cupboard, do it for you, without whipping out the calculator. There is more to life than being an amateur Sarah Beeny.

Catatonia

amcluesent wrote: »

The best bet to improve your home and add value is to add a conservatory, do a loft conversion, create off-road parking or add central heating.

All four projects should add about five per cent to the value of your home, equal to £9,000 to a typical £180,000 semi-detached home.

I would have thought a proper loft conversion would cost a lot more than the £9k it would apparently add!

poppysarah

Catatonia wrote: »

I would have thought a proper loft conversion would cost a lot more than the £9k it would apparently add!

Would depend on what price you'd expect before work - estate agents might be able to offer more specific advice.

mark5

I was always under the impression a conservatory would add less value than its original cost?

savanajhones

missile wrote: »

IMHO, new kitchen and bathroom are two things which add most value. Deep clean and redecorating may not add value but will improve saleability.

I am completely agree with what you have written and kitchen area, bathroom and hall are the main for renovating and this increases the cost value.

theGrinch

A friend gave me a handout from Phil Spencer, which is a general one (which is all I need as a start). Thanks for the comments.

fincsher

theGrinch wrote: »

yeah I had a google and this was one. there are many different lists with half a dozen or so items, just wondered for a general long list.

google can give informations but it shows not the exactly information you want. So you should surf more to the other topics that shown.. You should be more patient in searching.