How much money would you spend on home improvements?

breadlinebetty

lessonlearned wrote: »

Hello Princess Lou

I am a retired new build sales negotiator with many years experience dressing showhomes and a degree in design.

Write out your list and I would be happy to advise.

Give reasons example replace bathroom suite - currently avocado - that sort of thing.

I understand the reason for the gas fire - an 80's fire will not only be hopelessly old fashioned, it will be inefficient, expensive to run and may even be unsafe. Replace. Cost - B&Q from £100, Gas Safe Fitter - assuming flue and pipework is ok - just a couple of hours work approx £100. I recently paid £170 for a fire and fitting,

Replacing cheap laminate floors for solid oak - don't bother, because you will also probably need to remove and replace skirting boards and repair damaged plaster work. It will cost an arm and a leg. Buy some nice large rugs - around £100 for an 8ft by 5ft rug which is usually about right for the average sitting room.

What's the garden like - it's worth sorting out the garden early in the proceedings that way you can save money by buying small trees, shrubs, plants etc. 3 years would allow them to grow and mature to give you a very pretty established garden.

The only way to be sure of adding real value in the current market is to add square footage to your property. Another way is to add off street parking if you don't already have that.

Kitchens cost money to replace - it's possible to revamp for a fraction of the cost. Post a picture of yours and we can come up with some ideas.

You can easily revamp a tired house for £2k, most of the money can be spent on things you can take with you when you move.

You may or not increase it's actual value in the current market, having said that 3 years is quite a long time and prices may well start to rise by then. A few simple improvements can make it easier to sell and of course you get to live somewhere pleasant and comfortable in the meantime.

Post up your ideas, I will be happy to give you some feedback and costings.

Great post!!!:T

Sorry to hijack it, Lessonlearned, but you seem so knowledgeable I'd love it if you could answer a question for me, too? I've already posted the thread on here 'Real log fires or gas flame fire' but the answers so far haven't been that helpful :cool:

Is it better to keep a 'nice' fitted gas-flame coal fire or rip it out and put it back to a real fire with real logs and coal? I know real fires are so much lovelier, and I'm aware of the pros and cons, I'm just asking on behalf of a friend who wants to know what would usually appeal more to future buyers?:)

Thanks!

lessonlearned

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

Just wanted to agree with OP we have bought several houses which we have owned for 2 1/2 years on average and then moved. We have spent a good amount on improvements and increased the value substancially each time. Our present home we've been in almost 3 years and I am looking to move. We're just getting a few jobs finished before it goes on the market. I estimate it will have gone up in value by 50% but half of that is the amount we spent on doing it up. I also envisage it will sell quickly as the longest it has ever taken us to agree a sale on one of our homes was 10 days from going on the market and the shortest 1 day. It isn't just about the price but about the ease of finding a buyer.

For £2,000 if you can do it all do it if not make the fire a priority but not if it means sticking something equally tacky in (fake coal electric fire anyone?)

I think this is how most people climb the property ladder, starting with something small and a bit tatty and working your way towards something bigger and better. Very few people are lucky enough to be able to buy their "Forever Home" first time round.

I am a classic case. Started with a two bed cottage which was a bit of a wreck. I lived in one bedroom for three months whilst the downstairs was gutted, new damp course, new plaster etc. I couldn't afford to stay renting and pay the mortgage at the same time so just lived in one room. Happy days. Second house was a three bed semi, third house a four bed detached family home.

Betty - If it's alright with you I'll pop over to your Real Fire Thread to answer you so we don't hijack Princess Lou's thread.

GDB2222

I'm still gob-smacked that the OP can get all that work done for £2k.

In answer to her question, it doesn't seem an unreasonable amount to spend - PROVIDED YOU HAVE THE MONEY. If you are talking about, in effect, borrowing an extra £2k then in my view it's £2k too much to spend on inessentials.