Is it worth installing a new kitchen?

gerispringer

We have planned a new kitchen for our house in London. This would cost about £18-20k. This has been planned for a while and I have the money saved. We were Also planning to redecorate which we can do ourselves. However, our plans have changed somewhat and we are now expecting to relocate in approximately 18 months - 2 years time. What I want to know is should we still do our kitchen update? It badly needs doing or just do The basic decoration? Will it make a difference to,our selling price?

olly300

I have been told if you are in a city concentrate on the interior and if you are in the country concentrate on the garden by EAs.

I'm also in London and brought my own property for 15k less because the vendors hadn't put in a proper kitchen.

So if you don't mind losing some cash don't do the kitchen. If you do then put in a cheaper one i.e. one from IKEA and don't change the configuration. And do the redecoration yourself.

Fire_Fox

Why would you need to spend that much on a kitchen? There are some absolutely lovely designer-ish kitchens in places like Wickes and IKEA now, as well as the bog standard ones they have always had.

Are the units themselves falling to bits? If not replace the doors, drawers and worktops. There is no guarantee the buyer will like your taste, if they don't they won't be wanting to pay £20K on top of the current value for YOUR dream kitchen.

olly300

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'm house hunting... been put off viewing a lot because of the hideous kitchens people have installed. And £18-20k is a FORTUNE.... save it for when you feel settled, it took you a long time to save it.

This week I've seen completely black kitchens.... and bright red glossy ones.... and bright lime green glossy ones.... and some strange layouts that were unnecessary ....

Quite a few of my London based friends have refused to buy homes where the kitchen had not been done and the place hadn't been decorated.

There as a minority of us brought places where the kitchen was so old or such a mess the property was reduced due to it.

The difference is the first lot work such long hours they have no time to sort out any tradesmen or do DIY. They also like those fashionable kitchen colours.

robatwork

A kitchen typically adds the most value to a house when compared to any other improvement, so yes, do it.

However save £15k of your budget for your next house and put in a 5k kitchen

dimbo61

Plans change and you may stay in the property longer than you think.
Get a new kitchen that you want and like
Consider the price of the property ie DO not put a £50K kitchen in a £100K property and do not put a £5K kitchen in a £600K property
You have the money saved so you are not borrowing more

princeofpounds

Anyone who tells you that you will add significant value by doing up the kitchen is having you on, as long as the existing kitchen is functional.

At best, you will hold the value you spend on it. More likely, you will lose some.

Personally I think you would be crazy to spend that amount of money on a place you are going to sell in such a short timeframe.

Much better, as suggested above, would be to do some basic things like replacing cupboard doors and the worktop with inexpensive decent substitutes. If you have to do anything.

Your objective should be to make it livable, so you don't feel frustrated for the remainder of your time, ease a sale but conserve as much money as possible. You know how expensive moving into a new place can be.

What exactly is wrong with the kitchen? Are the problems more than cosmetic?