Does New Kitchen increase house value?

Gloomendoom

boogiesherbs wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for the replies,

The current kitchen is a shambles that has no layout and carcasses are thin and unsalvagable.

If it is that bad, it might be worth spending the money just to enhance your quality of life.

mummyroysof3

I would go for simple as tbh people want a kitchen they can live with until they choose their own at a letter date imo

jbainbridge

Why not accept that you _might_ take a hit on the price you achieve ... will this be more than the proposed 8K?

In any case you are unlikely to get just above the SDLT threshold - though this depends on the area and demand.

phoebe1989seb

I agree that new kitchens are more likely to increase saleability than value of a property.

Our last house for example. When we bought in 2007 it was resplendent in full 1980s decor, kitchen, bathrooms etc - this was a Tudor property with later (Arts & Crafts) additions - and our plan was to restore it to its former glory. We ripped out a hideous cheap pine kitchen with laminate worktops, moulded flimsy plastic drawers and green sink, oven and hob. The walls were a deep salmon-orange emulsioned artex - yummy!

By the time we'd finished we had solid wood hand-painted units in very traditional but not overly fussy (more shaker) style with soft-close drawers, solid pewter handles, double V&B butler sink, granite worktops and Rangemaster cooker & hood.

Our total outlay was way less than expected as we got a local kitchen cabinet maker to build the units and we fitted them ourselves. It looked a million dollars (IMHO ) but probably only cost around £15k.

Two years later we sold the house - this was an amazing house that was unfortunately located in a less than perfect area - and we had visions of struggling to sell as our house was definitely NOT what buyers in that location were after/wanting to spend.

Our EA confirmed that without the kitchen (and other work carried out - two new bathrooms for starters) we would have difficulty finding a buyer. Instead he said the kitchen in particular had made the house more saleable........we accepted an offer we were happy with within two weeks and our buyers (certainly not the typical demographic for that area) said it was the kitchen that sold the house to them.

I should add that having spent in excess of £40k on restoring the house, we *lost* £60k on our overall spend when we sold

no1catman

I think the first answer is Yes, to it can increase the value and would agree with other comments that the sale will proceed faster.
However, be wary of spending too much, the expectations of people who are looking at a Terrace house, will be different to those going for a Semi, and again for a Detached!

I think it was 2005 when we had the Kitchen done, in a 19th Century house. Looked around various showrooms, for ideas etc.
But was told by an EA that houses have a price ceiling, and there's no point in spending mega money on say a Magnet Kitchen, when you won't get that back!!

So it was a toss up between Wickes & Homebase - with the latter wining. Everything worked out with the units. Asked a few people about fitting - one wanted two grand, another £1400, but went with £900!! No problem, good job, great kitchen (+ laminate floor).
When, it came to selling 18 mths. later EA said the Kitchen makes it. We would have got much less and taken longer.

Now I don't know too much about how much kitchens are these days, but IMHO £8,000 seems high for your house value!

SternMusik

no1catman wrote: »

Now I don't know too much about how much kitchens are these days, but IMHO £8,000 seems high for your house value!

It obviously depends on the number of units but 8k is not out of order for a good quality kitchen. I am currently looking into kitchens as mine has been ruined by water ingress. The big sheds have quoted around the 6k to 9k mark (including fitting) which I find outrageous for the quality on offer. I expect to pay around 8k (fully fitted) for a good quality rigid built kitchen from a local supplier with 25 years warranty.

Kitchens are an expensive business, so if the OP can improve theirs it will help saleability. As a buyer I would not pay extra money for a kitchen that is not to my taste (e.g. all black), is of bad quality (cabinets/doors/hinges/runners) or badly designed (only cupboards and no drawers, bad use of space, ...). In fact I would offer less to make up not only for the price of a new kitchen but also for the hassle of having the builders in.

Given that the OP's house is at stamp duty threshold I agree with the suggestion of a kitchen makeover instead of a re-fit, unless they are planning on staying for long enough to make a new kitchen worthwile for them.