Bought house and did work - effect on value?

FeathersForever

Hi! I recently bought my first home. I paid £52,500 (two bed mid-terrace), which was a decent way under the average value for the area, but I was aware the house needed work. It has (of course) ended up needing more than first expected . . .

The main point of doing the work has been to make the place safe, comfortable and generally nice to live in - I've no intention of moving for VERY long time (much too stressful!). However, purely out of curiosity, I want to know if the work I've done will have increased the value? I know some work does and some doesn't. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Here's what I've done:

(i) Repaired damaged valley and tiles on roof (and cleaned gutters - they were more or less a second garden)

(ii) Gas safety check and repaired boiler (insulation plates)

(iii) Electric safety check and replaced fuse box (old one was one of those ancient rewireable ones!)

(iv) Increased loft insulation and made hatch a better fit

(v) Treated small damp problem on front wall

(vi) replastered almost whole house (bathroom already fine, kitchen not being touched as not enough money!)

(vii) painted pretty much whole house, including woodwork (excl. bathroom and kitchen again) Have gone with nice neutral colours.

(viii) Removed fairly tatty carpet in both bedrooms and put down laminate flooring

(ix) A few odd unessential jobs - fresh curtain rails replacing old falling/bent ones, new light fittings . . .

Things still to do:
- remove a tree that's a bit close to the house
- new gas fire in living room: old one functions fine but definitely looks old
- and one day, do the kitchen

Much of the work I've done really did need doing (damp, roof etc.) but it's kinda invisible, so I'm not sure how much it will have improved value? What do people think?

phill99

Most of what you have done is routine maintenance and wont affect value. The fact you have decorated and put in nice curtains etc will make ut easier to sell.

Price will increase with things like new bathroom, kitchen, extra bedrooms, extra bathroom etc.

FeathersForever

Thank you :-)

Doozergirl

How big is this tree? You need to be very careful about removing it. If you don't have a problem now, you could conceivably create one as a result of removing it

adandem

I think the jobs you've done will add some value as some buyers will pay for a ready to move into house with no extra costs to factor in.

wallbash

which was a decent way under the average value for the area,

Some essentials and a bit of cosmetic

so I'm not sure how much it will have improved value?

Maybe back to the average of the area.

FeathersForever

Thanks for the replies guys.

@Doozergirl: the tree is medium I guess? The survey recommended removing it as its roots could threaten the pipes under the house. I'll wait until spring, and get a proper tree surgeon . . . not about to go wandering around with an axe

smifffy1989

Kitchens and bathrooms add value as do additional bedrooms.

Have a look on rightmove and see what the price of a house in good order is in your area.

*j*

It might be an idea to ask a local estate agent to give you an indication of the current value.