Worth Replacing Kitchen Prior to Selling?

Jazzhands

Hi

We live in a large four bed detached in North West England, built in 2000. It still has the original Limed Oak/Laminate Worktop kitchen that the builder installed, although oven and hob have recently been replaced with new Neff ones.

Conundrum I have is, in my opinion, the kitchen and tiles look dated (there is some delamination of the worktop above the dishwasher and some of the unit doors are showing the signs of 15 years of wear and tear), and I am considering whether I should have the kitchen replaced completely.
What I need to consider though is that I am likely to want to move in approximately three years time.

Given that a new kitchen is likely to cost £15k-£20k, is it going to be dead money and I am unlikely to even cover my costs?

Research indicates that my house is worth approx. £350k so can I expect to add value to this?

Am I wasting my time considering spending big money on the kitchen and should I just redecorate and leave it to prospective buyers to decide?

Browntoa

I'd rather take a hit on the price if it gets mentioned that the kitchens tired

WannaBLoaded

I think people look at it the wrong way, it's not so much add value, more like make it more attractive to buyers.

If you need a new kitchen whatever you are asking for it, compared to other houses in the area, may cause you to get offers because 'x y and z need doing'.

Although 350k is more like a second time buyer property, maybe even a 5th time buyer property up north ahah.

What makes you think it will cost 15-20k, is it a mahoosive kitchen?

You can get relatively basic kitchen goods and make it look nice, cheap chipboard doors that are gloss etc. Is it a farm house type of place or modern?

You should get your investment in the kitchen back from the sale by making it more attractive and it should sell quicker because in my experience unless stuff looks good a hell of a lot of buyers get put off by having to buy a place and then have to spend more money tarting it up.

breaking_free

Do you have to replace the entire kitchen?

You might be able to get away with simply replacing the worktop and the cupboard doors. As an even less expensive alternative you could keep the cupboard doors but spruce them up with some paint and new handles.

Jazzhands

WannaBLoaded wrote: »

What makes you think it will cost 15-20k, is it a mahoosive kitchen?

You can get relatively basic kitchen goods and make it look nice, cheap chipboard doors that are gloss etc. Is it a farm house type of place or modern?
.

We live in a small 7 house cul de sac and all houses are modernish in style, certainly not farm house.
A couple of the neighbours have had theirs done and it has typically been around about that price.
First local kitchen supplier we visited had a look at the pictures we took and said "you're looking at around £30k".
We bid a hasty retreat from that one!

Mistral001

breaking_free wrote: »

Do you have to replace the entire kitchen?

You might be able to get away with simply replacing the worktop and the cupboard doors. As an even less expensive alternative you could keep the cupboard doors but spruce them up with some paint and new handles.

I agree with this. Be aware that if the kitchen just looks tarted up for selling it will not go down well with some buyers. Replacing or repair of anything that is worn or damaged plus redecoration could transform the kitchen quite a bit.

macman

Since the kitchen tends to be the first thing that gets replaced in a new home, you'd be mad to spend even £5K on a refurb. If they want to buy it, the faults you mention won't deter them. The worktop can be easily replaced, but leave it at that.

TheCyclingProgrammer

I wouldn't bother. I'd make sure it was clean and presentable and that's it.

Yes, a new kitchen might make the house more attractive to perhaps first or second time buyers who don't have the money to spend on a new kitchen and want something decent to move into but there will probably plenty of people who would rather specify a kitchen to their own tastes and requirements. You'll never see a return on the investment in a new kitchen IMO.

woodworm001

We moved in to our house in January with a 12 month old kitchen. Our next job is to rip it out and put what we want in, the only thing that's prevented us doing it so far is that we kind of feel bad junking a 2 year old kitchen but it may be useful in the garage / greenhouse.

Personally I would have rather have paid £10k less and have had a crappy old kitchen / bathroom than have someone else's bad taste.

27col

My son had the dated doors and various trims replaced in his kitchen by a local company for about £2k. Made a world of difference
Bl***y ridiculous spending £15k or more and putting up with the disruption, just before selling the house.

Jazzhands

Thanks guys,

Based on your feedback, I'm pretty certain I can make do and mend for the sake of a few years - I'm sure a new worktop and lick of paint will make all the difference.