Does a wood burner add value?

PasturesNew

I'd not ever buy one or wish to own one. It'd put me off a house.

As I see it they're over-priced, you've to worry about who fitted it/is it safe; you need to constantly find ways to find/buy stuff to shove in it; you have to clean it out (a lot), which creates mess. And that's just the start of it.

Nothing YOU put into the house will add value because you are immediately alienating people who have different taste. Even if somebody saw it as a bonus they'd probably dislike the one you bought.

andrewf75

Davesnave wrote: »

No bitterness here, but I had a bet with myself that you'd be first up to deliver a suitable riposte.

Really? Didn't realise I had posted quite so much on the subject! I don't even have one yet! I do vaguely recall a similar debate before so I guess that was you as well! I thought it was someone else....apologies for being repetitive.

I totally get the advice that they don't suit everyone, but I have come across more people like yourself warning people off than I have those who actually regret getting one (if you see what I mean)

Maybe as you say, some people they don't want to admit they were wrong, but I think this is a minority and is only ever going to be those who weren't suitable owners anyway.

SailorSam

I think if you were in a nice country cottage and wanted to have a feature 'real fire' it would help you sell, not sure how much it would add in cash terms. But in a modern semi or apartment there's going to be as many people who wouldn't llike it, as those that do,

TheCyclingProgrammer

If you like wood burners then it adds value to YOU. As for when you sell it, probably not, depends how much the person wanting to buy your house likes wood burners.

WobblyDog

If the house has some land with trees on it that can be used as a source of firewood, and the potential buyer enjoys physical exercise, then I would say yes. Otherwise, probably no.

vansboy

WobblyDog wrote: »

If the house has some land with trees on it that can be used as a source of firewood, and the potential buyer enjoys physical exercise, then I would say yes. Otherwise, probably no.

When I had my van sales business, my site was formerly a disused timber yard and the people who owned the house and business, had a huge log burner in the lounge, which worked the heating and hot water. It was efficient and FREE to run, for them.

When we refurbished the place and made the lounge become the kitchen, we kept the log burner as a fire, only. but installed gas boiler for everything else. It's still there currently, with the people who live there now.

We also made what was a blocked off fireplace in the 'new' lounge, into an open fire, with just a grate.

When we had a bit of a house warming (no pun intended), friends from a town called London, thought the reality of the glow in this fire was remarkable, for a gas effect flame. I explained it was actually a substance called 'coal'.

They had NEVER seen coal before!!

VB

teddysmum

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

If you like wood burners then it adds value to YOU. As for when you sell it, probably not, depends how much the person wanting to buy your house likes wood burners.

It wouldn't add value or even appeal to someone who doesn't want the hassle of having to set and feed the fire.


Personally, I hate the smell the things make outside. Two of our neighbours have them and sometimes the air seems to burn your throat.

Katychaos

but it has added pleasure and comfort to the room where I have one installed. I think it probably has the same impact as a posh kitchen. Everyone thinks that it will sell a house when very often the new householder wants to rip it out and add their own version.
As for messy - not really. The Clearview one I have takes minutes to clear out (take out ashpan put ash in container outside - then when have sufficient take ash to include in composting at allotment). As for wood, my local authority sells the wood that they have cut down over the year as part of the management of of woodland across the area. They cut it into logs. I bought £40 worth in October 2014, that is what will be used over the winter in the stove. Have bought another £40 this year which is in a log store and will be ready to use next year. Since buying the stove the use of central heating has reduced significantly and the cost of the logs is way below that which would have been spent on gas. I wanted a log fire and I like having one. It isn't a hassle. I live in a town and don't see these stoves as a 'country cottage' thing. The installers gave me a certificate regarding the installation as it needed to meet with certain regulation. The majority of our visitors get very excited (sad I know!) when they visit and the fire is on. If you want one - I would say go for it. If you want to test one out, if you are booking a holiday cottage do so with one that has a stove and see what you think.

sleepymans

No... Wood Burning stoves are smelly, dirty, dust-ridden methods of heating.
Unless you are a hippy and expect all your prospective buyers to be similar, and unless you have access to loads of free wood (which you need to season for a year, chop, haul, store and then go out and hump in, in the worst of the winter storms....dont bother!
Clean, efficient gas central heating is pretty hard to beat

Ken68

An Estate Agent would say YES it does add to the sale, if it's lit and roaring away, plus the smell of coffee and home made bread.
Then show the buyer a shed full of wood.