Central Heating - how much value will it add?

Galtizz

A friend of mine has had her house on the market since about July and it has not sold despite a couple of price decreases.

It is a 3 bedroom semi in a popular area but, it has no central heating. She is considering having it put in and, obviously it will make it easier to sell but will it add anything to the value of the house???

If it will, any ideas how much (the house is currently on for £117,000)

mzmoneypenny

This should give you an approximate idea:

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/hpi/value_added_2.htm

Robert_Sterling_3

Does the absence of central heating detract from the value of the house.

You could ask an Estate Agent.

MarkyMarkD

I think a straight answer is more useful than the above.

Gas central heating is one of the most beneficial improvements you can make to a house, not just in terms of adding value but in terms of sellability.

Consider your target market.

If you are selling a 3 bedroomed semi, you are probably like to sell to a young family.

Young families like the idea of a cosy house for them and their little children. Therefore they want gas central heating.

The problem with doing it when you are about to sell is that having it installed will ruin the decoration, so the cost of doing it is probably more than it would first appear.

I would still do it, if I couldn't sell, as I believe it would be worthwhile. You could just "make good" and not re-decorate, or re-decorate in a simple way (as beloved of "House Doctor" et al) and hope that the house will rush off the estate agent's shelves