Whether you are looking to sell your home or are just looking to improve and renovate your house then there are plenty of things that you can do to add value to your home. If you are looking to add a kitchen, create an extension or give your home a facelift, all of these can add money to your house. Some jobs are quick and easy whilst others take a lot of time and effort, so you need to make sure that you choose the right priorities for you and your home.
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Sort out the guttering
This may seem like something that you can forget about. The guttering barely impacts the look of your home, but it can impact its value of it. Your gutters being blocked can cause you lots of problems such as leaks and mold building up. Therefore, it is important that you look after them and try to make sure that they do not cause you any problems.
One way you can do this is to purchase a gutter guard. There are lots of types of gutter guards. Foam gutter guards allow water to pass through but stop any debris from falling into your gutter. Brush guards sit inside the gutter and stop leaves and debris from flowing along your gutters. You need to find out what will work for you as it will depend on the gutter guard you need. Think about how much water you get and how much debris your gutters face.
Dealing with structural issues
You need to make sure that your home is structurally sound and safe. You need to do this before you begin any cosmetic work on your home. Keep an eye out for structural defects such as leaking roofs, rising dampness, cracks in the wall, infestations, or unstable chimney stacks. You should think about calling in a surveyor to have a look at your home and assess how much work needs to be done and where you can make the most improvement.
New heating systems
An easy way to add value to your home is to refurbish your heating system. Many older houses never had central heating and often operated on old fashion systems. If this is the case, then you need to get a new heating system in place. This will always add value to your home and shouldn’t be too much of a big job. It will also improve the energy efficiency of your home.
As long as your boiler is still in reasonable working order then the heating changes shouldn’t take too long or be too much work. Adding new radiators and a heated towel rail can not only increase the value of your home but improve the heat within your home.
Plumbing and wiring
Redoing your plumbing and wiring is a massive job and whilst it can cause disruption is something you should get done if you have an older home. Again, this should be done before you begin upgrading your cosmetic changes. When you are updating your electrics, you should look to install a modern consumer unit with a residual circuit device that will improve your usage and make your electricity safer. You can also think about adding extra sockets that have attractive face plates.
In terms of plumbing, you will want to make sure that your pipework is modern and that you have a decent flow of hot and cold water. If you hear rattling and knocking sounds, then it is likely that you need to change your pipework. You can think about a pressurized plumping system that stops the need for you to have a header tank that can allow for good pressure for your hot and cold water.
Converting your loft
If you have a loft, then you may have an entire room of untapped potential. It can stop you from spending loads of money on a building extension. You can either convert it into extra accommodation or you can make it office space. In general, a well done loft conversion can add up to $30,000 to your home. You should think about getting natural light into your loft. One of the extra benefits is that a loft conversion tends not to require planning permission whereas an extension does.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are becoming a much more attractive option to have in your home. With the cost of electricity and fuel on the rise and the impending danger of global warming, being able to generate your own electricity is super important. Even in an area with a lot of rain, a significant amount of energy can still be garnered from the sun to power your home. You need to make sure that you face your panels toward the sun.
When you are getting these installed, you need to make sure that your roof is structurally sound and that they can take the weight of the panels and can deal with any extreme winds trying to rip them from your roof. Also, you can think about whether you want electricity from your solar panels or heat from them.
Windows
Your windows are deceptively important when it comes to adding value to your home. Double glazing is now almost essential to most home buyers and owners. If you are renovating your property, then you should be careful about keeping the style of your home or you could decrease the value of your home. You should ensure that your new windows are balanced and keep the proportions right. Usually, 1:1.6 is the right ratio. You can also think about how the frames play into the rest of your aesthetic.
Increasing the value of your home
There are lots of different things you can do to increase the value of your home. Unless you are looking to sell your property quickly, you can take your time to make these improvements. Just make sure that you only take on what you can achieve. Homes at the moment are only rising in price, so even the most minor changes improve the value of your home.