Taunton and South Somerset Living Dec 2022 - Jan 2023

only a relatively small outlay of around
£1,500-£2,500 you could add around
£26,000 to your home’s value, according
to our research.
5. Make way for an en suite
Another way to add extra bathroom
space is to carve some space out of your
master bedroom to create an ensuite. The
job should take around 11 days but could
add £14,525 to the value of the average
London home.
6. Create a parking space
We love green front gardens but if parking
is at a premium in your neighbourhood,
then paving over part of your front garden
to create space for off road parking could
significantly boost your home’s value. A
parking space can add as much as 13%
to the value of your home according to
Direct Line.
You’ll need to check with your local
council to see if you need planning
permission to do this. Usually, if your
home isn’t on an A or B road you won’t
need permission, but you will have
to comply with your local authority’s
regulations on dropping the kerb.
7. Spruce up your back garden
Gardens are often overlooked when
property projects are concerned but
ploughing some money into your green
space can be rewarding. Our analysis
found that adding decking and lighting
to your back garden can really boost the
asking price when a property goes on the
market.
8. Decorate
If you are planning to put your property
on the market make sure you give it a
fresh lick of paint first. Don’t understand
the importance of kerb appeal by
updating the exterior of your home.
Getting professionals in could set you
back around £1,000, but it could add
£5,000 to your home’s value, according
to property expert Phil Spencer.
9. Convert your loft
Homeowners looking to add floor space
could significantly add value to their
home.
10. Get planning permission
If you are preparing to sell your home
and can’t afford a big project to boost the
value, you could consider just getting the
planning permission. Buyers are prepared
to pay quite a premium to avoid the
paperwork involved in an extension and
to know red tape won’t stand in the way
of their plans and allowing them to start
works the minute they pick up the keys.
Submitting a basic planning application
costs up to £400 but could add as much
as 10% to the value of your home,
according to insurance firm Hamilton
Fraser.
Get help submitting an application from a
local planning consultant.
And finally, before you start, ask the
experts
Improving your home to make it more
enjoyable is a benefit for you and your
family today. Opting for a project that
will also give you a big financial boost
when you sell only adds to the benefits.
However, if your primary aim is to add
value to your home then you should
consult an expert first to make sure you’ll
get a return on your investment.
Invite a few estate agents to value your
property and ask them what they think
will add the most value. The best local
agents will be able to tell you what
refurbishment projects other homes on
your road have benefited from and how
much value those projects added.
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