How to add value to your home: 12 home improvements that will add the most value

Whether you’re a first-time buyer purchasing a doer-upper or you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, adding value to your home will help you make money back on your investment.

But that’s not all. If you have a mortgage, adding value to your property could even help to increase your LTV (loan to value ratio) – which could mean more favourable interest rates when you go to remortgage.*

Read on to find out which home improvements will typically add the most value to your home – both inside and out.

Top 12 ways to add value to your home – inside and out

Here are some home improvements that will typically add the most value to your home – as well as how much you can expect to spend on each one.

Please note that all costs listed are ballpark averages intended as a guide. It’s always best to get quotes from local tradespeople to get accurate costs for your project before going ahead.

1. Restore period features

Are you lucky enough to have period features that are over 100 years old in your home? Restoring them could add 30% to your property’s value.

Remember, character is one thing that money simply can’t buy. So, if you’re lucky enough to live in a property that has plenty of it, restoring those period features will certainly make your home stand out to potential buyers in all the right ways.

Be sure to keep your restoration within the style, era and proportion of your home, and research its history to guarantee an authentic finish and lasting result.

Areas worth restoring include:

• Fireplaces
• Cornices
• Original floorboards
• Stone flooring
• Staircases
• Doors
• Wooden beams

You could even put period features back in where they’ve previously been removed.

How much does period feature restoration cost?

As a rough guide, you’re looking at around £42 per m² to get a wood floor sanded and refinished.

Meanwhile, if you’re hoping to open up a fireplace, you’ll need to budget around £300 per day for a tradesperson to knock out the fireplace, around £325 for a new flue liner and £275 for a replacement hearth. You’ll also need to factor in other costs, such as rubble removal, a cherry picker if necessary, and making good – such as plastering and painting.

2. Add an extension

A new extension or conversion could add up to 20% to the value of your property.

It’s no surprise when you think about it – you’ll be adding square footage to your home, which means more usable space for potential buyers to enjoy.

However, not all extensions are created equal.

Annexes typically add the most value to your home, closely followed by loft conversions. Meanwhile, a double-storey extension generally adds more value than a single-storey extension.

Here are some common extension and conversion projects you might be considering, along with how much value they could add to your home:

• Annexe: 20-30%
• Loft conversion: up to 20%
• Garage conversion with a bedroom and en-suite bathroom: up to 20%
• Double-storey extension: up to 12%
• Single-storey extension: 5-8%
• Conservatory: up to 7%

How much does an extension cost?

The average cost of a 20m² extension is £48,000.

However, your overall cost will depend on several factors, including the:

• Type of extension
• Size of extension
• Spec
• Use of the extension (e.g. it’ll cost more to create a bathroom than a bedroom)

As an example, the cost of building an extension can range from £8.5k - £20k for a garage conversion to £100k - £160k for a basement extension – with some projects even rising beyond that.

Head over to our house extension cost guide for more ballpark figures for how much your project might cost.

3. Install solar panels

It’s said that solar panels could add between 4% and 14% to the value of a property – depending on what part of the UK you live in.

Why?

Well, eco-friendly houses are becoming more and more popular.

Not only are householders becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment, but the cost-of-living crisis has also highlighted the fact that renewable energies—like solar and wind power—can help reduce our reliance on the National Grid and lower our energy bills.

With that in mind, incorporating green home ideas in your property could make your home more appealing to a wider range of buyers.

Homeowners who go a step further and install a battery storage system along with their solar panels could see their property value increase by around £2,722 overall.

A solar battery system gives homeowners a means to store and use the excess energy generated by their solar panels. So, it’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint further and save even more money on your energy bills – making it an attractive feature to potential buyers.

How much do solar panels cost?

The average cost to install solar panels is between £6,000 – £9,000 for a PV system

Alternatively, if you opt for a complete solar installation to include a solar battery system, you’re looking at closer to £12,000. This covers the cost to install a 4kWh battery, 4kW inverter and 4kW solar PV system from scratch.

Given the high upfront costs, solar panel installation is generally better suited to homeowners not selling their homes immediately. This is because if you stay put for a while, you should begin to make your money back by reduced energy bills.

You may be able to get some help from the government with grants and funding.

4. Update your kitchen

Most property experts agree that an updated kitchen can easily add value to your home – potentially up to 10%!

After all, the kitchen is often described as the heart of the home, with the average Brit spending close to 7 hours a week in this room of the house (according to The Mirror).

In some cases, homeowners can add value to their kitchen without carrying out a whole replacement – for instance, you may be able to simply update your kitchen cabinets or replace the work surface to freshen up the space.

However, often, you’ll be able to add the most value to an outdated or small kitchen by changing the layout.

Many buyers are searching for a kitchen where you can sit down and eat, which may even mean extending the space.

Ultimately, if you’re remodeling your kitchen to live in for the foreseeable future and potentially sell in the future, then it may be worth spending a bit more to get the results you want.

Check out our guide on adding value to your home with a new kitchen for more tips.

How much does a new kitchen cost?

The average cost to fit an average-sized family kitchen is £6,000 – not including the cost of the kitchen itself.

However, your overall cost will depend on lots of different factors, including:

• The scope of the project
• Your kitchen’s size
• What brands you use
• Which appliances you choose
• The quality of the fixtures and fittings

If you choose to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul, costs could range from under £7,000 for a very small budget kitchen to £10,000 for a large, bespoke kitchen.

These costs include the labour involved in removing your existing kitchen and installing your new one, as well as new flooring, plumbing, decorating and a few key appliances such as a built-in cooker, hob and hood.

Head over to our new kitchen cost guide for more ballpark prices.

5. Garden landscaping

Landscaping your garden could increase your property price by up to 10% – especially in cities like London.

Although the UK isn’t known for its good weather, gardens are still a big deal.

Landscaping your garden will make it more usable and attractive, demonstrating to potential buyers how they could use your outdoor areas.

Decking is a particular favourite for gardens. It keeps feet and paws off the muddy grass and creates a separate area for entertaining.

How much does garden landscaping cost?

The average cost of a non-elevated softwood deck with no railing or stairs is £2,300 (24m²) or £7,500 (80m²).

Meanwhile, you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,700 for a new patio – depending on the material you choose, the size of the space and how much preparation work is required.

Check out our garden landscaping cost guide for more information.

6. Install double glazing

Does your home only have single glazing? Replacing it with double glazing could increase the value of your home by up to 10%!

Double or triple glazing is fast becoming a non-negotiable for homebuyers.

Not only does it save on bills and help keep your home warm, but it also reduces noise, which is an attractive feature in densely populated areas.

Now you know that it can add value to your home, it really is a no-brainer! But how much does it cost?

How much does double glazing cost?

Double glazing can cost anywhere from £300 – £5,000+ per window.

It all depends on the type of windows and their size—for instance, casement windows generally cost much less than bay windows.

As a rough guide, the average cost of double glazing for a 3-bed house is around £5,000 – £7,000.

Take a look at our double glazing cost guide for more details.

7. Increase your home’s kerb appeal

By properly maintaining the exterior of your property – including elements like your cladding, fencing and chimney repointing – you could add up to 10% to the value of your home.

Remember, when it comes to selling your house, first impressions are everything.

So, repairing any broken features and staying on top of maintenance is hugely important if you want to increase your home’s kerb appeal and therefore its saleability.

How much does maintaining the exterior of your property cost?

Here are some elements you should stay on top of if you want to unlock the most value, along with how much they typically cost.

• Cladding installation: around £80 per m² for uPvc cladding
• Exterior wall repainting: around £3,000 - £6,000 per project
• Chimney repointing: around £750 (plus any scaffolding required)
• Drain maintenance or repair: around £275 per metre for a collapsed drain pipe repair
• Gutter maintenance: around £100 - £150 to clean gutters on a medium semi-detached house (15m of guttering)
• Gutter replacement: around £1,000 per job
• Fence repairs: around £346.50 per wooden fence
• Repair window seals: around £125 - £180 per job
• Replace front door: around £1,100 - £1,400 for a composite door

8. Add off-street parking

Creating a new driveway where there wasn’t previously off-street parking can add 5-10% to your home’s value.

After all, who doesn’t want to be able to park up in front of their own house instead of scouring a busy street for parking spots?!

Exactly how much value your new driveway could add will depend on your location and the availability of parking nearby.

But don’t forget about maintaining your new driveway, either. If you can’t keep it looking great, it could start to lower the value of your property.

For a value-adding finish, always use a trusted expert to install your driveway. This will mean that your home’s driveway is built to last.

How much does a new driveway cost?

We suggest budgeting around £40-£100 per m² for a new driveway.

Just bear in mind that this price will heavily depend on the size of your drive and the material that you wish to use.

Once you’ve decided the scope of your project, it’s best to get at least three quotes from driveway specialists near you – that way, you can make sure you’re paying a competitive price for the work.

Post your job and let us do the legwork in matching you with three driveway experts.

9. Add another bathroom

Installing a new bathroom can increase the value of your home by 5%.

This is the case whether you choose to install an ensuite, a downstairs loo, or a wet room.

New buyers may be put off a home due to a lack of bathrooms or toilets. Adding a new bathroom can greatly raise the selling price of your home and make selling much easier.

If you want to unlock the maximum value possible, you could even consider extending your bedroom to install an ensuite. An extension with an ensuite could add a whopping 30% to the value of your property!

Unsurprisingly, with everyone’s busy lives, families aren’t keen to share one family bathroom. So, as a general rule, two bathrooms are definitely better than one!

How much does a new bathroom cost?

A downstairs toilet could cost £950 for materials and £1,500 for labour.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a wet room is £8,000. And you’re looking at £5,500 – £14,000+ for the average ensuite.

However, if your budget is a little tight, then even a bathroom remodel can impact your property’s value. If you’d like more information about remodelling your bathroom, take a look at our bathroom remodel ideas.

10. Commit to repairs

Did you know that you could add between 3% and 5% to your home’s value through simple repairs?

There are always repairs we put off or never get around to, such as that sticky kitchen drawer, creaky stair, wobbly handrail, broken skirting board, shelf or light fixture. Need we go on?

Exactly how much value repairing these niggles could add will depend on the extent of the repairs required.

However, making an effort to address them will increase your property’s selling potential and make your home nicer to live in.

How much do repairs cost?

The cost of repairing niggles around your home will depend on the extent of the repairs needed.

However, you can expect to pay roughly £30 per hour for a handyperson.

Head over to our handyperson price guide for the full lowdown, or just type your postcode into the search box below to find a trusted handyperson near you.

11. Renovate and redecorate

Renovating and decorating your home could add between 3% and 5% to your home’s value, depending on your buyer’s preferences.

As available square footage decreases, open-plan rooms are becoming more popular. So are trends such as Japandi, Scandi, cottage-core, and minimalist.

With that in mind, it’s worth thinking about redecorating your house with ‘bright’ and ‘light’ in mind.

Even if it isn’t to a potential house buyer’s taste, the rooms will look bigger and give buyers a chance to visualise any changes they want to make.

There are also several key features that interest house hunters, such as installing a fireplace, adding a bay window or installing a new staircase.

Investing in these updates could make your home more pleasant to live in, as well as potentially adding value.

How much does renovating and decorating cost?

Here are a few improvements it’s worth considering, as well as the typical costs you’re looking at.

• Install a fireplace: around £3,000 per wood-burning fireplace
• Add a bay window: around £1,250 per 3-sectioned bay window
• Install a new staircase: around £2,750 per staircase
• Repaint your rooms with neutral decor: around £400 per medium-sized room
• Refresh your flooring: around £34 per m² for popular Karndean flooring

12. Update your internal doors

Updating your internal doors is a simple home improvement project that could add between 3% and 5% to your home’s value – depending on the type of door and final aesthetic.

It’s a particularly good idea if you’ve renovated other parts of your home and you’re finding that the doors just don’t match.

Upgrading your internal doors so that they’re in line with any renovation and modern aesthetic will dramatically change the look and feel of your home.

This is why they’re a key consideration when making improvements and increasing your home’s appeal.

How much does it cost to update internal doors?

Internal doors usually cost between £25 - £150+.

However, this doesn’t include the cost of having your old doors removed and your new doors fitted. With that in mind, we’d also recommend budgeting between [table-cell id=46 cell=B7/] per door in labour costs.

Check out our internal door cost guide for more information.

What to know when planning value-adding home improvements

Before you get out your sledgehammer, it’s important to take your time to plan your home improvements properly. Otherwise, you risk being disappointed when they don’t add as much value to your home as you hoped.

Here are our top tips.

Do your research

Every property is different. So, what will add the most value to one won’t necessarily add much (if any) value to another. If in doubt, reach out to your local estate agents to ask for their opinion on any value-adding home improvement projects you have planned.

Consider your return on investment

Instead of just looking at how much value you could add to your home, it’s important to assess your overall return on investment (ROI). In other words, you’ll want to make sure that the cost of carrying out your home improvement project doesn’t cancel out the value you’re adding – it’s all about profit.

Be realistic

Not all home improvements will give you the returns you’re hoping for. The property market is competitive, with several factors that determine whether your house sells or not. So, remember that there are no guarantees and stay open-minded to avoid disappointment further down the line.

Get the necessary permissions

Larger home improvements – like extensions – will often require planning permission. So, always check with your local authority before undertaking any major work. If you don’t have the permissions you need, you could be ordered to reverse any work done, which could leave you out of pocket!

Hire trusted and experienced professionals

It’s always best to hire an expert who knows what they’re doing. They will not only carry out the work to a high standard but also confirm that the work meets building regulations, giving any potential buyer peace of mind.

Enter your postcode below to get started finding the right professional for your project – or check out our hiring guides if you’d like to know more about how to choose the best tradesperson for the job.

Key takeaways

• Always consider your return on investment when you’re deciding what home improvements to embark on next
• It’s worth talking to an estate agent to check whether specific home improvements are likely to add value to your property
• Be sure to do your research and check whether you need planning permission
• Hire a professional for a high-quality finish that will stand the test of time

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