More and more homeowners are looking to stay put rather than move to a bigger, expensive property. Instead, what they look for is to improve their existing home and, in the process, add some value to it.
Our homes are perhaps the biggest financial investment most of us make in life. While we work hard to repay mortgages and the odd home improvement loan, a lot can be done to add to the selling price and desirability of your property if you are prepared to do some renovations and modifications.
Adding a Loft Conversion
Perhaps the first thing that people think of when they are looking to expand, is the traditional loft conversion. That space in the attic often goes to waste, used for storage and nothing much else in many homes. If you have a big enough location, however, it can be transformed into an extra bedroom or a home office.
The big problem is that loft conversions cost on average between £15,000 and £30,000 depending on what you are trying to achieve. While you don’t always need planning permission, you will need to fulfil local regulations on safety when it comes to building above the second floor.
The House Extension
Should you have enough land surrounding your property, the other major construction project you can undertake to add value to your home is a house extension. This can require a lot more work than with a loft conversion because you need to lay foundations and have an architects designs approved and settled on. Depending on the size of your extension, the cost can vary considerably. You also need to get planning permission which can be a lengthy process, especially if your neighbours object.
The Conservatory
One of the cheaper, and simpler, solutions to creating more space and adding value to a property is to build a conservatory. As long as these are of a certain height and size, they don’t require planning permission. Choosing the right design is important as you will want it to match the style of your home so that it doesn’t look like it’s been simply placed on the end of your property. Conservatories can vary in price from a few thousand upwards depending on the space you have available.
Bi-Fold Doors and Skylights
Not all changes to your property need to be so big, however. If you have a decent garden space but want to open your home up a bit, building a patio with bi-fold doors for your dining room or kitchen can make a big difference. This is generally an easier option than going for the full blown extension or conservatory but it is also the sort of feature that house buyers like to see and can certainly add more to the asking price if you decide to sell. Skylights are another option if you want to create a lighter, more open looking space, particularly if you use the area for entertaining.
The good news is that today’s bi-fold doors and skylights come in a range of designs and colours to suit almost any home. They’re also very secure and easy to maintain. If you’d like to find out more about bi-fold doors and skylights, contact our professional team today.