Five home upgrades that can really pay off

Almost half of Brits plan to give their home a makeover in the next year and they will spend an average of £3,342 on these projects. But not all these jobs will add value to their homes. If you would like to boost your property’s value, make sure these home upgrades are on your to-do list:

Paint your home

A new coat is a good and inexpensive way to add thousands to the value of your home. Potential buyers look for and love neutral colours, but remember this doesn’t restrict you to white or beige. Earth colours work really well especially green, blue, browns are warm and inviting. Grey works really well in modern properties and it is right on trend.

The majority of potential buyers will make their own opinion on your home before they even enter the front door, so don’t forget to paint the exterior as well. A freshly painted home will have real appeal to the buyers, as it will look fresh, modern and clean.

Remember to look at other houses on the street and the landscape before choosing a colour for the outside of your home. If you are unsure, you can’t go wrong with white.

Convert your loft

More than 23 million homes have a loft space and many of these are only used for storage. Rather than using the space to store boxes and old furniture and other junk why not turn it into a liveable space or give it a well needed makeover? This could increase the value of your home by 10-15 percent, or up to 20 percent in London where spacious homes are in short supply.

Always remember, a professional valuer will analyse your home in terms of usable floor space. If you add to that space, you immediately add value.

Your new space could become an extra bedroom or a study, both of which are incredibly attractive to potential buyers. Do be careful to make sure you investigate whether planning permission and / or Listed Building Consent is required, have a surveyor inspect first to make sure the joists can support the extra loading and keep an eye on the works as they progress to make sure corners aren’t cut.

Add or upgrade your central heating

“A modern central heating system is a lot more energy efficient than electric heaters or outdated models. The new system should have a full set of thermostatic radiator valves, a timer and a room thermostat.”

Installing a modern central heating system will cost between £3000 and £4000, but you will quickly recover this cost in your reduced energy bills. You will see the biggest difference if you work with the system by insulating your loft and sealing gaps around windows, and taking other energy-efficient measures. In most cases this will add more to your property’s value than its initial cost and the government’s ECO Scheme means you might even get such measures free!

Install a water softener

More than 60 percent of homes in the UK have hard water, which is rich in magnesium, calcium and other minerals. Hard water causes lime scale on heating systems, water pipes and household appliances. It can also significantly reduce the lifespan of heating systems and appliances.

Installing a water softener will remove the minerals from the water supply and will help you to reduce your household bills. Your appliances will last longer and you’ll spend less on lime scale removers and bathroom cleaners.

Spruce up the garden

Making your garden over can improve your home’s kerb appeal and adds significant value to your property. If you are looking to do the bare minimum, you should cut back overgrown trees, get the weeds out of the flower beds, replant some new flowers and cut the lawn. However step up your efforts and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.

Buyers will love privacy and this can be achieved by planting mature trees or putting up fences. A well-designed deck will increase a home’s living space and also increase its value. Having distinctive areas for relaxing and eating can make a garden feel more appealing and usable.

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More