September 29th 2022
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
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Page 2C • September 29, 2022
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
Bringing the Interior Up-to-Date #1 Modernise Your Kitchen You’ve probably heard the saying that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, and it’s true. An up-to-date modern kitchen is one of the best ways to add value to your home. After all, it is the hub of the home! Updating a kitchen can be as simple as just giving your cabinets a fresh coat of paint. Or, it can be much more complex and involve an entirely new kitchen and layout. Property experts say if you can only afford to tackle one room in the house, it should be the kitchen. If you plan on buying a new kitchen, ensure you get the most value from it. This guide from the Nationwide Building Society <https://www.nationwide.co.uk/guides/news/articles/2018/01/does-a-new-kitchen-add-value-to-my-home> suggests that the amount you spend on a new kitchen should be in proportion to the value of your home. For example, a $500,000 home requires a higher spec kitchen than a property only worth $100,000 (and vice-versa). Otherwise, you may forfeit adding any substantial value. Elements for Added Value: Quartz & Marble – Luxury materials like quartz or marble worktops are extremely desirable in kitchens for being easy to maintain and durable. Not to mention, they’re stunningly beautiful and make any kitchen look high-end. Modern Appliances – According to Country Living <https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homesinteriors/interiors/a20110815/kitchen-features-add-most-value-property/> , buying new energy-efficient built-in appliances is the second most important contributor to adding value to your kitchen. #2 Update the Bathroom Years ago, bathrooms were rooms that just needed to be utilitarian. However, nowadays, people are looking for their bathrooms to be a luxury place, somewhere to relax and unwind, in an almost spa-like home experience. Modernising a bathroom to reflect this is a great way to add value. To achieve this, a whole new bathroom suite isn’t always necessary, and you’d be surprised how different a shower can look with new hardware and tiles. But ripping a whole suite out and starting afresh may also be beneficial,particularly if you want to change the room’s layout. Any new bathroom should still tick all the practical boxes, be easy to maintain, and have a bit of style too! Elements for Added Value:Power Shower – Nobody wants to step into a weak shower. In fact, in this poll by moneywise.co.uk <https://www.moneywise.co.uk/> , 70% of property professionals said installing a power shower was one of the most important factors in adding value to the bathroom. Underfloor Heating – Ditching radiators and opting for underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms. It will give you more wall space for a larger bath or shower and heat the room evenly. It will also add a luxurious element to the room. Who doesn’t want cosy toes after stepping out of a shower on a cold winter’s day?! .
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
September 29, 2022 • Page 3C
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
Bringing the Interior Up-to-Date #3 New Flooring There are very few floors that will truly last a lifetime. Even if your floor hasn’t worn out, it may be outdated in style. The days when carpets in bathrooms were desirable are long gone. Likewise, patterned carpets and lino tiles are no longer wanted. Updating a floor can entirely transform the look of a room. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are many easy DIY options if you’re on a budget. Ensure you choose the right floor type for the room. For example, reception rooms should be durable and easy to maintain (e.g. tiles), whereas bedrooms should feel cosy and warm (e.g. carpet) Carpets are a smart choice for bedrooms to add a cosier, more homely feel. Whatever you choose, though, new flooring is a great way to update a tired interior. Elements for Added Value: Wooden Floorboards – Bringing floorboards back to life in an older period property is a great way to add value without spending a fortune. Natural Stone – Natural stone, like limestone, is the only type of flooring that gets better as it ages. It can truly last a lifetime and adds a pinch of character simultaneously. Sort Out Practical Issues #4 Have Both A Shower And A Bath Having a shower and a bath means your property will appeal to everyone. Families in particular always need a bath for small children, yet the convenience and speed of a shower are also vital. Installing both a shower and a bath doesn’t necessarily mean you need to add a whole separate shower unit. Simply ensuring your bath area is fully tiled (or has a shower curtain) with a properly fixed shower head will solve this issue. Although if you can add a separate enclosure, this will certainly be more desirable. Elements for Added Value: Glass Screens – Choosing a glass screen around your bath rather than a shower curtain looks more modern, is easier to clean and generally does a better job at preventing water from escaping. Furthermore, it will add a more luxurious vibe. Separate Enclosure – A separate enclosure may not be vital, but if you have space and can install one, it will add more value.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
September 29, 2022 • Page 5C
Bringing the Interior Up-to-Date #5 Upgrade Your Central Heating Central heating systems are constantly being modernised and improved, particularly for their efficiency. If you don’t have central heating, this can be hugely damaging to the value of your home and not to mention your Energy Performance Certificate. Likewise, a very old and outdated boiler can devalue your property and be a turn-off for potential buyers. Upgrading a boiler, particularly if it’s older than 15 years, or installing a whole new central heating system is not cheap, but In the long term, it can save you $100s on your heating bills and add value at the same time. Make sure you get a Gas Safety registered fitter to install your boiler and that you have all the safety certificates ready for a new house buyer. To add that extra finishing touch, consider boxing in your boiler and pipes to hide the unsightly mess. Elements for Added Value: Smart Thermostats – Making sure your central heating is smart-ready means it will be future-proofed. It also allows more options for programming and controlling your heating, so it’s beneficial for lower bills too. A-Rated & Reliable Brands – Most modern boilers nowadays are A-rated, but certain well-known brands claim to add more value than others. For more info, we recommend checking out this Which Guide. Period-Style Radiators – In period properties, cast iron and column radiators are incredibly desirable to buyers and will add some irresistible charm. #6 Fix Structural Defects Structural defects are one of the biggest issues that can devalue your home. It can even lose you a string of buyers when it comes to selling, as it can cause prospective buyers to run for the hills. And if it doesn’t, they’ll likely be looking to knock a wad off the price. Structural defects can be as small as having a cracked lintel or as damaging as subsidence. In some cases, mortgage lenders may not lend on properties with serious defects, so it’s well worthwhile getting these resolved. Elements for Added Value: Sorting Damp – Problems with damp can prevent mortgages from going through entirely. Quite often, damp is easy to fix and is caused by minor issues like a leaky pipe <https://www.brisbaneplumbinganddrainage.com.au/plumberblog/checking-for-leaks/> or the ground level sitting above the damp proof course (DPC). These are all inexpensive to fix and can be the difference between knocking $1,000s off your house’s value.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
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Bringing the Interior Up-to-Date
#7 Improve Energy Efficiency When selling your house, it will be examined for its energy efficiency and given a rating on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This rating indicates to prospective buyers whether the house is built to modern standards, which suggests how much the house will cost to heat and run compared to other houses. Buyers will consider this information when buying a home and use it in their decision-making process. There are several alterations you can make to improve your rating, such as adding insulation, switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, and, as mentioned previously, upgrading your boiler. A better EPC means buyers will put a higher value on your home. We recommend checking out the Energy Saving Trust’s EPC Guide <https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/energy-performance-certificates> for more information. Elements for Added Value: Loft Insulation – Installing extra loft insulation is cheap, easy and completely DIYable. The minimum thickness recDon’t Be Fooled Into Paying More For Less ommended nowadays is 250mm. This recommendation was updated relatively The Best Price...GUARANTEED! recently, as it used to be as low as 100mm! You don’t need to remove the old stuff, you can simply lay new insulation over the top, and it’ll help the house to retain heat, cut your bills and improve your EPC. Energy-Saving Bulbs – Swapping to energy-saving bulbs is a small change that may also improve your EPC. They’re cheaper to run, last much longer, save money on your electric bill, and barely cost more than a regular bulb – so why wouldn’t you?
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE