There are a million and one things that you can do to your home to add value. However, not all home improvements are created equal. There are certain jobs that are relatively simple, but can add a fair amount of value, or at least improve the saleability of your home. For example, a lick of paint on the walls requires relatively little investment. It just takes some time and effort if you want to paint the walls yourself. 

Obviously not everyone is a dab hand when it comes to diy, so it is usually a good idea to pay for a professional to take care of the work on your property. So which home improvements are likely to give you the most bang for your buck?

Add More Space With An Extension  

Extensions are a great way to add extra space to your home. You can create as much space as you wish (to some extent). Permitted development laws in the United Kingdom allow you to add to the footprint of your property without applying for planning permission. However, rules in different areas may vary, so always speak to your local planning office. 

When considering an extension, you should think about whether you require a single storey extension, or a double storey extension. You should also think about whether you want to extend your house to the side or back, or create a wraparound extension that adds to multiple sides of the property. Most building companies will discuss your requirements and help you find the best options with the help of an professional architect

A typical house extension could cost in the region of £30k, but this will only cover you for the building work and internal finishing. If you intend to add a bathroom or a kitchen within the extension then you will also need to think about the cost of things like kitchen worktops and cabinets, or indeed bathroom suites. 

Extensions are usually the most expensive option of adding space to properties, but they can add significant value. This increase in value often covers the cost of extension itself.

Convert Your Loft To Add More Space 

A loft conversion could add up to 20% of the value to your home, which makes them potentially a very cost effective way to add space to your home. Loft conversions allow you to create a large amount of usable space without losing a large chunk of your garden. 

There are a lot of benefits to having a loft conversion in terms of adding space. The average cost of a loft conversion is around £35,000 to £50,000 depending on where you are in the country. However there are ways to do a loft conversion more efficiently. For example, if a property requires a new roof, then having a loft conversion at the same time can dramatically reduce the cost of both schemes of works. This is because in many cases, such as a dormer loft conversion, there is usually work required to the roof anyway. With this in mind it makes sense to do both at the same time to save money.

Convert Your Garage or Outbuilding To Create Living Space

One of the main benefits of a garage conversion is that you can create space without taking space from your garden. Garage conversions can serve a lot of purposes, for example adding an extra bedroom with an en-suite for guests, or creating an additional lounge for the family. 

If you don’t want to totally convert your garage then another thing to consider could be how you are using the garage. Something like a roller garage door can create a lot more usable space inside your garage or outbuilding. This additional space could allow you to store things that may otherwise be taking up space inside your home.

Average cost of a garage conversion starts from £6,000 up to £15,000 for a single garage and between £12,000 to £30,000 for a double garage. 

So Which Option Is Best? 

As we have discussed, there are trade-offs no matter whether you decide to extend or convert parts of your property. However, depending on the level of finish you want to achieve, each of these options is likely to add value to your home. If you would like to explore the different options further then it’s always a good idea to discuss your needs with a professional like a builder or an architect. They will be able to help you compare some prices and give you some idea of the sort of value you can add to your home.