Invest smarter to increase your home’s value

Everyone wants their house to look its best when potential buyers come knocking — and there are certainly ways to make it more appealing.

While many choose simple DIY hacks to add extra value to their home, some think a little bigger and tackle larger renovations to attract interest and potentially increase their property’s value.

But how do you know when a project is worth it? Sometimes an upgrade is the savvy move, but sometimes it can cost you more in the long run. To help you invest smarter, we’ve created a list of the renovations that you may think add value, but could actually cost you more than you’ll make back. 

1. Installing solar panels

Solar panels surged in popularity in the mid-2010s and although that rise has slowed in recent years, green energy now accounts for about 5% of the UK’s electricity generation.

However, as fantastic as they are for the environment, they are expensive to install (up to £10,000) and can sometimes put buyers off a property.

Not everyone is a fan of how they look on the side of a roof and, although they do save you money on bills in the long run, it can be many years before you earn back your initial investment. You may find that you should spend your money getting your new home going green.

In fact, a survey by Which? found that two thirds of estate agents think solar panels make absolutely no difference to a house’s value, and one in six (17%) think it could even lower it. So although it’s always a good idea to go green, you might want to wait until you get to your new home.

2. Adding expensive decking

Decking can make a garden far more accessible, offering a pleasant area to sit out on warm summer evenings. But if you’re selling, you might want to think twice about adding one to try to make your home more valuable. 

Decking needs a lot of maintenance to keep it up and stop it warping, and it can be dangerously slippery after rain. Buyers may not want to sign up for the effort, especially as most decking needs replacing every few years. 

With this in mind, homeowners should think hard about splashing out the £1,500 or so before adding decking — as you might not get much back for your money.

And they don’t come cheap. Installing such a feature can cost up to £20,000 for bespoke designs, particularly if you add appliances to it, like an oven. If a potential buyer doesn’t like the island, it is very expensive to remove it as they’ll have to relocate gas lines. It may be smarter to put your money elsewhere, unless your kitchen is desperate for a remodelling.

4. Installing lavish garden features

Garden features, like hot tubs, water fountains or ornaments, can add a burst of personality to your outside space — but be careful, as they are often very expensive to install and can put off buyers.

The initial outgoing can be hefty, but they are also costly to maintain, which can be unattractive for people viewing your property.

We always want you to get the most for your home — and that includes selling your home for free. Every penny you save is money that could be going toward your next home. Book your free, no-pressure valuation today to learn what Strike is all about.