How to add £100,000 to your house with garden offices, solar panels, a garage conversion and more

Before the pandemic, building an office in the yard wasn’t the first option for homeowners looking to add value to their property.

But in 2023 – when working from home is all the rage – a so-called ‘shoffice’ (shed office) is now one of the most profitable additions around, increasing the sale price of a home by as much as £21,500.

It comes as buyers’ tastes are changing dramatically in the post-Covid era and amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Last week Money Mail revealed that conservatories – once considered a luxury extension to your home – can now lower the value of your property by as much as £15,000 when you come to sell. But this isn’t the only feature that has fallen out of favor.

Here, we analyze the latest real estate refurbishment math to reveal the home renovations that will make you a profit when you start selling – and that could cost you dearly.

For example, converting your garage can add as much as £28,751 to your home, while a garden office can add over £21,000 and a utility room a surplus of £14,000.

Even a refurbishment can bring in just over £9,000, while an electric car charging point can bring in just under £5,000.

Buyers’ tastes have changed dramatically due to the pandemic and the rising cost of living. Features that were once desirable can now be a turnoff

New habits of buyers

For many years, open spaces that combine a kitchen, dining room and even a living room have been much appreciated. But during the lockdown, many families found these rooms to be noisy and lacking in privacy.

Lockdowns may be over, but new habits have formed.

Today, the ‘broken plan’ layout is the new ideal. This can be achieved by reintroducing walls that were previously removed or using furniture and furnishings to create the feeling of specific zones for cooking, eating and studying.

Buyers are also looking for homes with workspaces as many still work from home a few days a week.

Even if you don’t work from home, you may want to clear out a workspace to impress potential buyers.

You can do this by placing a workspace with a desk and a nice lamp in the corner of a room – just enough for buyers to imagine working from home in comfort.

Even better is an insulated and weatherproof garden office, or ‘shoffice’ (shed office) in the back of the garden.

The cost of installing one of these is around £9,500, but they can increase the value of your home by £22,000, according to analysis by Birmingham estate agents Barrows & Forrester.

After the pandemic and lockdowns, a garden office could add £22,000 to the price of your home

Energy guzzlers

Conservatories are frowned upon by homebuyers concerned that the rooms are expensive to heat in the winter and too warm to enjoy in the summer.

Other energy-intensive features have also fallen out of favor due to the rising cost of gas and electricity.

These include hot tubs and swimming pools, which are expensive to operate and maintain. They can scare off potential buyers.

Martin Ballantine of consultancy firm Prime Collection: ‘If you install a swimming pool, you condense your market into a niche.

“Many buyers will be concerned about maintenance costs. There are also safety issues for families with young children.’ More and more home buyers are now looking at a home’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) before considering a purchase.

Wanted: An insulated and weatherproof garden office or ‘shoffice’ (shed office) at the bottom of your garden can increase the value of your home by £22,000

To give yours a boost, consider adding insulation to the attic space if necessary and sealing drafts around windows and doors.

Double glazing typically costs £7,000 but on average increases property values ​​by around £8,830, according to Barrows & Forrester.

Henry Pryor, a buyer’s agent who finds homes for home seekers, says, “Most energy efficiency improvements today will be reflected in a home’s value, but not all.

‘A charging point for electric cars will probably not add much. . . yet.’

This is because very few potential buyers currently prioritize this feature.

However, these charging points may become more valuable in the coming years as a growing number of households buy an electric car.

Add space

Increasing the square footage of your home will likely add more value than putting in a fancy new bathroom or kitchen.

For example, a converted garage that creates an extra bedroom with an en-suite bathroom can provide a boost of £28,751.

It is important to research the market in your area before starting work.

Catherine Merrett, of Richmond-based estate agent Antony Roberts, says: ‘Many people assume that an attic extension or conversion will have added value that outweighs the cost of the works. But a lot depends on your location.’

Ms. Merrett suggests scouring real estate websites Rightmove and Zoopla for homes similar to yours and comparing prices between those that have been extended and those that haven’t.

Turn off: Swimming pools, which are expensive to run and maintain, can put off some potential buyers

View photos and floor plans of properties for sale and those that have recently sold. This should give you an idea of ​​the potential return on improvements.

She adds: ‘For example, we have a lovely house on our books for £1.7 million that has not been renewed.

“But a similar property in the locality that had been extended and refurbished sold for considerably more at £2.3 million.”

Before embarking on a home improvement project, make sure you get the basics right.

James Forrester, of Barrows & Forrester, says: ‘There are some home improvements, such as repairing or replacing a boiler or a roof, that may not pay for themselves at all.

“But without such repairs, you may struggle to sell at all. Address basic defects before considering an improvement project.”

Neutral zone

A neutral decor of beige and cream is the traditional way to attract buyers. But buyers these days can be put off if a home looks too drab, soulless and businesslike rather than inviting.

Vikki Broad, of Hamptons estate agents, says, ‘Adding a little personality goes a long way.

“People tend to feel more emotionally connected to a home that is loved and lived in, and where they can imagine living happily ever after.

“Color can evoke emotion, so don’t be afraid to inject a little into your home.”

Also think carefully about selling a house that is empty.

Consider borrowing or renting furniture while the property is for sale if it is not being lived in.

Ms Broad adds: ‘People buy into a lifestyle more than the bricks and mortar – and it’s hard to imagine living in a vacant building.’

Unnecessary: ​​Charging points for electric cars could become more valuable in the coming years as more and more households buy electric cars

Know the buyer

Think about what kind of home buyer you hope to attract.

For example, if you think families are your potential buyers, Ms. Merrett recommends a downstairs toilet and utility room, as well as plenty of integrated storage.

The typical cost of a utility room is £8,100, but it can add £14,375, according to Barrows & Forrester.

Small changes

A new kitchen or bathroom may impress buyers, but you may be able to achieve the same result with a much lower budget.

You can bring the wow factor to your kitchen by repainting or replacing cabinet doors or countertops and installing new lighting.

Updating the kitchen hardware, such as handles and knobs, can be another inexpensive solution.

B&Q has a range of antique and contemporary styles. Browse the latest trends on Instagram, online and in real estate magazines to give you an idea of ​​what buyers might be looking for.

A quick redecoration can provide one of the best returns on your investment.

The typical cost for a full repaint is £2,975 but should raise £8,913 according to Barrows & Forrester.

Some of the most effective home improvements require no budget at all.

A spring cleaning and declutter can help make your home look much more attractive.

Ms Merrett adds: ‘Trimming trees and hedges if they block light to the property will also help.’

Make it an asset

Conservatories may be out of fashion, but there are still steps you can take to show yours in its best light.

Make it look like a place to relax surrounded by elegant foliage, and not a storage place for tools, bicycles and other household items.

If the heat of your greenhouse wilts plants, replace them with the mock variety, available from retailers such as Blooming Artificial, Marks & Spencer, Robert Dyas, and others.

You can also make your conservatory more energy efficient by installing a better insulated roof or blinds.

However, the bill for these adjustments can run into the thousands and you may not make the money back when you come to sell.

As a quick and cheap solution, special films can be applied to the glass windows to help insulate them.

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