Avoid expensive mistakes in home improvements: UK Property Shop News

Money spent on home improvements does not automatically increase the value of a property, say chartered surveyors. In fact, unsympathetic extensions and building works can devalue a property or make it more difficult to sell. Home owners should make sure they are well informed before they call in the builders.

In a survey published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) the most common types of home improvement have been rated in terms of the percentage value they are likely to add to a property. An information leaflet Extending your Home, has also been published advising people what they need to know before embarking on major building works.

According to three-quarters of RICS estate agents who were questioned, the main reason people are improving their properties is to upgrade, while a third stated that financial gain was important.

RICS estate agents believe aesthetic improvements such as putting in a landscape garden can add three percent to the value of a typical semi-detached property, but laying new carpets and wood flooring in most cases has very little impact on value. An extension such as a conservatory is likely to add five percent whereas building a basement may only add two percent. Improving services and temperature control are more worthwhile than people might think. They believe installing central heating could add five percent, and double-glazing up to 4 percent to a property's future sale value.

However, the addition to value will not in all cases compensate for costs incurred, as this will depend on the quality of work and other features of the property, such as location and style.

Improvements which can assist in property saleability are:
* Central heating
* Off-road parking
* Adding a conservatory
* Adding a new bathroom
* Updating a kitchen
* Reinstating period features
* Double glazing
* Putting in a downstairs toilet

In most cases, converting one type of room into another does not seem to add value. 54% of surveyors believe converting a garage to a bedroom will not improve saleability and 88% believe the same is true of converting a garage to a gym.

RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf a chartered surveyor estate agent says: "There are three things which motivate people to improve their properties - enhancing their home environment, increasing the capital value of their property, or improving its saleability. Most properties provide some potential for expansion either up, out or down but we would advise people to think sensibly about how much they are investing and their key motivator before undertaking major projects. It is important to think about the style and age of the property before undertaking any works - mock Tudor features do not sit well in modern properties; likewise contemporary alterations may undermine the integrity of a period home. What appeals to some people may not appeal to others and costly disappointments can be avoided with a little prior planning and research."

The basics of where to start planning for a development, understanding planning permission, party wall agreements; building regulations; and how to choose a builder are all subjects covered in RICS Extending Your Home leaflet.