How to Decide on Home Projects That Pay Off

*This is a collaborative post on how to decide on home projects that will pay off

Before embarking on a home improvement project, take a moment to consider whether the time, money and effort you are putting into it is going to pay off. Any project, other than minor works, is going to cost you, so you need to know if your home will benefit in the long term from that investment. 

Home projects- Kitchen refurbishment

One of the largest and costliest projects you can take on is a kitchen refurbishment. A new kitchen can add 5%-10% to the value of your home although other factors will come into play including your location, the quality of the work and the style you choose. 

Before investing thousands in a kitchen refurbishment, do your research. Look at property values in your area and the kind of homes that potential buyers are looking for. You may not be thinking of selling up now but it pays to look at the long term implications of the work.

Adding a high end kitchen in a terraced house may not see the return on investment that you were hoping for so try to match the kitchen design to your property’s style. If you are going to invest in a refurbished kitchen, paying for a professional installation is highly recommended. Unless you are a builder by trade, a DIY renovation will be obvious to estate agents and potential buyers who will be scrutinising your property. 

Finally, remember not to personalise your kitchen choices too much e.g. brightly coloured cabinets or quirky layouts as this can actually deter some buyers. As long as you make sensible choices, your kitchen refurbishment will be a worthwhile investment, adding to your property’s value and providing you with an aesthetically pleasing but practical space. 

Adding a porch

If you’re considering adding a porch to the front, side or rear of your house, it’s worth reflecting on how much it will cost versus the benefits of the structure. 

Building a porch is one of the more affordable structural projects for your home and when done well can add to the property’s desirability. Whether it adds to the value is debatable although it does provide obvious advantages. 

Having a buffer zone between the outside and your front door can increase security, improve energy efficiency and free up space in your hallway. Some buyers will see this as a plus but it is important that the porch is designed with the property style in mind and sympathetically built. A poorly conceived porch project can look like a box stuck onto the outside of your home and may decrease its value in the eyes of potential buyers. 

Home projects- Loft conversion

Depending on the size and style of your home, a loft conversion can offer a great return on investment. The addition of extra living space without losing any of your garden can significantly increase the value and desirability of your property. 

As loft space is generally underutilised except as a storage area, there is no loss of existing space and the footprint of the house does not need to be increased. You gain an extra bedroom and maybe another bathroom, if you have the space, so there isn’t really a downside. 

Costs vary according to the style of loft conversion e.g. rooflight conversion, hip to gable or dormer and this is typically dictated by the kind of house you have and its roof configuration. Getting the most from your investment means choosing the right conversion for your loft and working with a professional loft conversion company.