Removing an internal wall to create a kitchen diner is among the many low-hassle building projects which can increase the value of your home in days.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) have joined forces to advise homeowners that investing a small amount of cash into home improvements can reap big rewards.
According to research the kitchen diner conversion could add as much as £48,417 in seven days to an average priced home in London.
Creating a garden room or outside playroom for the kids could add as much as £35,611 in 14 days to a Surrey property in the county’s average price range, said the FMB and HOA.
Back in the kitchen, the next most profitable project involves installing new flooring, worktops and cabinet doors. Doing this will add £26,838 in eight days to an average-priced home in Dorset.
And converting the cupboard under the stairs into a toilet would also add £26,708 in seven days to the average house in Surrey.
Meanwhile, installing an en-suite into the master bedroom could add £14,525 to the average London property. Building a new driveway could boost the Surrey home’s value by £13,354 and the addition of some decking and lighting to the Dorset home could boost the price by £8,946.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “If you’re looking to move up the property ladder, it’s obviously in your best interests to increase the value of your home as much as possible.
“By investing in low cost, high return projects, not only will you make your home a more pleasant place you’ll also be increasing its value significantly.
“Better still, these projects take no time at all so the hassle factor will be kept to an absolute minimum.”
Berry advised, if you don’t have any recommendations for good builders, to visit the FMB’s free Find a Builder service. All new members are vetted and independently inspected before they are allowed to join.