DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: David McBee
How to add value to your home Fit a new kitchen. ... Build an extension. ... Converting a garage, loft or cellar. ... Make it more energy efficient. ... Split your home into two or more properties. ... Make it more open plan. ... Improve the garden. ... Give it a good clean.
Planning permission to build and Access Requests Even if your neighbour has planning permission to build a structure, if any part of it has to be...
Read More »
30 Low Cost Products With High Profit Margins Source Wholesale Jewelry Supplier. Source Wholesale TV Accessories Supplier. Source Wholesale Beauty...
Read More »
From emergency repairs to cosmetic changes, any work you do on your home should add to its sale price, or at least help retain its value. But if the improvement aren’t done out of necessity, think carefully about the changes you make as certain alterations add more value than others. Homeowners can add significant value - up to tens of thousands of pounds - to their homes through making improvements. A newly landscaped garden or new kitchen can add enormous value - historically as much as 77% or 26% respectively (but remember that the property market is changing all the time, so these values are not guaranteed). Fit a new kitchen A new kitchen is the most common improvement carried out by homeowners, with revamped kitchens accounting for 25% of all home improvements carried out over the last five years. And it’s easy to see why – not only does a newly fitted kitchen make for an eye-catching addition to any home, it can also represent the best value returns, as a layout of around £7,500 can add as much as 26% on to the value of your property. It might also be worth combining the dining room and kitchen to create a more attractive, multi-functional living space. Having a new kitchen fitted is a big job that can involve work on the plumbing, electric and gas supplies alongside any construction work, so make sure you use a reputable company to carry out any renovations. Build an extension If your family is outgrowing your current home, you might be tempted by a move away to a bigger property, but adding an extension to your current one could prove to be a more financially sound solution. In general, the bigger the extension, the more space it creates and the greater the value it adds to the sale value – a 2017 report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that that a medium-sized extension of 25 square metres adds an average of £59,000 on to the price of a property. The type and size of extension will determine how much value will be added to your house, but your main consideration should be the type of extension that will suit you best. If, for instance, you need more living space, a double-height extension might be most suitable as it can add extra living space downstairs and an additional bedroom upstairs. If, on the other hand, your kitchen space is limited, you might want to extend out into the garden or onto your driveway. Bear in mind you might need planning permission before building an extension, and even just getting the relevant plans and permission in place can enhance the value of your property, even if you don’t have the work carried out. If you are getting the work done, bear in mind that building an extension represents a sizeable investment, so always be sure to use a reliable contractor to carry out the work. Converting a garage, loft or cellar If you’ve not got the money, space or planning permission for an extension, it’s worth considering other options, such as building a conservatory or converting your loft, garage or cellar. If you’re considering a loft conversion, remember that you’ll need to make room for a full staircase and this in itself can take up a lot of room, so always plan thoroughly to make sure it adds all the space you need without encroaching on and limiting the space in other rooms. If you’ve the option of a garage, loft or cellar conversion, it’s worth considering which is the most practical for your specific needs and property-type, as well as which will add the most value. While all should add roughly the same amount of room to your house, a garage conversion is the cheapest option, at around £7,000, while you can expect to pay at least double that for a loft conversion. A cellar conversion is generally a lot more expensive, and you could easily pay in the region of £90,000 and only add around 10% to the value of your home.
A simple garden shed might cost between $100 and $1,000, while a storage shed can run $300 to $15,000, depending on its size and whether it...
Read More »
The Housing Industry Association's latest outlook report says that new home sales have been the strongest since 2017, with construction beginning...
Read More »Make it more energy efficient All homes are now rated for energy efficiency, and homeowners must invest in an energy performance certificate (EPC) when selling, so anything that makes your home more energy efficient will make it more attractive to potential buyers. Consider installing a new boiler or insulating the loft or walls, and bear in mind that fitting double glazed windows and doors can have the added benefit of improving the look of your home while making it more energy efficient. Split your home into two or more properties If you own a particularly large building, you might be able to split it into two or more properties. But while this can add considerable value to your property, and even generate an income from rent, this is one of the more complex options. You might even need to move out while the renovation work is being done. If you want to split your property, you’ll need to get a solicitor on board to get advice on ownership of the freehold and drawing up leases for separate residences, and also work out if there are any legal barriers, such as caveats in the deeds, that could scupper your plans. But your first stop should be the planning department of your local council, as you’ll need planning permission for any work you do. You may even find there are local planning policies that could place restrictions on parking, the size of each flat or the number of rooms in each, or there could even be a general policy of not allowing conversions to flats. Make it more open plan It’s amazing how much difference just knocking a wall through can make - a lighter and larger open-plan living area is often a lot more desirable than several ground floor rooms. This can be a relatively simple and inexpensive job for a professional, but prices can increase significantly if you have to remove a supporting wall.
A 2x6 is really 1.5" x 5.5" not 2" x 6" as the name suggests. So a built-up beam made from two 2x6's is actually just 3 inches wide. If you're...
Read More »
Untreated redwood, depending on it's age, has a projected life span of 50 years or more when exposed to the elements. Pine varieties have a...
Read More »
Improve the garden A great looking garden can really make all the difference when selling your house, not only in the minds of any buyers but in terms of it valuation – the Post Office Money study found that shelling out around £2,750 on garden landscaping can add a whopping 77% onto the value of your house.
If you want to temporarily move into a static caravan whilst building or renovating a property, most councils will allow this. But only if it's on...
Read More »
Self Binding Gravels need to spread and compacted in thin layers. We recommend a finished compacted depth of no more than 50mm. Initially a 15-20mm...
Read More »
Because your head functions like a north pole, sleeping with your body in a north-facing position is considered a worst-case scenario, according to...
Read More »
Select either an on-grade or frost-proof foundation. This is because they often are made of lumber or concrete blocks that do not require digging...
Read More »
Promotion
Promotion