There are plenty of jobs that even the most DIY-shy of us can tackle around our homes to make them more attractive to prospective buyers.
Repairs and maintenance
To start with, it's worthwhile completing all those small DIY jobs such as touching up chipped woodwork and replace washers on dripping taps.
But remember, before a buyer even steps into your house, they will have already formed an impression from what they see outside. So don't forget, a well-kept garden, pathway and fence are top priorities.
Water can cause major problems in unwanted places. Check your roof and guttering, replace broken tiles and repair the lead flashing. It's worth casting an eye over the drains too - after all, the last thing you want buyers to be confronted by is a blocked or smelling drain.
A regular lick of paint will keep a property looking good and keep deterioration at bay. A newly-painted front door with shiny door furniture always creates a good impression. When selling, a surveyor will be able to spot if attempts at 'sprucing up' your property are simply quick fixes - he'll be much more impressed by ongoing maintenance.
Cutting the lawn can be a last-minute pick-me-up, and sprinkling some lawn feed a couple of weeks beforehand will brighten it up and make it look healthy.
If your fitted kitchen units look tired, it's easy to replace or paint and varnish the doors, and this will be much less expensive than buying a totally new kitchen. If the units are in fairly good condition and only look dated, just replace the doorknobs, handles and taps. Another economical trick is to fit new worktops onto existing units.
Revitalise a bathroom with some fresh paint, a plant and new taps, shower curtain and light pull. All these items can be picked up cheaply from DIY stores.
Coloured bathroom suites are out and old-fashioned white is back in vogue. If you've got an avocado or pink bathroom, consider investing in a white suite. It will add value to your property, and make it more appealing to buyers.
Restoring fireplaces and period features, such as ceiling roses and cornices, can add thousands of pounds to a property. If you don't have a fireplace then a striking picture can work equally well. If you decide to install a fireplace, look for an original period grate and surround in reclamation yards.
Extending your home
Adding rooms to a property will help to increase its value and ensure that when you come to sell your home, it can be put on the market at a higher asking price. But, when looking at making structural changes to add value to a property, it's important to have a good idea of what it's already worth and what the maximum value is.
Extending a property is a major project and shouldn't be undertaken lightly:
Call in professionals to complete the job properly, and remember that there are planning restrictions and building regulations which need to be followed.
Ask friends to recommend reputable builders and an architect as, if an extension is botched, it could end up devaluing a property rather than adding value.
An extension should match the architectural style of the existing house. Extra bathrooms and large kitchens are usually good investments in family-sized homes and a garage in a busy, urban area will also add value.
The room that usually benefits the most from enlarging is the kitchen. Adding a kitchen/diner creates the farmhouse kitchen most people want and gives extra space. The old dining room can become an office or playroom. Even better, build above the kitchen extension to add an extra bedroom at the same time.
Victorian or 1930s houses are ideal for loft conversions because of their high roof pitches. Prices will vary depending on how many bedrooms are added and whether an en-suite is required. A loft room will require less planning and building requirements than a bedroom. Research your project thoroughly, by speaking with chartered surveyors and architects.
If there isn't a reason to expand, consider applying for a further advance on your mortgage and give the house a thorough makeover. A new kitchen, bathroom and carpets will revive the passion in the property and increase its value at the same time.
Planning and building
Major building work will always require careful planning and the services of a building surveyor, building technician or architect, all of whom should be aware of the current regulations, the required inspections and how they apply to the work you're undertaking. These regulations are updated annually and mean that any builder must conform to certain standards of construction and workmanship.
Planning regulations determine what you can build, while building regulations control how you must build it. Granting of planning permission doesn't mean you've received building control approval and vice versa.
Both of these departments are based at your local council, and are generally helpful, informative and reasonable. They're there for your protection and that of your neighbours.
Planning permission
The planning system is designed to protect the environment in the public interest, not one person's interests over another. If you build something that needs planning permission without obtaining permission first, you may be forced to put things right later, which is not only troublesome but also potentially costly. In some circumstances you could even be required to remove unauthorised buildings.
Renovation rules and regulations
If you are considering renovating an older property, make sure that you are aware of the possible restrictions that may apply, such as Listed Building consents.
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