How to add value to your home #2 Makeover
Unfinished DIY jobs and shoddy home improvements are to blame for a £38 billion black hole in the property market, according to research by DIY retailers Wickes. This is affecting the value of around 9.5 million properties.
It doesn’t take Laurence Llewelyn Bowen to work out that your threadbare living room carpet and 70s-inspired wallpaper isn’t going to win over prospective buyers, and could knock money off your selling price.
Dust the cobwebs from your toolbox, or hire an expert to do the hard work for you. Even small improvements could add up to 4K to the value of your home.
GSI is the new DIY
The nation’s love affair with the Changing Rooms-inspired home makeover has come under threat from GSI – ‘getting someone in’. More homeowners are now turning to the professionals, so much so that B&Q’s profits have fallen more than 50%.
When it comes to loft conversions or kitchen re-fits, it’s worth considering GSI as the safer home improvement option. More than 200,000 wannabe-Handy Andys end up in hospital with DIY-sustained injuries a year, according to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Bringing in a professional can mean a better quality job with no risk of DIY disaster. Plus there’s the added bonus of being able to put your feet up and let someone else figure out how to work the power drill.
› Find a local tradesman and get a quote for your home improvement project
› Find out more about re-mortgages to release money from your home
› Compare homeowner loans to find the best one for you
Advice for die hard DIY-ers
If you have a penchant for power tools, or want to do a small job yourself, getting stuck into a bit of DIY can be both rewarding and cost-effective. A fresh coat of paint or new shelves is an easy way to spruce up your home and - done properly - push up the market price.
Before reaching for the hammer, check that your home insurance policy includes accidental damage, or take out a home insurance plan in case things go awry. If a hole in the wall wasn’t the look you were hoping for, you’ll be thankful that you’re covered.
› Read our DIY guide to safe and smart home improvement
› Avoid DIY disaster by taking out a home insurance policy
› Find your nearest DIY shops and suppliers for equipment and tools
