Are you thinking of putting your home on the market? 2022 has highlighted some key home improvements that homebuyers will have at the top of their “must-haves” list and will therefore most likely be keen to splash a bit of extra cash on.
The experts at home improvements company Stormclad in the East Midlands have compiled a short list of products and ideas they think homeowners should consider investing in to add value to their property, before they sell.
John Evans, managing director at Stormclad, said: “We are well and truly in the middle of the British summer, and we have certainly had some scorching hot days!
“It’s always the way at the end of summer that we look back and think “it would have been so nice if we had had…”. No doubt many homeowners will now have new bi-fold doors or new windows on their list of ‘home wants’ because they’ve missed them this summer - and the likelihood is, if they’ve missed them, those who are currently house-hunting will notice their absence too when they come round to view.
“We often think it is worth the investment to upgrade a few things here and there before homeowners sell, if they can afford the time and short-term cost. Lockdown has had a huge impact on what homebuyers are looking for now, and home improvement trends are constantly changing and adapting to what’s going on in our lives -- so it’s definitely worth keeping up if you can, and especially if you want a good price for your home when it’s time to sell.”
Kitchen extension
Kitchen extensions seem to be all the rage this year, and it is not surprising considering we were cooped up for so long. According to Location Location Location’s Phil Spencer1, Google Trends data revealed that on the first day of the first lockdown, there was a significant spike in house extension searches. During the pandemic itself, new kitchen extensions and renovations saw an increase of 23% and right now, it is estimated that they can increase your home’s value by at least 5-10%2.
An expansive kitchen will not only mean you can accommodate large social gatherings with ease and flexibility, but it will allow a wave of natural light into your home which will open it up even more; and no doubt your sense of wellness will reap benefits too.
Bi-fold doors
It is worth homeowners thinking about investing in quality bi-fold doors, such as a new set to lead out to the garden.
The market for bi-folds is currently booming and is estimated to grow by around £600 million by 20253. Bi-folds offer a seamless transition between the cosy security of your home and the outside, so you can enjoy both the outdoors and indoors.
Investing in quality, modern and particularly aluminium bi-fold doors will mean that homeowners do not have to worry about insulation or running up the heating bill in winter. Bi-folds are thermally efficient, secure, and durable and most can often be made bespoke according to your requirements so that they match the aesthetic of your home effortlessly and are the perfect fit.
Windows and front doors
For that all important kerb appeal, it is essential when selling a home that the windows and front doors are well-kept and fresh-faced. Windows and doors are the very first thing anyone on the hunt for a house will see, so even a fresh lick of paint is a great start to help improve its overall appearance. In fact, homeowners could see a loss of £5K off their potential sale price if their painting skills are not up to scratch4 – make sure you choose a sensible colour!
In order to see a significant difference in the value of your property, it is worth upgrading your doors and windows to brand new fitouts. Composite doors are a particularly popular and affordable option as they combine multiple different materials - timber and robust-thermo plastic ABS skin, the same plastic used for Lego! - to create a much stronger overall material.
With regards to new windows, consider some modern double-glazed casement windows for quality insulation, energy efficiency and classic style.
Living spaces and home offices
If you do not already have a dedicated home office space, even if you don’t work from home yourself, it is worth ensuring there is a clear space that could be used for this purpose when you sell. Whether that may be making use of your conservatory or spare room or extending out your kitchen, enlarging your living space as you much as you can will make your home a real winner. 25% of UK residents said that they wanted to move to a bigger property in 2021-225, so consider making your home a worthy candidate!
1 https://www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/owning/home-improvement-trends/
2 https://www.stormclad.co.uk/blog/what-are-the-2022-home-improvement-trend-predictions
3 https://parklanewindows.co.uk/blog/are-bifold-doors-going-out-of-fashion/
5 https://www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/owning/home-improvement-trends/
For more information about the home improvement services available at Stormclad, please visit https://www.stormclad.co.uk/ or call 0115 970 8077.