Month: March 2023

There’s a saying in estate agency that goes ‘kitchens and bathrooms sell homes’ and we tend to agree. We’re often asked by prospective sellers what they should do to make their kitchen ultra-appealing and many ask if it’s possible to add value too. Our answers to the most commonly-asked questions should help inform your kitchen plans.

Q. Should I completely replace my kitchen?

A. Our answer would follow an in-person visit. Exceptionally dated or poor-condition kitchens can put buyers off and decrease a home’s value, so we may recommend a refit before the property goes on the market. How much value a new kitchen adds varies – it can be as much as 10% – but we can help you establish whether the cost of a refit’s labour and materials is more than the price uplift achievable.

Q. Is there a cost-effective alternative to replacing my kitchen?

A. Buyers are looking for bright, social and practical kitchens and if your kitchen doesn’t deliver, it may be seen as a negative. If your budget or time scale prevents remodelling, illustrating what’s possible is an option. A small investment in plans for a revised kitchen layout and creating a mood board to show prospective buyers will highlight potential. You may go as far as obtaining drawings or even full planning permission for a kitchen extension – it will cost a fraction of actually undertaking the work.

Q. My cabinets are from the 1990s – should I change them?

A. Cabinetry fashions change over time and the style makes it possible to pinpoint the age of a kitchen. If your carcasses are in good condition, a cosmetic makeover may be enough. It’s possible to replace the doors – or have them resprayed – and a change of handles can make an instant impact. You can also replace worktops, or have poor-condition surfaces wrapped or overlayed.

Q. I have freestanding appliances – will they hinder a sale?

A. While research by Ideal Home found UK buyers would pay £1,761 extra for fitted appliances, freestanding appliances are rarely so off-putting they cause a prospective purchaser to walk away. Indeed, we feel integrated appliances are ‘nice to have’ rather than essential. What matters more is the brand, the energy rating and the age of the appliances – the newer the better.

Q. You can’t sit down to eat in my kitchen, is that a problem?

A. There are advantages to an eat-in kitchen if you haven’t got a separate dining room. If space is at a premium, you may wish to consider a slim bar-height table with stools, a drop-down table that can be folded flush against a wall or a drop-leaf dining table with integral chair storage. Alternatively, make use of bench-style seating in alcoves and bay windows, and save space with fold-up dining chairs.

Q. Should I upgrade the lighting in my kitchen?

A. Kitchens have evolved from merely a place to prepare food to social hubs, and a variety of lighting options can help set the scene. Overhead task lighting – such as spotlights – is essential for cooking but being able to switch to pelmet and plinth lighting is an attractive feature. Pendant lights over an island or peninsula also make a great design focal point.

Q. I haven’t got much of a budget, are there cheap ways to improve my kitchen?

A. Yes! Some of the best transformations follow a simple trip to a DIY store. You should never underestimate the power of a clean kitchen, so pick up a limescale remover, a degreasing product and a stainless steel cleaner to make your kitchen sparkle. Cleaning your oven and hob are also must-do jobs before a sale. Decluttering will help make your kitchen feel more spacious and a coat of neutral paint will freshen the walls. Add a scented candle or reed diffuser to your shopping basket to help neutralise cooking odours, and a houseplant or vase of flowers never fails to add finesse to a set of property photos.

If you would like advice regarding your kitchen or a free, no-obligation valuation, please contact us today.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to add value to a property. In fact, it can be exciting to think altering, enlarging or upgrading your home may allow you to recoup more than you’ve spent when you come to sell.

There are, however, high points and pitfalls when it comes to adding value, especially if you’re looking to undertake much of the improvement work yourself.

Be prepared to go neutral

It’s an oldie but a goldie – many buyers are put off by brave interior design choices. Most buyers make snap judgements based on aesthetics, especially when viewing online, while other people want a ‘ready to live in’ home where they don’t have to spend time or money on redecorating.

Dark paint colours, bold wallpaper and fun themes rarely add value and can actually prompt potential buyers to offer less, so don’t follow fashion when revamping the interior. Redecorating with neutral colours will give your home the broadest appeal and attract more buyers. Plus, a light, unfussy interior has the added bonus of making rooms feel more spacious too.

Enquiry levels, viewing feedback and offers received will be a good indicator if some décor tweaks could improve the property’s appeal. We’ll always advise you before you put your home on the market but acting on comments during the marketing process can also have a positive effect.

Consider reinstating coveted aspects

In most cases, some basic DIY and maintenance is enough to add appeal and help a home achieve its true sales value. In some cases, however, more major alterations could be required.

Reoccurring aspects that can devalue a home include bathrooms where the bathtub has been replaced with a shower cubicle, bedrooms that have been converted into dressing rooms, a gym or hobby spaces, and rooms that have been knocked through to create open-plan living. The latter has been under scrutiny more recently, with buyers concerned about the cost of heating larger spaces.

Careful planning is required, however, when it comes to reversing substantial property aspects. Don’t automatically assume reinstating a dividing  wall or ripping out fitted wardrobes is the right decision – you’ll need to establish whether the work will cost more than the value it will add.

In some cases, there may be a more practical middle ground – such as installing a shower over a bath, for example. As we discuss below, removing or adding an element is one thing, how well it’s executed is another.

Know when to call in the professionals

Knowing your limits is important, especially in light of a new study commissioned by British Gas. In its list of ‘Top 25 jobs Brits don’t feel confident carrying out’ were wallpapering a room, patching a hole in the wall and replacing a light fitting.

While it’s tempting to think ‘that’ll do’ if you’ve slapped on a coat of paint or literally papered over the cracks ahead of selling, sloppy workmanship can come back to haunt you. In two separate reports, one by Pension Times and another by Loveproperty.com, poor quality DIY was deemed to devalue a home. In the case of the latter, it was cited as the top reason why a home could lose value.

If you’re not a perfectionist or have never tackled such jobs before, don’t go it alone. It could be more cost effective to hire a professional to undertake the work for you.

Homeowners rarely set out to devalue their property and more often than not, DIY and maintenance can enhance the value, if done well. If you’re in any doubt about how you can achieve the very best sales price for your home, feel free to contact us.