DIY 1. First impressions count, so check your kerb appeal, says Kate Faulkner, author of Which? Essential Guide To Developing Your Property. "Upgrading the exterior will undoubtedly add value and increase your chances of clinching a future sale. Tidy your front garden, repair guttering, paint the front door and replace rotten window frames."
2. Quality flooring will add up to £5,000 to home value, says impartial.co.uk's Karen Barrett. "It will add to the overall feeling of space and light. Original or well-restored wooden flooring is still very much in vogue. There are also good laminates available but choose carefully – if it looks cheap you may be better off with carpet in a neutral colour."
3. Planning a new kitchen is a must to increase the value of a home, says Lucy Searle at Channel 4's 4Homes website: "It could add up to 10 per cent in value. It's the first thing a buyer will look for, and it's a room you spend much of your time in, particularly if it's a kitchen diner. The secret is to pick one that matches the style of your home."
4. Off-street parking can help sell a property and add value, especially if you live in a city, says Moneymagpie's Jasmine Birtles. "Consider block-paving some of your front garden and turning it into a parking space. It may not be the most attractive option but will be useful and appeal to buyers."
5. Hire good builders - do not stint on improvements, says Lucy Searle. "Builders, like all of us, are feeling the pinch, but the good ones are as busy as ever. It's usually better to pay someone to do the job well, which will add value to your property, than to stint and have to get the work corrected." Get quotes and references from three builders registered with the Federation of Master Builders - www.fmb.org.uk. Draw up a contract and never pay for work upfront. Get an idea of costs at www.whatprice.co.uk. Tell your house insurer about any work done.
6. A loft conversion can increase value by 12 per cent. "The ideal is to get a bedroom and extra bathroom up there," says Lucy Searle at 4Homes. However, David Dalby, from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), warns that you will not recoup the costs overnight: "It's likely you'll add just 50 per cent of your spend to the value in the short term."
7. Making your home energy-efficient is a must in these days of high fuel bills. "People are prepared to pay more for an energy-efficient home — some have said up to £15,000 more — and seven out of 10 do want a property which is highly energy-inefficient," says Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud.
8. A good-quality bathroom is a key attraction, says www.plumbworld.co.uk. Replace a pastel bathroom with a white one and freshen up an old white suite with new taps, tiles and shower screen. "If you can squeeze in an en-suite bathroom or fit a wet-room into a big cupboard, do it!" says Jasmine Birtles. "This will recoup at least 90 per cent of your investment."
9. A conservatory adds extra space and the average cost is £10,000 to £15,000, says RICS. It can add 12 per cent to the price of a home. Hugo Tugman at www.architectyourhome.com says, "I would urge people to invest in an architect. A conservatory does not need to comply with the building regulations but must be separated internally from the house."
10. Redecorating is a cheap way to improve your home and is essential if you have not decorated in recent years. "Keep the colours neutral," says David Dalby at RICS. "It may not add value to your home, but it should enhance its appeal."
This article first appeared in the March 2009 edition of Saga Magazine. The opinions are the author's own and for general information only. This article does not constitute investment, tax, legal, financial, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.