I’m a gardening expert – five garden features that could knock thousands off your home’s value and how to avoid it

WITH the days getting warmer and summer just around the corner, green-fingered enthusiasts will be busy tending to their gardens.

But if you’re not careful, adding certain features to your outside space can knock hundreds, or even thousands, off the value of your home.

The key is to give some careful thought to your garden and what you keep in it, as it could potentially make or break a property sale either now – or at some point in the future.

We spoke to Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote what garden features could devalue your home.

She told The Sun: “A well thought out and kept garden with beautiful plants can be a real asset.

“However, the presence of certain plants and other bits and pieces could be really off-putting to potential buyers. Don’t ruin your summer by destroying your home’s value.”

Here we take a closer look at some of the features which could result in a significant price reduction.  

Japanese Knotweed

House price down by £20,000 to £50,000

Mere mention of this invasive plant can send shivers down the spine of a homeowner, and especially anyone looking to sell.

Japanese Knotweed spreads quickly and is notoriously difficult to eradicate. One of the big issues is the creeping underground roots. These can weaken foundations and destroy pipework, making it very dangerous to have close to your home.

Fiona said: “It can take treatment over several years to fully eradicate it, so it’s no wonder having it can reduce the value of your home by between 5 and 15 per cent.”

If you suspect there’s knotweed in your garden, you need to call in an expert to get it treated and removed.

This does not come cheap. Professional treatment with herbicide could set you back around £1,750, and if full excavation and removal is needed, the cost could easily rise to around £6,500 – and possibly a lot more.

Fiona added: “If knotweed has spread from a neighbouring property, they are legally obliged to deal with it. But keeping your garden tidy will help you spot problems like this before they become unmanageable.”

On a more positive note, while knotweed has gained a reputation for scuppering borrowers’ chances of getting a mortgage, lenders are now taking a less black and white view.

Provided the infestation is professionally treated with an insurance-backed guarantee, affected properties can now be bought and sold.

Giant Hogweed

House price down by £15,000

This invasive plant, often found near ponds, can be recognised by its thick purple-spotted stems and white umbrella-shaped flowers. But while it may look harmless, its sap is phototoxic.

Fiona said: “This means it can cause severe burns to the skin in sunlight.”

Even though the plant doesn’t cause any damage to your property, the cost of removing it can soon mount up.

“You could find yourself having to fork out around £15,000 to get rid of it,” warned the gardening whizz.

“With this in mind, the presence of this plant in your garden could lead to buyers trying to seek a lower price for the property.”

A messy garden

House price down by £2,000

If your outside space has become overgrown, or if parts of it are dead, this can very quickly make your home look cheap.

Fiona said: “Irrespective of how beautiful your property is, if the garden isn’t up to scratch, it’s going to have an impact on the overall appearance of your home. You need to keep your lawn looking neat and tidy.”

The key is to ensure your garden fits in well with the style of your property.

Fiona added: “If, for example, your home’s exterior is quite traditional, choose classic plants and opt for formal pruning.

“If your home is a more contemporary style, go for a more minimalistic approach.”

Old sheds and garages

House price down by £28,000

While sheds and garages can be a great place to store stuff, over time, they can get weathered and worn.

“Buyers, and especially those with young families, value usable garden space,” said Fiona.

“Dilapidated sheds and garages are ugly, and take up space that can be better used for plants and lawns.”

There’s also a risk that old garages can contain asbestos, while rickety structures can be hazardous in gardens where children are playing.

“That’s why these buildings can reduce the value of your home by up to 10 per cent,” said the garden supremo.

“The best move is to get old sheds and garages taken down.”

If you suspect any structure contains asbestos, use a specialist company to do it.

Fiona added: “You may need to take up the concrete base to create some usable space. But if the budget is tight, you could cover it with decking to make a seating area instead.”

An old or broken driveway

House price down by £14,000

First impressions go a long way, so if the driveway leading up to your home is old, broken or particularly dirty, this could make your home look cheap, and could destroy some of your property’s value.

“If you want to improve the appearance of your driveway, you could start by cleaning it and filling in any cracks,” said Fiona.

“Pressure washing is one of the best ways to clean it.”

This can really improve the appearance of your home, and may help you get a higher price when you come to sell.

Here are some further features which could be a turn-off to potential buyers – and could detract from the value of your home:

English ivy

Ivy on the outside of your home may look quite attractive, but once the plant starts taking over, it can end up appearing rather messy. It can also be damaging.  

It can attack the walls of your property, making its way through cracks and penetrating the mortar. This can lead to some serious problems with damp, and could cause some hefty leaks.

The good news is, roots can be killed or removed relatively easily as a DIY job. You can peel it away by hand, but always remember to wear gloves to avoid irritation.

Artificial grass

If you’ve got young children, having fake grass can be a godsend as there’s no mud to worry about, plus the grass is always green.

But this is one of the most off-putting property trends, according to Halifax.

You need to think very carefully before digging up the turf or paving over any greenery, as this remains a big ‘no-no’ for many people.

Swimming pools and hot tubs

While fancy garden features, such as a swimming pool or hot tub can seem luxurious, the fact that they can be expensive to maintain can be a turn-off for potential buyers.

Some will also worry about outdoor water installations being dangerous for children.

According to Webuyanyhouse.co.uk, having a swimming pool could potentially knock £16,000 off the value of your property.

So think carefully before splashing out.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk