I’m a housing expert – the five cheap and easy DIY jobs that will add £64k value to your property
WHILE we all like to try our hand at DIY, not all of our attempts work out for the best.
Fortunately, there are five DIY jobs worth doing according to housing expert Jessica Mitchell from Gascoines – and they could even boost the value of your home by £64,000.
Glam your front door
No, we aren’t talking about adding glitter and gems to it.
But the housing expert does recommend adding a number plaque or doorbell to boost its curb appeal.
She says: “Simple things such as putting a nice ‘welcome home’ mat entice people, and adding a doorbell or door number plaque can add that extra touch that buyers love and helps to set your property apart.”
“Although adding a house number or door plaque is a small way to improve kerb appeal, improving the overall kerb appeal of your home can boost properties’ value by up to 10%,” Jessica adds.
“With house prices in the UK averaging around £250,000 this means it can add up to £25,000 on to your property depending on what work has been done.”
Panelled walls
A panelled wall can instantly make a room look more luxe. It’s also one of the easiest DIY jobs to do and can add £2,000 to the value of your home.
You can buy panelling kits in B&Q for as little as £23 or you can get real savvy by using old furniture to create the panels and even picture frames.
The housing expert adds: “With DIY panelling you can make spaces that radiate that expensive look and feel- even try painting the wall behind a bold colour to really make the natural tone of the wood pop!”
A fresh set of tiles
Whether you decided to redo the backsplash in your kitchen or the floor, tiling is a simple enough job to do yourself and could increase your home’s value by a hefty £10,000.
“When done well, new tiling can really revamp a space. Replacing older tiles with new modern ones is a must.
“Although most prefer to avoid colourful patterns, these can add amazing dimension to smaller spaces,” adds the expert.
Sprucing up the cupboards
If you can’t afford a full kitchen makeover then focusing on one or two jobs could make all the difference.
Giving your cupboards a fresh lick of paint and some new handles could help boost the value of your home by £2,000 and will only cost you £10 for a tin of paint
Jessica explains: “Refreshing your space with a lick of paint can add significant value to your home in a low-cost way.
“By sanding down wooden kitchen cupboards and freshening them up a country style paint, it can really optimise a space.
“Darker colours add contrast to backsplashes and countertops, and a lighter colour will brighten even the smallest of spaces.”
Update your fencing
A shiny new fence is exactly the kind of thing potential buyers are looking for says the housing expert and could add up to £25k to the value of your home.
She explains that new fencing can be easy to DIY, and if you’re really feeling fancy, you could add some fake ivy to spruce it up.
The housing expert adds: “If you’re faced with a shared garden, it’s easier to DIY both sides at the same time to save costs and make both houses look immaculate.”
“New fencing can also increase a property’s value by up to £25,000, however this will only increase if it has a relevant purpose such as privacy, modernisation and increasing security.”