Adding Value to Property

7 years ago

This is a 3-bed semi detached house. I am trying to add value while doing the complete refurb of the property.

The dilemma is that should I extend at the back or not due to smaller garden. In the same area, houses are available with larger and smaller garden to this both.

Current garden is 12 meters deep. If I will extend the property 3 meter, it will be a 9-meter garden only.

Also, suggest the best way to make an open plan kitchen without rear extension

Featured Answer

Danielle Garber

7 years ago

It really depends on the property value now versus the build cost and future potential value. If a property is near its ceiling value then spending loads on a relatively small extension won't really 'add' value, albeit it may make the property more desirable and easy to sell.

We added a decked area to our small 3 bed before we sold it, it was great, we used to use it as an extended living area in the summer and for the £1200 it cost it was definitely worth it. We sold to the first person through the door for full asking having struggled to even get viewings a year prior

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (22)

PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
What would you be extending the back to achieve? Would it be single story to add to the living space or will you be adding bedrooms?
You don't want the people in the space to out weight the space in the garden. It sounds good for a three bedroom house with single story back extension to create a little open plan space at the back.
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
yeah, want to make an open plan kitchen diner. However just knocking down the wall between the kitchen and living area seems to make a smaller room of 6x6meter. So, I was thinking if I will extend 3m than it will be 6x9m space, however, garden will squeeze down to only 9 meters. that's what confusing me
Related Discussions
Domestic to commercial property advice
Q
Comments (1)
I would suggest that this is unlikely to be too much of an issue as it is not a 'heavy' commercial use, or a restaurant or bar.
...See More
Want to add value to your home? Consider a loft conversion!
Q
Comments (0)
A Nationwide Building Society study has shown that by adding a loft conversion to your property, you could be increasing the value by up to 20%! Read this helpful guide if you're planning to convert your loft.
...See More
How do you add value to your home?
Q
Comments (0)
We think adding an oak garage should add a considerable value to your home, well - find out what the experts think the best way of adding value to your home is, by watching this episode of The Home Game, which was aired on ITV earlier this year! It makes very interesting watching! Would you consider building something like this?
...See More
Renovation to improve house value ideas
Q
Comments (6)
Hi Phil, How exciting for you both! Sounds like you have a good plan already. Just having a quick look at the photos, I don't think adding in a wood burner would be a problem. The flue would just go up and out at an angle. This could either be exposed in the living room or boxed in to give a more traditional look. You would just need to check what the regs are in your area, as they are changing from area to area on permissions for wood burners. A good wood burner co will happily come out to give you the best advice on this. As for knocking down the wall, this sounds like a good idea, but planning out how much space you will have at the end and how you will arrange things will be key. This should be driven by what you need from the space and how you live as a family. Is it worth adding in a small utility while you are making the changes? Do want an island? All of these things will help you make smart decisions that will work best for you down the line. Hope that helps. Warm Regards Robyn Aitch Interiors
...See More
A Babbsy
7 years ago
I don't think you anyone can advise on potential for adding value just from a floor plan alone.

No scope for going into the loft space? That's normally a guaranteed winner especially when the layout doesn't require too much modification for fire regs.
strawberry47
7 years ago
I see so many positives with the current plan, existing bedroom storage, good size rooms, a garage, downstairs storage under the stairs and a downstairs guest toilet. If it was my house I'd try to rework the entry to the back room so it's more open and create an opening from the kitchen to the back room perhaps a bar arrangement where you can have bar stools. Do you have a laundry?
Rav Raj thanked strawberry47
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
Danielle Garber property is bought at 10% lower than ceiling of the road for this kind of house as its a probate and need complete refurb.

when you said you added patio at 1200, you must have added biofold doors as well?

The dilemma I have is that how much to spend and what are the really really sure area which add value while increasing the living comfort.

As I may be living in this property before selling, I am also willing to open plan kitche/diner/lounge but not sure if 6x6m is enough as thats the space i have without extension
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
A Babbsy thanks for your comment. please feel free to ask if I can share more details.

Yes we are doing loft anyway!! its a bit 10x6 meter loft.

Dilemma is about the ground floor:

- should we knowck down the wall between kitchen and living area and make open plan

- or should we extend 3 meter in the garden as well, but that will squeeze the garden to 9m

- or should we move the kitchen to gargae are and keep kitchen and current living area as a big living area?
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
strawberry47 thanks for your comments. really helpful. thats what we were thinking to make it open plan. Question is should we extend as well or the current are ie enough for it
kikiamack
7 years ago
I would advise that you get a local estate agent round as they will know what buyers are looking for and also how much value it is likely to add, so you can see whether it is worth the cost and disruption of extending.
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
kikiamack total 5-6 agent visited as till now. Shockingly they have radically different view so no help and so I start seeking out help in forum like this.

question is how a 9m garden will look in this size property?
tamp75
7 years ago
I think you need more living space, especially if you are converting the loft - presumably another bedroom? If it ends up as a 4 bed, there's not enough living space. 9 m garden will be fine but if you have open plan, one living/ eating / dining space is not enough. I'd extend if funds allow & create open plan space with separate lounge /snug that could be closed off when needed. If you have plenty of other off-street parking you could convert garage instead of doing extension although people like a garage for storage as well as parking so I'd avoid that if possible.
Nneka Forrester
7 years ago
Sorry to bother you all. I really need your help in decorating my front room and the kitchen area.

There are still lots of work to undertake as you can see from the photos. However, I haven't thought of paint colours for the walls, colour of curtains to match and cushions and was wondering if you could assist?

We have two leather sofas and their colours are burgundy red and medium dark grey.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
whizzywig
7 years ago
I would echo a couple of the other suggestions - make the current kitchen smaller and turn it into a utility, put the kitchen in the main living space. The only downside would be the lack of a separate 'sitting room'. This is where an extension might be beneficial, or the conversion of the garage.

Think of the garden as a bonus outdoor room/ome big patio and furnish it appropriately - maybe a built-in barbecue or oven, built-in seating. There are some great ideas for outdoor rooms on here. But if you're thinking only of investment rather than your forever home don't do too much!
Rav Raj thanked whizzywig
Rav Raj
Original Author
7 years ago
whizzywig, thanks a lot. What an amazing help, you even did the drawing for me. Thanks again.

Are you referring to that back extension as conservatory or proper extension!!

my current thoughts were converting garage into an extra lounge and keep open plan as is without extension!! how does that sound to you. In my mind lounge of 2.2x4.5m can be a bit like train coach kind of :-) whats your view
whizzywig
7 years ago
I was thinking the extension out the back could be an orangery or sun room type arrangement - otherwise you would lose a lot of light into the main living area. If you went with the garage conversion the light would also be a major consideration, also it might not work in your favour on a re-sale point of view. It's do-able, but I would consider it carefully!
A B
7 years ago
In general garage conversions and conservatories don't add value. It does sound like you may be at risk of overdeveloping the house which will always be limited by being a terrace on a small plot. If the estate agents weren't all in agreement about the best way to add value I would seriously consider if this is the right house to make an 'easy' profit...
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
I would agree with some of the comments above that if you're changing it to a four bed house - the downstairs needs to be big enough.
Why not start with what you have start placing furniture, looking at a layout and see how it work to seat that number of people in room, to have a large enough kitchens, enough bathroom space etc.. and work out if you *need* the space.
9m would be fine for a garden if you have the right inside space.
If estate agents aren't sure, maybe sit with an interior designer or architect who can produce a 3D of the space and garden. You will then definitely see for your self how the space works and looks. Hope it helps.
Jonathan
7 years ago
Personally I think that you need additional living space if you are going to give this house more bedrooms. Personally I think that an additional reception will add more to the value than a utility room
PRO
AVINU - Home Technology
7 years ago
Some great feedback here; as this looks to be a high footfall area we'd also recommend considering wiring the given areas for some music/TV, robust WiFi maybe some control of heating and lighting?

Cable doesn't cost much and you'll have the ability to hide any in the fabric of the building - top tip: get the right cables in the right places.

Good luck.
whippet girl
7 years ago
Hi
You could build an "outdoor room" with non-slippery composite decking in the garden, low maintenance planting with the bi-fold doors as you suggested, it would be hugely appealing, and would visually increase the size of the garden.
I would make the garage into a separate sitting room/ cinema room
Thanks
Lisa
Leone Stolzenberg
last year
last modified: last year
I would reduce the area of the backyard and expand the terrace on which more furniture can be placed and actually more guests will fit on this terrace. But first I would make estimating construction costs and find out how much it would cost me to add a terrace instead of a large backyard. If all calculations turned out to be positive and I had enough money, then I would made such repairs. However, I do not know how much money you have for this, so I will count on the fact that you have enough of them and therefore I advise the option of expanding the house and reducing the backyard. I hope you will be able to make accurate measurements of the area and you will go over the budget. I wish you successful construction!
HU-685003617
last year
First thing we did was replace the garage door. There's a local company to us who came and quoted and installed within 10 days. https://jbradygaragedoors.co.uk

We had the property valued after doing this and gained straight away

Adding Value to Property

Danielle Garber

Comments (22)

Create Perfect

Rav Raj
Original Author

Related Discussions

A Babbsy

strawberry47

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

kikiamack

Rav Raj
Original Author

tamp75

Nneka Forrester

whizzywig

Rav Raj
Original Author

whizzywig

A B

Create Perfect

Jonathan

AVINU - Home Technology

whippet girl

Leone Stolzenberg

HU-685003617

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Adding Value to Property

Comments (22)

Rav RajOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Rav RajOriginal Author

Rav RajOriginal Author

Rav RajOriginal Author

Rav RajOriginal Author

Rav RajOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author

Rav Raj
Original Author