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Which home improvements add the most value to your property

2nd December 2019

Research by HaMuch.com reveals that installing a conservatory is the most cost-effective home improvement, increasing property value by £7,387 after costs. Other beneficial improvements include kitchen renovations and redecorations. Loft conversions add significant value but are costly, while solar panels provide minimal immediate value benefits, mainly reducing electricity bills.

best home improvements

A conservatory is best home improvement to add value to your home

Adding a conservatory is the most cost-effective way of adding value to your property, research from tradespeople comparison site HaMuch.com has revealed.

Christmas can be a tough time to sell in a quieter market and ensuring your property stands out from the crowd can cost money.

HaMuch.com looked at the percentage value added by a number of home improvements on the average house once you’ve accounted for the cost of the work and found that installing a conservatory costs £6,675 but increases the price by £14,062, or 6.0%.

This means you increase the property value by £7,387 after factoring in the money spent on the installation.

Kitchen and all-over redecoration – good options

Other value-for-money home improvements you can make are installing a kitchen, adding £4,890 of value after taking costs into account.

Meanwhile conducting an all-over redecoration adds £4,765 to the house price after costs.

Loft conversions – a big difference

Converting your loft into a living area increases the property value by 10.8%, or £25,312, but it’s an expensive affair.

It’s estimated to cost £21,000 to carry out and you may need to gain planning permission, while there are practical barriers, as you may have to alter the roof structure, add windows and/or a staircase.

Solar panels – a slow burn

While solar panels may be environmentally friendly, it’s very much a slow burn in terms of getting value from them.

They cost £4,000 to install and only increase a property’s value by £1,172, or 0.5%,

Therefore savings with solar panels are generally limited to lowering your electricity bills.

Landscaped gardens – a negligible difference

Landscaping your garden makes little difference to the value of your home.

It only increases the value by £3,281 but the landscaping costs £3,000 – so you only gain £281.

Founder and CEO of HaMuch.com, Tarquin Purdie, commented:

“Revamping your property is a viable alternative to moving to a bigger home and you don’t have to worry about associated costs above and beyond the price of a job while moving will include other costs such as stamp duty.

Improving your home can also help increase its value in the event that you are looking to sell and adding a conservatory is the most cost-effective way of increasing your property’s value.

However, not every improvement will add value so it’s worth researching first, although if you want to make a guaranteed difference to your home’s value, a loft conversion is the way to go despite the high up-front costs.

Solar panels are the only improvement where you lose money in terms of adding immediate value, but if you aren’t looking to sell, you should be able to profit from lower electricity bills on a longer-term basis, and that’s not to mention the obvious environmental benefits.”

Renovation / improvement Added value (%) Estimated average cost UK Average House Price Added value (£) Difference (Added value – cost)
Conservatory

6.0%

£6,675

£234,370

£14,062

£7,387
Kitchen

5.5%

£8,000

£234,370

£12,890

£4,890
All over re-decoration

3.1%

£2,500

£234,370

£7,265

£4,765
Loft conversion

10.8%

£21,000

£234,370

£25,312

£4,312
Boiler / central heating

1.9%

£2,375

£234,370

£4,453

£2,078
Roof

3.1%

£5,750

£234,370

£7,265

£1,515
Bathroom

2.6%

£4,625

£234,370

£6,094

£1,469
Double glazing

3.0%

£6,250

£234,370

£7,031

£781
Landscaped Garden

1.4%

£3,000

£234,370

£3,281

£281
Fitting solar panels

0.5%

£4,000

£234,370

£1,172

-£2,828

Founder and CEO of HaMuch.com, Tarquin Purdie, commented:
Notes to editors: –

  1. Data source for average costs: HaMuch database and the Land Registry.
  2. HaMuch was founded since 2015.
  3. Tarquin Purdie has over two decades of experience working within the trade sector.
  4. Tarquin has been involved, owned and ran a number of businesses across property ownership, plumbing and heating and continues to do so today.
  5. HaMuch is the tradesperson comparison site that finds the best value trades people – based on price and transparency.

Banish Builder cash-in-hand payments for trades

2nd January 2019
money
  •  HaMuch.com announce New Year’s resolution is no more cash-in-hand for builders
  • Portable card machines have revolutionised payment for tradespeople
  • Does away with the industry’s reputation for tax-dodging

Building work pricing website HaMuch.com is set to put a cat among the building site pigeons by calling time on cash-in-hand payments for plumbers, electricians and bricklayers alike. 

The bundle of used notes was once standard payment for tradesmen, but the website’s founder Tarquin Purdie believes that abandoning cash payments for 2019 will allow builders to fully embrace the 21st century and rescue the industry’s reputation in one fell swoop. He is now calling for home-owners to reject calls for cash payment, even if that comes with a discount.

“It’s not hard to see why builders have traditionally dealt in cash,” says HaMuch.com Managing Director Tarquin Purdie. “They have to buy materials and pay sub-contractors and that was traditionally all done with cash. But now they buy on-account or with credit cards, and their sub-contractors or workers all have bank accounts. Many builders used cash work to stay under the VAT threshold – and I have some sympathy with that for the one-man business – but a good building business should be VAT registered nowadays, withthe accounting wherewithal to deal with that.”

Purdie points to the prevalence of iZettle and other portable card readers among many tradesmen, with modern technology also allowing them to scan receipts and manage their money far better than their forebears. Tradespeople may have been seen as luddites in the past, but they now receive work via smartphone apps, advertise on social media and use WhatsApp to send images to customers. 

“If they are offering you a substantial cash discount, then that is nothing to do with convenience or cashflow,” says Purdie. “HaMuch.com was founded to make pricing clear for customers and builders alike, but we understand some firms may offer a small discount to get the work. However, anyoneoffering as much 10% or 15% cash discount nowadays is asking you to be complicit in tax-avoidance. It is as simple as that. Ask your tradesman for their bank account details, or simply use their card reader.”

Purdie expects the growth of the ‘cashless society’ will see far fewer customers feeling the pressure to pay cash for the likes of plumbing, roofing, glazing or gardening work. Although he recognises that some tradesmen may be reluctant to let go of cash payments.

“There will always be a handful of builders who want to have that roll of fifties to pull out in the pub on a Friday night,” he says. “But more and more home-owners are joining up the dots between that cash discount and how the NHS or local services may miss out on the lost tax money.”

Upgrade Your House: Turn Your Garden Into a Mini Oasis

31st July 2018
garden mini oasis

Your garden is an extension of our living space and it’s a great way to add value to your property. You can turn your garden into a beautiful retreat and a place where you can truly enjoy spending time. That’s why you should consider converting your garden into your own mini oasis to really enjoy the outdoor space you have available.

Here are a few great ways you can turn your garden into an oasis:

  • Plant flowers and greenery. Be creative when you choose plants, especially when it comes to working out what needs the most sunlight. Find out about the maintenance that certain plants will require as you don’t want to spend too much time maintaining plants every day.

  • Add a pergola. A beautiful steel pergola is a great way to add a beautiful seating area and truly turn your garden into a peaceful space. Steel pergolas are strong and durable, and you can cover it in shade cloth to block out the sun during the day.

  • Be creative with the elements. You can add other elements and accessories such as stones, gravel, and even a beautiful water feature. This will make your outdoor space even more enjoyable and relaxed. You can convert your garden into a tranquil space by choosing just the right elements to use.

  • Add outdoor furniture. Another great way to turn your garden into a relaxing space is to add outdoor furniture. Choose durable furniture that will withstand the elements and that will look great for years to come.

Always try to have fun when converting your garden as it’s a personalised space that you can use just the way you want it. Best of all, when you do it right, you can add value to your property and create a space that the whole family will enjoy.

Work with a landscaper or garden expert to utilize the space you have, choose the right plants and greenery, and choose the best layout available. You can enjoy professional advice and a beautiful garden with quality workmanship. It’s definitely worth the investment.

If you want to convert your garden at home, visit HaMuch to find a garden expert in your area to help you turn your garden into a place you love.

Improve Your Property’s Curb Appeal: Improve Your Garden

31st July 2018
improve your garden

When it comes to your home’s garden, it’s always a good idea to make the most out of this space as it can significantly increase the value of your property. Not only can you choose a great layout for your garden but you can work with a professional to add features such as a shed, a secure fence, or even a gate.

With people in the U.K. spending almost 40 percent more time in their garden than five years ago, outdoor space is becoming more popular than ever. Improving your garden is a great way to add value to your home and improve curb appeal, and there are so many different features you can add to your garden, in addition to garden landscaping.

Here are a few ways you can improve your home’s garden:

  • Add a shed
  • Add quality paving
  • Install fencing or walls
  • Install proper lighting
  • Add a water feature
  • Install strong decking
  • Add artificial grass

Privacy and safety is among the top priorities for new home owners, which is why installing a fence or a wall is always a great benefit. You can work with a professional to assess your garden and see what you can do to improve its features. Also keep in mind that it’s not only the features that will increase curb appeal, but also the neatness and visual appeal.

With a well-maintained garden having the ability to add up to 20 percent more value to your property, you can benefit from working with a landscaper to see how you can improve your garden. Sheds are undoubtedly one of the most popular features, but as mentioned above, there are many things you can do to spice up your backyard.

You can also consider something more stylish, if your budget allows, such as an outdoor kitchen. People love spending time outdoors and with an outdoor kitchen they’ll have all the more reason to enjoy the space – not to mention the benefit to your selling price.

Working with an expert landscaper is the ideal way to ensure that you add value to your property. There are plenty features to add and a professional can help you choose the best layout and features for your specific home.

Hire a professional from HaMuch to improve your home’s garden and ensure that you add value and curb appeal to your property.

 

Prepare Your Home for Autumn: Repair Any Broken Fences or Gates

31st July 2018
Repair Fence

With the end of summer around the corner, you need to prepare your home for autumn and this means inspecting your yard for any repairs or maintenance that needs to be done. This includes inspecting your gates and fences, so that you can do gate repairs in time.

Inspecting Your Fence

inspecting your friend is extremely important, especially when it comes to signs of damage. You may have more trouble with the wooden fence then a vinyl fence, has would can show signs of rot due to somewhat painful. This is what is important to check out your fences before autumn comes so that you can do all the necessary repairs.

Be sure to get the help of a professional to check all the fence posts to ensure that they are structurally sound and that none of your boards are damaged or loose. If you only have one single damaged board, you can easily repair it; however, if you have more extensive damage, especially damage to the structure of the fence, call in an expert to repair the broken fence.

Signs of rot can include:

  • Boards that cave in
  • Gates that sag and don’t close properly
  • Posts that are loose

In addition to checking your gates and fences for damage, you should also make sure that it is ready for the winter snow. It should handle the moisture of the snow, which can damage wooden fences, in addition to the weight that it needs to be able to carry.

Keeping Leaves Away from Your Fence

One of the first chores should be raking leaves regularly. Be sure to rake the leaves close to your fence, especially when it rains so that it doesn’t collect any unnecessary moisture. When it starts snowing, rake as much snow as you can off your fence so that you remove any specific weight you can from your fence.

Work with a professional to keep your fence clean, inspect it for any damage, and do professional repairs when needed. This will give you the peace of mind needed to know that your home is ready for autumn and winter.

Visit HaMuch to find an expert in your area to help fix broken fences and ensure that your home is prepared for the colder winter months.

Make Home Safe: Improve Your Fence

31st July 2018
Security fence

There are many ways you can improve the security at your home and having a security fence installed is one of them. Installing a fence for your home can help to deter intruders and can act as a preventative solution.

Whether you have a small house or large business property, as secure and intimidating fence will immediately act as a significant crime deterrent. This will help to eliminate someone from vandalizing your property or committing theft. That’s why security fencing has become so popular among homeowners worldwide.

Choosing the right home fence can be challenging, as there are so many products available. That’s why you should work with a professional fencing expert to not only help you choose the right type of fence but also to ensure that it is installed properly.

Your security fence is often the first line of defence when it comes to your property, so it is extremely important to make the right selection. They are all different types of security fences available, including:

  • palisade fencing
  • mesh welded panels
  • mental fencing
  • access control
  • chain link fencing

Although mesh welded panels and palisade fencing may be the most effective choice in terms of a commercial property, when it comes to residential fencing, choices can include everything from decorative to intimidating options. Residential fences are both practical and made with style in mind, as the appearance is also very important to homeowners. You need to ensure that the appearance of your property and the surrounding area is not spoilt if you use the wrong fencing. Security fencing not only adds an overall image to your property but also gives you total peace of mind.

When you choose a fence for your home, choose one that is effective, secure, and well-designed. Carefully consider the different materials available and try to choose a design that will fit in perfectly with the rest of your property. Depending on where you live, you may need to choose a design that fits in with the surrounding properties as well, making it important to work with a fencing expert.

When it comes to installing a home fence, visit HaMuch to find a reliable and qualified gardeners and security expert in your area and make your home a safer place.

 

Summer Home Improvement: Building a Summer House

31st July 2018
Garden shed

Summer is not only the hottest of all the seasons but it is also a time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time at the beach and simply relax and unwind at home. For some homeowners, this is also the ideal time to build the perfect summer house to boost your property and make the summer so much more enjoyable.

As summertime approaches, there are many great ways to build a summer house and add a very enjoyable space to your property. Not all building projects require a lot of money so if you do it right, it can be a cost-effective way of getting a large summer house this summer. Then, of course, you have to choose the right products and an experienced builder, especially if you have a limited budget.

Here are a few great benefits of building your own summer house:

  • Outdoor dining. With a summer house you can enjoy summer dining in your own backyard. It’s perfect for larger families too, as you’ll be able to spend time together in a great setting that is still close to home.

  • A hobby Room. Many home owners use their summer houses as a place to enjoy their favourite hobby. Whether it’s embroidery, sculpting or building, a summer house offers you the perfect space to enjoy your own hobby.

  • A home office. Not all summer houses should be simply for relaxing; you can also use your summer house as a home office to extend the functionality of your home. This will also save money as you don’t have to rent additional office space.

  • Entertainment area. Having a summer house built is a great way to entertain family and friends right at home. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard and entertain in your own space, without having to use your main house.  

  • Space for the kids. A summer house is perfect for the kids as it’s close to home but also separate and designed just the way you want. You can be creative and choose your own style, which will perfectly complement your home and extend it at the same time.

Whether you love contemporary summer houses or a modern, unique design, you can easily have your own summer house built in your own backyard and create a space to relax, unwind and even entertain your friends and family. You can also choose an insulated summer house so that you know your house will have the perfect temperature all year round.

If you want expert help with building your summer house, you can find a highly experienced local builder from HaMuch to help you design and build the perfect summer home.

 

SUMMER HOME IMPROVEMENT: DRIVEWAY REPAIRS

31st July 2018
Driveway Maintenance

If you own a summer home, you’ll know that your driveway will likely develop a few cracks in the concrete during its lifetime. These cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil movement and tree roots. When it comes to driveway crack repair you don’t have to break the slab and pour a brand new one, you can simply hire a technician to repair it.

Preparing the Surface

When your tradesman starts the driveway resurfacing, preparation is essential. He will start by using a pressure washer to clean the surface properly. This will remove any dirt, mold and mildew. He can potentially add a cleaning solution to the pressure washer’s reservoir to spray on the surface. Once the washing is done, a high-pressure nozzle is attached to ensure you clean the whole slab, including every crack, to remove all the dirt.

Filling the Cracks

Next, the technician will need to mix your concrete, making sure it has a thick consistency. He will pour it onto the concrete and use a flat edge trowel to force the mixture into the cracks. It’s important to ensure that it’s smooth and allow to dry overnight. Now it’s ready for a thin layer of driveway sealer that it will be applied with a rubber squeegee. This is a great driveway repair method for concrete surfaces.

The driveway will be ready for foot traffic after 24 hours.

Repairing an Asphalt Driveway

If your home has an asphalt driveway, you can easily get a professional for high quality asphalt driveway repair. Common problems include potholes and cracks, which are commonly known as spider web cracks or alligator cracks. You may also have an area in the asphalt that has sunk in the ground, commonly referred to as a sink hole.

Preparing for asphalt driveway maintenance starts with preparing the surface. Thoroughly cleaning the driveway from dirt and dust, either using a stiff bristled broom or a high-pressure washer. You tradesman will potentially also use a backpack leaf blower. Also he will remove any vegetation.

In order to’ repair potholes you’ll need new asphalt and a pothole tamper. You can cover a 30cm x 30 cm hole with around 4.5 kg of asphalt repair aggregate and your tradesman is the best person to give you advice on this based on their experience. The first thing he will check for is whether the whole goes down past the asphalt itself. If it does, he will fill the hole with sand first.

Next, he’ll heat up the asphalt around the pothole with a flame torch to help the aggregate bond with the existing asphalt. After pouring the aggregate into the hole; if it overfills a bit, he will use a flat head shovel or garden rake to level it out. Once the hole is filled, the pothole tamper is used to pound and flatten the asphalt.  

Filling Asphalt Cracks

To repair cracks in an asphalt driveway, you need patch material, a sealcoat sealer and a squeegee. Your technician will pour the patch material into the repair area, using the squeegee to spread the material out evenly.

Repairing your driveway is easy if you can get a professional to take care of all your driveway maintenance as they know how to use the right techniques and materials. With this maintenance you will ensure that your driveway and your house as an extension will look as good as new, all year round.

To find a qualified tradesmen near you, visit HaMuch online and choose a professional to take care of your driveway maintenance and driveway crack repair.