Improving appearance of property 'can add value'

Posted: 10 Nov 2009 12:24:38 GMT

Consumers can add around three to five per cent to the value of a property in a stable market just by improving its appearance, it has been suggested.

According to home improvement expert Michael Holmes, who presents Five's I Own Britain's Best Home programme and is editor-in-chief of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and Real Homes Magazine, decorating the interior can help with this target.

However, he claims that the first issue to consider when looking to add value to a property is working out what essential repairs need attention.

Explaining further, Mr Holmes said: "Things like adding central heating, solving damp problems, fixing the roof, getting the plumbing up to scratch, making sure the building is warm, weather-tight, free of damp and rewired."

Such improvements will always pay the homeowner back more than they originally cost, he added.

Lloyds TSB Insurance recently published research that suggested the most common DIY construction projects in the home involve building conservatories, demolishing dividing walls and converting lofts.


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