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How much value will my renovation add to my home?

With 30 years’ experience in home renovations, LMB Group share their insight on how to add the most value to your home.

Since March 2020 we have become acutely aware of the way we use our living space which has led to a boom in home renovation across the UK. Creating more space for multifunctional use has become priority for some, but many have focussed on zoning off the home office, gym or children’s playroom to create order and aid mental clarity. Having physical boundaries between our varied daily activities is now a key consideration as people plan to spend more time at home socially and to work from home more often ongoing.

In a post-covid era when many have disposable income set aside due to a year of less social spending, lack of holidays and no commute, it is no surprise that builders are busy extending and renovating homes for our new way of life.

Timing is everything in the property game, and with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry (and having been recently awarded as a Chartered Builder in 2021) LMB Group have set out their eight top ways to add value to your property.

Of course, these values cannot be guaranteed as so much will depend on the housing market factors when you come to sell, and each home and location is different. Nevertheless, here is how LMB Group think you can expect the most ‘bang for your buck’ when renovating you home.

1. Convert your garage to living space.

Potential Value Added: 15%

Is your garage currently being neglected? If it is not homing a car, tools, or anything of significance, it could make sense to convert this ‘place’ into some homely space. Your first step should be to check that your garage is suitable for conversion and whether you need planning permission. In many cases, the work involved in converting a garage will be classed as permitted development, so you will not need planning permission, but always check with your local planning authority.

A garage conversion is always subject to building regulations to ensure its structurally sound. You can use your local council’s building control service or an approved independent inspector, who will make several visits during the conversion to check that key areas (such as drainage, electrics, walls, and the roof) comply with regulations.

2. Extend the Kitchen.

Potential Value Added: 15%

A side return is a narrow alley that runs adjacent to the kitchen in a typical terraced or semi-detached house. Extending the kitchen into the side return and to the full width of the rest of the house means you gain valuable space and can also improve the layout. A single-storey side-return extension will usually be classed as a permitted development, provided you meet certain limits and conditions.

For example, it must be no more than 4m high and no wider than half the width of the original house. You will still have to comply with building regulations, and work will be inspected at key stages of the build, either by the local authority building department or by an approved independent inspector.

Once your extension is finished, and presuming it is deemed to comply with the regulations, you will be given a completion certificate. If you are thinking about a side-return extension, remember that you could lose windows and the light they would bring in. Roof lights over the extension will fix this, or you could install a partially or fully glazed roof to keep the space light and airy.

3. Loft Conversion to Add A Bedroom

Potential Value Added: 15%

An extra bedroom can add up to 15 per cent to the value of your home, especially if it is a loft conversion with an en suite bathroom. Once you start your planning, you will need to get to grips with the different types of conversion. Options range from a roof light conversion (which needs the least amount of structural work) and so is the most cost-effective, to a more expensive mansard conversion.

Mansard conversions generally need planning permission, but most loft conversions are considered a permitted development. Check with your local planning authority as there are some complex rules.

4. Cosy Up with A Pot of Tea in Your Brand-New Conservatory

Potential Value Added: up to 10%

Looking to release a wash of earthly and airy tones to your living space? Combine Spring with a conservatory- and cut to the chase… bringing the outdoors into your home, a fully glazed conservatory will merge the woodland to your interior and help you feel closer to nature. To get started, think how you want to use the space and whether a modern or traditional style will be best for your home and lifestyle. The biggest part of your conservatory will be the glass, so explore your options carefully. While double glazing is the minimum standard permitted by building regulations, there is a whole host of glazing options available, including solar control glass and self-cleaning glass. Again, think about which will suit your lifestyle and your home. There are also options to consider when it comes to the frame. The material you choose will directly affect the performance of the conservatory – uPVC, timber and aluminium frames all have different qualities, so do your research and ask experts for advice.

5.Garden Space

Potential Value Added: up to 10%

Garden space is limited in London, so if you’ve got it, make sure you’re making the most of it, especially when you’re planning to sell. A deck or patio can transform a garden into an entertaining space, and when designed as an additional room, a summer house can also add to the property value. First impressions are essential, so if you’re selling, give your home some kerb appeal by with a lick of paint, a new door and shining ironmongery. Tidy up the garden by mowing the lawn and sweeping up leaves.

6. Get a new Bathroom.

Potential Value Added: 3-5%

A new bathroom will certainly increase the value of your property – but it can be an expensive investment. Fortunately, it’s possible to make updates on a budget. To keep the price down, keep your existing layout. Moving sanitaryware might mean relocating soil pipes and water inlets, which will add to your costs.

Updating your shower enclosure? Framed enclosures tend to be cheaper than frameless models. Choose an exposed shower rather than a concealed model: these cost more to install because the pipes will need to be chased into the wall. Similarly, wall-hung sanitaryware is generally pricier than floor-mounted versions. This is because the cisterns and brackets will need to be concealed within the walls. Save even more money by choosing a bathroom suite rather than purchasing individual pieces. And finally, keep an eye out for seasonal sales.

7. Make the living area open plan.

Potential Value Added: 3 to 5%

Fed up with staring at that completely unnecessary wall? Knock it down and feel ten feet tall! With an open plan living arrangement, you can transform your home and save on the cost of an extension by knocking down the wall that separates your kitchen and living room, creating not only extra space in your home physically- but mental space emotionally! Yes, really- Studies have shown that there has been a huge trend for open plan living in recent years, but sometimes ‘broken plan’ – where the overall space is open but there are a few sub-divisions – can work better. This can be a DIY job or one for which you will need to call in the professionals: it all depends on whether the wall is load bearing. If it is, taking it down without professional help could prove disastrous. If knocking down an internal wall is not an option, you could consider a rear or side extension. Although this can be costly and time-consuming, it will give you exactly the space you want as well as adding potential value to your home.

8. Step into Spring with A Walk in Wardrobe

Potential Value Added: 15%

One of the biggest signs you’ve ‘made it’ in life – a walk in wardrobe has for centuries been every person’s dream. Turning your vision to fruition, it is time to bail on that single rail and join the race to expand your living space. At LMB Group, our stunning walk-in wardrobes are designed to maximise every inch of space and include a wide range of flexible storage solutions that cater to an abundance of needs.

Our curated gallery of designs features beautiful finishes, attractive accent pieces, practical lighting installations, and extensive closet organisation ideas. Find inspiration to maximise the potential of small hidden away bedroom closets and large dedicated dressing rooms alike, with ideas to fit all kinds of aesthetics, colour schemes, & budgets.

An aspirational addition to your home, (especially for one that is spacious) creating a well organised closet system will make you feel on top of the world this Summer, opening its doors to time perfectly to the ‘re-opening of the nation’.

LMB Group, London’s Family Run Premier Loft Conversion Specialists
020 8406 9907
enquiries@lmbgroupltd.co.uk