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Thinking of selling up and moving on? Property gurus Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp reveal the renovations that will get you the best returns for your efforts, whatever your budget

Boost the value of your home!

PAINT THE OUTSIDE

“It’s amazing what a lick of paint can do – both to kerb appeal and by making your home stand out on an estate agent’s website,” says Phil. “Keeping the outside of your home spick and span is key. The cost is between £100 and £1,000, but it could add £5,000 to the property’s value.” Also try to keep bins tidy, and neaten front hedges.

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN

“The kitchen is the most important room of the house. It needs to look attractive and have excellent storage and seamless access between the sink, fridge and cooker,” says Phil. “A new kitchen will add around 4.5 per cent to the value of your home.” Tiny budget? Clear worktops of clutter and buy a cheap trolley with shelves if needed. Paint cupboard doors and add a colourful backsplash for a modern edge.

CONSIDER A GARAGE CONVERSION

“If your garage is gathering clutter, stop wasting that asset,” says Phil. “A conversion will set you back around £10,000, but after calculating how much value you’ll accrue (by multiplying the footage gained by local price per sq foot), you might be surprised. Make sure the new room is properly linked to the main body of your house.”

INSTALL BI-FOLDING BACK DOORS

“Big families like eat-in kitchens with bi-fold doors opening on to the garden,” says Kirstie. “They can cost from £2,500, but on an average semi or detached house, can add about 10 per cent to the value.”

FINISH DIY PROJECTS

Look at your house through the buyer’s eyes. Kirstie says, “Don’t leave half-finished DIY jobs. Take a good look around. If people view your house when it’s scruffy, you’re knocking £5,000 off its value right there.”

BUILD UPWARDS

“Adding an extra bedroom and bathroom is one of the most effective ways to boost your property’s value,” says Phil. “The easiest way to achieve this is often a loft conversion. Ensure access to the loft is easy and that the conversion fits the rest of the house, rather than looking bolted on. Floor joists will also need strengthening, meaning the floor level will be raised, so make sure you leave enough ceiling height to stand up in. Done right, spending £20,000 on a loft conversion could add £40,000 to the value of your home.”

CREATE A PARKING SPACE

“If you’re in an urban area where parking is at a premium, add serious value by maximising exterior space,” says Phil. “As well as paving over your front garden to create a parking space, you will need to drop the kerb and are likely to need planning permission – but in a prime city area you could add £50,000 to your property’s value.”