Cost Benefit of Home Improvements

When homeowners are looking to undertake works on their properties they always ask how much it will cost. Just as important is how much value will it create.
Here is a quick summary as reported in the Financial Times July 16, 2011.

Loft Cost £30-50k Value £60-70k
New Bathroom Cost £3-5k Value £4-7k
New Garden Room Cost £10-20k Value £20-30k
New Kitchen Cost Cost £20-30k Value £25-30k
Kitchen Extension Cost £30-50k Value £75-100k
New Kitchen Cost £20-30k Value £25-30k

So the biggest winners are if you actually add space, ie the rear extension and loft, which seems to have a value of twice what you spend.
The surprise is the garden room. These can be achieved under permitted development, so you can just do it. These rooms become hobby rooms, play rooms or just storage to free your house from clutter. For any further advice on the above, call Gordon 02089546291 ge@yooparchitects.co.uk

Homeowners turn to Improvements (click me)

Unable to move house, homeowners are turning to improvement projects as the next best alternative.

Despite interest rates falling and further rate cuts expected, moving house remains an rare event in current times. House prices have fallen a long way over the past year and opinion indicates that further reductions are very likely. That, combined with the reduced availability of mortgages, the fear of higher unemployment and of course the high costs with moving home have caused many people to pick the option of home improvement as a more savory alternative.

For full story hit title link above

source:Copyright ©2008 www.improve-your-home.co.uk

18.8% drop in planning applications

A survey across 65 planning authorities reveals the drop. Bucking the trend is Watford with a rise of 1%! This reinforces YOOP architects premise of 'don't move improve'
source : inside housing , 27 Feb 2009