5 Renovations Ideas That Can Immediately Boost Your House Value

​It's always good to know which home improvement makes the most difference to the value of your home, especially if you are working with a limited budget or timeframe.

Whether you are looking to renovate for more comfort or to sell and make a profit, it’s always good to think about which home improvement adds the most value to your property, as some can make a significant difference, while others, not so much.

​This week we share some of the top renovation ideas we've encountered that we know can maximize the increase of your property value.

Adding Extra Rooms

Adding extra bedrooms or living area can be a great way to dramatically increase your property value. These rooms don’t require as much plumbing or electrical work, so they are usually more affordable to renovate than the kitchen and bathrooms.

Depending on the house, there are different ways to create extra rooms. For example, you could create an extra bedroom or study from a large dining or living space. If you have a large basement or garage, you could potentially transform it into a secondary living space, that man-cave you or your partner has been dreaming about, or even an additional bedroom. Sometime if you have a big back or front-yard, extra rooms can be added through house extensions, which is slightly more complex, as it changes the footprint of the house. But if you have a clear vision of what you are wanting to achieve, this may be the way to go.

​We recommend talking to a builder, architect or draftsman first to discuss your options and pricings earlier on.

Redoing the kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the property that can make or break a sale. A modern, clean, functional kitchen with adequate storage space will attract more interested buyers, so consider a kitchen renovation if your kitchen is looking quite worn, or you know it has been more than a decade since you or the previous owner has done it! Although it is usually more costly to renovate this space (due to the complication of work involved), you may be able to refresh the look just by doing minor changes like repainting the cabinets, changing the handles or bench top. Be careful, It’s easy to overcapitalise when you’re doing major renovations in the kitchen. Often, the simplest changes are the most effective, and least costly. Talk to your builder first about the scope and budget, so they can come up with the most cost-effective plan for you.

Update your bathroom

​Bathrooms is another key area that will increase the value of your home. New bathrooms give your home an instant "wow-factor" when prospect buyers come for a viewing. The appeal comes from the fact that your bathroom renovation means that they don't have to worry about it, nor do they have to spend any more money renovating the space on top of the house sale price. Imagine going to an open home and seeing a bathroom covered in grime, mould, leaky fittings and broken tiles. A freshly renovated bathroom is one of the highest selling factors for buyers across any demographic - especially those with young children. 

​Like the kitchen you may not need to update the whole bathroom, which can be quite expensive! Minor renovations such as changing the towel rails, vanity or toilet, or fixing broken tiles can give your bathroom a whole new modern look.

​Give it a new colour

A new coat of paint for the exterior/ interior is a simple and cost-effective way to completely transform your home renovation. It can be a bit daunting when choosing for the right colour scheme. The good news is there are plenty of resources out there to help you make this decision. We recommend starting with online resources from paint providers like Dulux and Resene, to get design inspirations, see colour recommendations for different areas, an to understand the process of a paint job. It’s also a good idea to visit local hardware stores to talk to paint experts - they are likely to have done many DIY jobs themselves, and will have plenty of handy tips to help you along the way. Don't forget to grab free colour samples or buy small sample test pots to test your colour choices in real life - what you see in colour charts is often very different when seen in real natural lighting, or applied to a large wall.

If you’re painting to sell, always remember neutral colours appeal to buyers more than vibrant colours, so try stick to popular exterior/ interior schemes. For example, a white or off-white colour is a safe choice for interior walls as it gives it a fresh, clean, modern look and it can be easily covered if the buyer chooses to paint the wall another colour.

Create the illusion of 'more space' by building a deck or patio

​Kiwis love ample outdoor space to spend time with family and friends over summer. Building a deck or a new patio is perhaps one of the most overlooked house renovation tricks you can do to add extra value to your home. If you want to attract more buyers with families, consider expanding your home’s outdoor useable space so it’s big enough to fit a BBQ and/or outdoor furniture. This will make your house feel more spacious, as there is a lot more usable outdoor space. Potential buyers will feel more secure buying a property from previous owners who deem themselves "house-proud" and place importance in not only the inside of the house, but also the outside.

Thinking about renovating?

Before undertaking any house renovation project, it’s important think about the scope of work, timeframe and your budget. If you’re renovating to sell, you may also want to think about whether the change will appeal to the crowd likely to buy or live in the area. For example, extra rooms appeal more to buyers with growing families compare to first home buyers. You can find out more about local demographics and sell prices by going to open homes and speaking to local real estate agents.

​Renovation can be stressful business for home owners, but it doesn’t have to be. Having a realistic plan, a good dose of common sense, and finding reliable and professional tradespeople is key. Builders at Quinlan Quality Homes are qualified and highly experienced in home renovations, alteration and house extension. From our experience with hundreds of previous renovation projects and a 10- year guarantee, you can count on us to provide reliable advice and solid quality work.

We provide free design / build consultations, so talk to us today to get started.

Let us assist you and take the stress out of your home renovation!
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TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR NEXT RENOVATION TODAY