Low Cost Home Makeovers - 11 handy tips. Number 7. Increase value.

I was recently invited to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham, to talk about home makeovers and how to keep costs down, whether you're selling your home or want to enjoy living in it. To follow is a summary of the suggestions I made, with lots of 'Before' and 'After' photos as illustrations.

INCREASE VALUE - how important is it that the makeover increases the value of your house? 
• This always needs to be considered, even if you don’t plan to move for a while. Unforseen circumstances could force you to sell your house unexpectedly, so to make changes to it that may devalue it can never be a good idea
If the makeover is for selling purposes...
• Every decision must increase the perceived value of the property - and preferably the actual value too

Before - a huge dining hall, interesting, but not in keeping with the rest of the house. No-one could imagine what to do with it if they bought the house. And it was situated next to a lovely dining room.

After - a welcoming living room that now added value to the house  

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Before - the vehicles were usually parked outside the living room window

Before - an increased perception of the size of the house added value instantly

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Before - even small jobs like cleaning mould and replacing sealant can increase the perceived value of the home

After - a cleaner appearance makes such a difference

Before - the budget for this room was limited, but we still decided the carpet had to go!

 

After - changing the carpet meant that the room didn't need decorating, and the only other cost was changing the curtains

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Next - SKILLS - what skills are you or your family able to use in a makeover and when should you call the professionals?