Home Improvement Guide

Householders planning to move should choose home improvement projects with care.

Graham Wood, general manager at Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, says; "Not all home improvements are an investment - you certainly won't get your money back on everything you do.
"Putting gold plated taps in the bathroom won't add a penny.
"The best house in an average street is often the most difficult to sell - its price can be held back by the other properties.
"If you extend a three bedroom semi to a five bed semi, people probably won't queue to buy it - they might prefer to spend the extra money on a detached property in a better area."

Elkins Surveyors has come across some unusual home improvements, including a toilet in a conservatory and another in the middle of a bedroom. Its experts have helped Financial Mail to chart improvements that should prove best value.

The cashback rating indicates the percentage of the cost likely to be recouped in a higher selling price. Figures will vary with location and quality of work.

Loft Conversion
Cashback Rating: 30%
Should be handled by professionals because of the many other aspects to be considered, including fire precautions, insulation and finding space for an extra staircase. Costs start about £7000, most of which you will not recoup, but it can provide vital extra space. Check if planning permission is needed.

Gardens
Cashback Rating: 40%
Most homebuyers are interested in a neat, well tended garden rather than an over-elaborate one. Money spent on gardens and pools should be viewed for pleasure rather than adding to the value. A pool outside an average house can even detract from its value.

New Conservatory
Cashback Rating: 85%
Adding a conservatory to your home can be a very cost-effective, allowing you to recoup about 85% of its cost. The addition of a conservatory to your house enables you to have an attractive new living space, and allows excellent views across your garden.

Insulation
Cashback Rating: 50%
In an insulated property, about 75% of heat seeps out, so insulation can cut running costs. Buy a jacket for the hot and cold water tanks, lag exposed pipes and fit draught excluders to letterboxes. The cost of cavity wall insulation is likely to be recovered over seven years in lower heating bills.

New Bathroom
Cashback Rating: 60%
Slashing out too much on a new bathroom could be a waste of money. However, there is value in updating old fittings and adding a shower. Additional bathrooms, spas and whirlpools are ways to pamper yourself while still adding something to the value of your home.

New Kitchen
Cashback Rating: 80%
We sink around £800 million a year into modernising kitchens, it pays to go for quality but keep spending in proportion to your home's overall value. Go for the best you can afford it will serve you well.

New Windows
Cashback Rating: 60%
One in five windows in homes are now double-glazed, which can cut fuel bills. Replacing rusting or rotten frames makes sense but the frames and style of the windows should be in keeping. Planning permission is needed only if the house is listed or in a conservation area. Some insurers, including Eagle Star, offer cheaper cover to double glazed homes.

Home Security
Cashback Rating: 50%
Security is now a major consideration for most home owners. More than £200 million a year is spent on alarms and £100 million on locks. Insurance discounts may offset some of the cost. Smoke alarms are also worth considering.

Central Heating
Cashback Rating: 100%
This is likely to prove the most cost-advantageous improvement, homes are hard to sell without it. The average cost for a three bedroom semi is likely to be about £2500. Modern boilers also have energy saving qualities that can cut bills.