Now, before we go any further, not every example below will work for your home. Plenty of small fixes or larger projects could work depending on your budget, the property you own, and where you plan to carry out work. We recommend doing your research, getting quotes, and speaking to property professionals for specific ideas for your home.
With that said, join us as we look at some of the best ways you can improve your kerb appeal and make a great first impression with prospective buyers.
How important is kerb appeal?
As stated above, first impressions matter. A survey of 2,000 UK residents was asked about how much kerb appeal impacts their decision to buy and the results were surprising.
An overwhelming majority, 93% of respondents, judge a home based purely on the exterior appearance while 30% of respondents were happy to pay an extra £5,000 or more for a home with a well-maintained exterior.
This way of thinking is human nature and one that you should consider, whether upgrading for sale or just to add value to your living conditions.
Great home improvements for UK homes
There are several ways to add valuable improvements to UK homes. Larger projects such as a kitchen update, a loft or garage conversion, or adding skylights to your home are often guaranteed to raise your property value while smaller projects such as tidying the garden or giving walls, windows, or doors a fresh coat of paint can add value if done right.
Skylights and roof lanterns
Skylights and roof lanterns can flood rooms with light, provide a feeling of space, and can be beneficial to both your heating bill and your health. These investments can also help kerb appeal if strategically placed and wow visitors as they approach and enter your home.
For example, a skylight in your front room, bathing the foyer in light creates an inviting space for visitors to enter your home. Similarly, adding a rooflight to an existing extension, such as a flat roof extension with a kitchen, allows for a more modern, open-plan feeling that connects your kitchen and living space to the garden, making the space feel bigger while providing a unique feature that is sure to have visitors remembering your home.
This addition also addresses some of a potential buyer’s main concerns with a recent survey from the HOA finding that 71% of homeowners view ‘Windows in good condition’ as important and ‘A well-lit house’ scoring 26% for importance.
Updated windows
Another way to increase your kerb appeal is to check your windows and make sure they are in good condition. This can be as simple as repainting the frames or could be a case of replacing tired frames and glass with more energy-efficient models. By doing so, you can add to the value of your property, reinforce or even improve the efficiency rating, and make your home a warm and inviting space to live.
It’s best to consult an expert if you want to go down this route as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) warn that ‘repairing and redecorating wooden windows that have not been touched for a decade would be between £1,000 and £2,000.’
This change, along with skylights and electric lights can improve the light in your home and make sure it provides a great first impression. Just be sure to consider the costs and potential benefits before committing to any major work.
Robust roofing
Next on the list is your roof. This is structurally one of the most critical parts of your home and is a point of focus for anyone seeing it for the first time. By maintaining your roof and inspecting your guttering you can add to your kerb appeal and ensure that your home wows from the off.
In fact, the same HOA survey ranks these factors highly with 68% of respondents believing ‘A roof that appears in good condition’ is important in a purchasing decision. Similarly, clear-functioning gutters scored 50% and can be a cheaper way of tidying up your home.
A tidy entrance
Next, is the entrance to your home. This includes your front door, front garden, and any garden or walls/fences. These areas are all key to kerb appeal with well-maintained pathways/drives (59%), and tidy front garden (67%), a well-decorated exterior (54%) and a well-maintained and attractive front door (52%), all featuring in the top 10.
These areas can be repaired or upgraded relatively cheaply and quickly so casting a critical eye over the entrance to your home can be a useful way to ensure you have the maximum kerb appeal.
We recommend taking your time and making a note of all the areas that can be improved. When you do this just remember that the big things as well as the little things are important, with some people even being influenced by whether or not wheelie bins are visible from the street.
Home additions
Last but not least, there are some surefire ways to add to your kerb appeal and overall value of your home. These home additions can be more expensive at the front end, but if chosen well, can pay off in the long run.
These include adding off-street parking if you don’t have it, converting any available spaces into more rooms, opening up rooms for a more modern open plan feel, or updating problem areas like dated kitchens or bathrooms. How much these changes can add to your home will vary so it’s worth asking an expert before deciding on any work but Zoopla’s research has shown that changes such as those mentioned above can improve home values by as much as 15%.
Work with the experts today
As you can see, every home will have its issues or opportunities. However, one thing for certain is that introducing light and space into your home is always a winner. At Roof Maker, we have years of experience doing exactly that, turning houses into homes by providing stunning sky lanterns and roof lights.
If you’re interested in finding out more about what we can do for your home contact our team today or take a look at our products and discover new ways to improve your kerb appeal and home life.