As well as providing valuable extra living space, adding an extension to your home can potentially add significant value to a property. In uncertain economic times a well-designed extension can be a fantastic investment to maximise both the value and desirability of your home. How much could you gain and what are the top tips and tricks to get the most from your property? Let us talk you through it…

A well-built extension will add both space and functionality to your home. It is important to consider the quality of your proposed build, whilst a conservatory can add around 5% value this could increase to as much as 15% with an extension. Whilst a ground floor extension is not the most effective way to add square meters to your home (typically you can gain more from a loft conversion) kitchens are often a huge factor in a properties appeal. In fact, it is estimated that a modern kitchen offering ample space and polished finishing can add 4% to the overall value when selling.

Loft conversions are generally the best way to add bedrooms to a property. When doing this with the intention to sell it’s worth noting a balance needs to be achieved between the number of bedrooms and liveable space. In general, estimates suggest you can increase value by up to 21% with a loft conversion. Our team are always happy to talk project feasibility and the best way to get the most from your space, such as accounting for a growing home-based work force looking for potential home office space. It has been estimated that post pandemic, as working from home became the new normal for many, that a home office can increase a properties value by up to 10%.

When speaking with estate agents they recommend including additional bathrooms, rare on older properties but with the potential to add value in a modern market. An en-suite could add more than £14,000 on the value of the average London home, easily achievable when adding an l-shaped dormer which can also create two bedrooms. Extending and reconfiguring a ground floor to include a second family bathroom can add as much as £20,000 to your home and cater to those with accessibility needs not often met in homes.

Older homes seen in many boroughs of London can benefit massively from an overhaul in layout. With a skilled designer creating the much-desired modern open plan living style, you could be adding up to £48,000 to your property. Building work also offers you the opportunity to address any issues with the property such as limited light by adding additional windows and sought-after features like crittal doors and skylights.

We have had the pleasure of helping our clients maximise their properties, creating space for their growing families and investing in the profit they will see when selling. Look at this case study from 2019 –

Case Study – Ground Floor Extension and Loft Conversion in SW18

This property was bought for £825k in 2018. It was a 3-bed, 1-bathroom property on the Southfields grid in Wandsworth, and it did require modernisation throughout. The internal floor area was 100 SQM which is about 1100SQFT. We undertook a side return extension, an l-shaped dormer loft conversion and modernised the property throughout. We undertook additional structural works, including the removal of 3 full chimney stacks and a load bearing wall on the ground floor. We added a ground floor WC and removed a stud wall on the first floor which separated the bathroom and WC, creating one large family bathroom. The side return extension added 11SQM onto the property, and the loft conversion added two bedrooms and a bathroom, adding a massive 35SQM onto the property. This meant the added space was 46SQM, leaving the final SQFT at 1614 SQFT. The valuation taken after the works were complete valued the property at £1.15m. The homeowner added £325k of value onto this property.

The build was £140k with project management included that cost. Design fees were £5k and party wall and building control added another £4k. The kitchen was £20k and the window replacement was £20k. That brings a total of £189k, leaving a profit of £136k.

If you are thinking of extending to add space and value to your property, contact our team today on 0207 043 2378. We would be delighted to discuss your project in further detail and offer our expert advice. You can also book a free, no obligation telephone consultation via our online booking page here.