Public Servant Lifestyle

Nearly one in five of us would buy a new kitchen if given £5,000 to spend on improvements to our homes, says the latest research. Coming in second was decorating, while the third choice was to improve the home with some new furniture.

Savings for Big Spenders

Almost half of people surveyed use their savings to fund DIY projects. However, 25% of people still prefer to use a personal loan or credit card to fund their DIY.

What’s Your DIY Age?

DIY priorities change with age, according to the survey, carried out by Woolwich DIY. While the younger age groups rated a new kitchen as their top priority, those aged 65 plus preferred to spend on decorating and the garden

Midlands Breaks the Rules

While a new kitchen came top throughout the nation, there was one exception. People in the Midlands said that if they had £5,000 to spend on the home they would spend it on decorating.

The 'Added Value' Factor

DIY enthusiasts and homeowners who want to boost the value of their homes should consider what improvements will add real value before embarking on any projects, advises the survey findings. The table below shows ten jobs that give the best return on the investment. The higher the 'value factor' the better the return.

- Central Heating 10/10

Radiators and boilers are warm favourites. The best boilers to install are the energy efficient, gas condensing type which use 20 to 40% less energy. Central heating is virtually essential these days. You may get a chilly reaction from house hunters if your home doesn’t have it when you want to sell.

- Kitchen 7/10

Pick the best kitchen you can afford, while keeping your outlay in proportion to your home’s value – installing an expensive designer kitchen in a standard semi or terrace could prove to be a waste of money

- Bathroom 7/10

Improvements to your bathroom are still a popular choice. Novel features such as corner baths, sunken basins and whirlpools are still popular. If you have a large family, think about installing a second bathroom, provided the money and space are available.

- Insulation 7/10

If your home is not insulated, up to 75% of the heat you buy could seep out without warming the place at all. Half of all homes have less than the recommended six inches of loft lagging, three quarters are inadequately draught-proofed and cavity walls installed in only one out of five dwellings. Roof lagging soon pays for itself in lower fuel bills. Consider buying a jacket for a hot and cold water tank, lagging exposed pipes, fitting draught excluders to letterboxes and keyholes and installing a secondary glazing system.

- Extension 6/10

Your home’s value depends more on the neighbourhood than your efforts at DIY, so building an extension resembling a stately home may not add significant value to your home. They can provide much needed space for a growing family, but make sure your extension doesn’t clash with your home’s scale or appearance. If it’s an ambitious project, consider using a qualified surveyor to manage it for you.

- Decorating 6/10

This is one of the easier DIY jobs to undertake and its results offer more satisfaction. If you’re decorating before putting a house on the market, go for simple approaches and neutral colours.

- New Windows 5/10

Double-glazing provides extra insulation, which helps cut fuel bills. An added bonus is that the frames don’t rust, rot or need painting. Make sure that the new windows you install suit your property. Always have at least one window on the first floor which opens wide enough for you to escape in the event of fire.

- Conservatory 5/10

You don’t need building regulations approval if your conservatory will occupy less than 30 square metres, but planning permission may be needed, so always check. Also, ensure it doesn’t impose too much on your garden space.

- In the Garden 4/10

Buyers go for neat, well maintained gardens, which they can change easily when they move in, rather than those which are elaborate or landscaped. If your garden is particularly picturesque, try to wait until it’s in full bloom before putting your home on the market. When buying a property, remember you could have a problem with moisture if the garden drains towards the house or its level rises above that of the damp proof course. Security does matter, and floodlighting can be an effective deterrent. It often looks good – but make sure it won’t annoy the neighbours.

- Loft Conversion 4/10

It needs careful planning or you could be paying a high price for a job which creates an odd-looking room that’s hot in summer, cold in winter and which is often at the top of a steep and narrow staircase. If the job’s done badly, it will decrease your selling price – and some conversions can look ugly. Even if it goes well, don’t expect to get anything like the cost of it back when you sell – these alterations are not popular selling points.

To read more about contemporary kitchen ideas, click here.

More information available in Ideas, Your Home, Home Improvement, DIY, Living Space