Expert shares 4 home improvements to add value to a property in 2025

Putting a home on the market is easier said than done (Image: Getty)

Hammonds Furniture have surveyed 2,000 UK adults to identify what the nation’s ‘most valuable’ features are when it comes to looking for a new property.

The research looked at what homeowners would currently be willing to spend on a wide variety of home improvement projects, in order to add value to their homes.

They also spoke with property and construction expert Thomas Goodman at MyJobQuote.co.uk, to see how much popular home upgrades should actually cost.

From the kitchen to the bedroom, many rooms require attention and some TLC to ensure buyers are interested.

Melissa Denham, interior design wxpert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture said: “Our survey shows that in many cases, money-conscious Brits estimate that home renovations would set them back more than what they actually cost which is good news for those looking to make changes.

“When looking to make home improvements, however big or small, it is important to ensure you get the most out of your investment by doing your research first.”

A new kitchen could add value to the property (Image: Getty)

Kitchens

The vast majority of Brits dream of a new kitchen, with over two in three (72 percent) saying they would be willing to spend some money to renovate theirs.

However, it turns out many greatly overestimate how much this work would set them back.

The average amount Brits are willing to pay for a new kitchen is £21,500. However, one in five (22 percent) say they would invest more than £35,000, and one in six (15 percent) would even pay more than £50,000.

A new kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank though. Goodman said that a basic small kitchen only costs around £2,500 to install while a large kitchen with more cabinets costing at least £6,000. Only top-of-the-range equipment should cost more than £10,000, he adds.

Goodman explained the cost for a new kitchen shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of the home’s value because they are unlikely to see a return on this investment if they sell.

With the average UK house price currently at £285,000, the average kitchen therefore should not cost more than £28,500.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms also ranked highly on home renovators’ priority lists, with 69 percent of survey respondents suggesting they would currently invest in this part of their house.

On average, they would put £18,750 towards bathroom improvements. However, Goodman advises the actual cost should be less than half of that.

Goodman said: “On average you can expect to pay around £4,000 for a new bathroom. If you go for a basic suite, this cost will be nearer £2,750 to £3,000. But if you’re going for a spa-like finish with luxury fittings, then you can easily pay over £7,000 for your bathroom.”

Bathrooms rank highly on the renovation priority list (Image: Getty)

Solar panels

Finally, solar panels are also gaining popularity across the country, with one in two now considering spending some money to get these fitted on their house (48 percent).

On average, they would budget just over £16,000 and 19 percent even said they’d be ready to invest more than £35,000. However, this much money is probably not needed.

Goodman advises the cost of solar panels will depend on the type. For example, 3kW monocrystalline panels are likely to cost between £5,000 and £6,000, while 5kW versions will be a little higher at around £7,500 to £9,000.

Polycrystalline panels are cheaper to buy, however they don’t work as efficiently, Goodman adds.

For those who don’t like the idea of panels sticking out from their roof, he says that solar tiles are another option at around £12,000. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of any roof repairs that need doing first.

Goodman shares the amount of money you save is slightly dependent on the number and type of panels you have and the kW of the system, and the amount of energy you use.

Typically, he says that you can save between £135 and £360 per year.

Windows and doors

More than half of Brits (60 percent) also think their house could also do with a new set of windows and doors.

On average, they are prepared to fork out over £17,500 for this upgrade. However, Goodman suggested they could get away with less.

“The average house tends to have between eight and 12 windows. So, installing triple glazing is likely to cost between £3,700 and £5,700,” Goodman said.

Triple glazing greatly increases your home’s thermal efficiency, making it feel warmer and reducing the need to keep the heating on. In a detached house with single glazed windows, upgrading to triple glazing could save you £235 on your energy bill.

He also advised there are a few things that will alter this price though, such as the material and colour of the frames, as well as how hard the windows are to reach.

With estimates for a new front door in the UK ranging between £1,245 - £4,000, homeowners should be able to save some money here when compared to their own predictions