Three home improvement specialists weigh-in with five ways to improve home evaluations

There are plenty of reasons why homeowners choose to renovate their properties – whether it’s to update homes with modern-day amenities, to restore the original charm of older properties, or a need to make sure they’ll get the most out of their property when it goes up for sale!

Some renovations are more valuable than others, however, so it’s important to make sure you aren’t investing in an improvement that only the new owners will see the benefit of.

To work out the most impactful renovations you can make to your home, we spoke to three experienced home improvement specialists for their advice.

All price elevations are calculated based on the average England property price according to the ONS, which as of February 2025 (most recent data), is £292,000.

5. Spot renovations (£9,000)

Buyers, especially those interested in older properties (50+ years), don’t expect a turnkey property – but they do expect everything to be in working order, especially when it comes to draughts, surfaces, doorways and windows.

Aim for low-cost fixes that breathe new life into homes and save buyers a job, like re-caulking the bath and emulsifying walls. These make the property far more attractive to a prospective buyer at first glance.

Fixing up the bathroom – especially when it comes to improving your grouting, tiling, and mould – can have an incredible effect on your property value, as Josh Jinks, Brand Manager at UltraTile, explains:

“76% of bathroom renovation specialists agree that proper tiling adds the most value to a bathroom. It’s easy to see why, as it’s not only an aesthetic enhancement, but a hygiene and structural enhancement too.

“Prospective homeowners don’t want to feel like they might have to deal with damp or failed grouting – left unattended, that can create a much bigger job further down the line, so using reliable waterproofing and tanking kits will be vital.

“Taking care of the little details will also have a huge impact on the value you add – matching the colour of your grout to your tiles is one of those little flourishes that can make all the difference.”

Basic, spot renovations can add up to 3.1% sale value on a property, which works out at £9,052 for the average-priced home – but a properly renovated bathroom will add to this dramatically, depending on the scale of the renovation.

4. Boost kerb appeal (£14,600)

Cleaning and repairing the exterior of your home is crucial for a quick, high-value sale – especially in the modern-day housing market dominated by online viewings and ‘clickable’ first impressions.

Your home’s façade is its moneymaker, and that’s why you should pay attention to any brickwork, stone, re-pointing of mortar, and woodwork restoration – not to mention – a thorough cleaning of any windows.

“Timber windows, most noticeable in older properties, are particularly prone to weather damage over time and will be in dire need of cleaning, glazing and or repainting,” says Kevin Brown, aluminium windows renovation specialist from The Heritage Window Company.

“Don’t forget the driveway, either. Block paving in driveways will likely require a good pressure wash, cleaning away the moss, algae and grime build-up of the past few years. The results will blow you away, effectively revitalising the entirety of your property’s entrance.”

In total, a well-maintained property exterior can add 5-7% value to a home, resulting in a minimum average of £14,600 value-added.

3. Increase bedroom storage (£29,200)

Improved storage space, and bedroom storage in particular, can add significant value to your home – as Greg Carlisle from The Sliding Door Wardrobe Company explains:

“Turnkey properties have such an incredible appeal because they come with the expected benefits of a modern-day home – clever storage solutions are becoming the norm,” says Greg.

“Fitted bedroom wardrobes can increase property value by 10%, as well as help to sell a property quicker once it reaches market. If you go into any newbuild property in 2025, you’ll find some sort of fitted storage solution, whether that’s a walk-in wardrobe, understairs storage or integrated cupboards – and this added value is exactly why.”

With a potential added value of up to 10%, you can expect fitted bedroom storage to add up to £29,200 to your home.

2. Improve your EPC rating (£8760–£57,232)

Improving the energy efficiency certificate attributed to your home will likely be your most costly investment, but with potentially the largest ROI when it comes to selling your property.

Improving your EPC rating could include fitting double-glazing (or secondary glazing for older properties affected by planning permission), updating your internal doors, draught-proofing the loft, or upgrading to a more efficient boiler – all of which boost value respectively.

“Secondary-glazing is a fantastic option for those with older windows that are struggling to fit double-glazing due to pesky planning permission – I see this all the time when renovating sash windows in Victorian and Georgian homes,” says Kevin.

“Alternatively, for a very quick fix to make your home feel warmer during viewings, you can purchase self-adhesive weather strips and use silicone sealant to fill frame gaps. However, the big value-added will come from replacing lower energy-rated windows with superior frames and glazing,” Kevin continues.

“Upgrading your property from a D to a C rating costs £5,500 on average, resulting in added value of 3% or £8760. A more dramatic upgrade, from G to C for example, can see increased value as high as 19.6% or £57,232.”

1. Improve your garden (£58,000+)

Gardens add incredible value to your home, and while you can’t control its size or orientation (south-facing gardens tend to add value), you can add value by making substantial, but relatively low-cost changes – as Chris Cooper, lawn specialist at Hayter, explains:

“A well-maintained and landscaped garden can add up to 20% to your home, dramatically improving the final evaluation. To achieve a well-sculpted look quickly, you must start by making sure your lawn is neatly cut, weeded and well-presented with a planted border.

“Make sure you leave a minimum of one-third of your grass height to keep the lawn healthy, and in summer, make sure to mow every 1-1.5 weeks if the weather is especially warm,” Chris explains.

Garden additions can also add significant value, including a garden office (7.55%), annexe (20-30%), sheds (5-10%) and more!

In total, an average-priced property with a well-maintained garden can add up to £58,000, before factoring in garden buildings.

Will you be making any of these changes before you put your home up for sale? If so, you could be adding incredible value come the final evaluation.