If You Had 5-6K to Spend on Your House What Would You Do?

[ZaraW]

I have a three bed Victorian terrace which is well maintained and at the moment needs no major maintenance.

If you had £5,000 to £6,000 what home improvements would you make, ideally to increase the value of the property.

At the moment I am thinking of getting a new marble or limestone Victorian style fireplace put in the living room with insert and gas fire, adding fire surround to the dining room which was ripped out by previous owners and maybe wooden shutters to the living room. I have laminate flooring in the kitchen and dining room which was there when I bought the house it looks fine but at some stage I will replace this with reclaimed floor boards.

Any other ideas would be great.

TIA

[wowfudge]

I don't think any of those things would increase the value - cosmetic stuff rarely does as it is a matter of personal taste.

Increasing the footprint or usable space would be a better use of the money if you want to increase the value. Energy saving work such as installing double glazing, cavity wall insulation (not applicable in a Victorian house), loft insulation, replacing an old I insulated roof, updating an aged boiler and installing a thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves can all help with this.

If you have an avocado bathroom suite or dated kitchen them updating will make the property more saleable.

[wowfudge]

That should read uninsulated roof

[ZaraW]

wowfudge thanks, I can't increase the footprint all available space is fully utilised. The kitchen and bathroom are fine and wouldn't need replacing for at least another 10 years, double glazing was installed before I moved in the house and is only 5 years old. I had the house refurbished and the attic room was insulated and had a built in wardrobe fitted. There is a new boiler so really it is cosmetic stuff I am looking at.

I would pay slightly more for a house with a beautiful fireplace but as you say that is a personal choice. Wouldn't a real wood floor vs laminate increase the value?

[TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet]

Phil knows about these things
HQ disclaimers Other property gurus and indeed newspapers are available

[wowfudge]

Not if you had a buyer like me: I'd carpet it!

I'm not bring glib, but one man's meat, etc. I guess if you can restore original features it makes a place more saleable to someone who cares about those kinds of things, but don't expect to recoup your costs.

What about outside? A lovely garden can be a selling point and usable outside space is valued. Is your garden wall in good nick, do you have a decent gate, tiled path?

[Mrsteddyruxpin]

I would love a smeg fridge freezer and and a roll top bath and wood panelling



Though I would be the tempted and likely to overpay my mortgage tbh

[ZaraW]

TheOnlyOliva thanks some good suggestions I like the idea of a glass door.
Wowfudge front of house is well maintained brick and wrought iron wall, well paved and has slate chips which look nice. Back garden is size of a postage stamp and wouldn't cost much to do up. However, I am growing veggies in containers and that takes up a lot of the room. When I decide to sell I can remove and add shrubs etc.
Mrsteddy I'm lucky enough not to have a mortgage otherwise that is what I would do. I do like the idea of wood panelling though.

[bilbodog]

if you put in any fireplaces I would put in original Victorian ones, not new 'Victorian style' ones. That would appeal to people who like original features.

[Oakmaiden]

Thing is, I think the stuff you are talking about would improve saleability, but not actually add money.

I would suggest, since you do not seem to have a desire to sell in the particularly near future, that you do any renovations YOU would like for your house. So if you particularly desire a wood floor and authentic looking fireplace, then do it for your own pleasure, not for th increase it would bring in value. And if you are in fact happy as you are, then save your money for another day. Or go on holiday

[ZaraW]

bilbodog I think you are right an original is the way to go I will check out the reclamation yards in our area.
oakmaiden yes, that makes sense have something I love and enjoy whilst I live here (will be here for the next 5 years at least). I guess improving saleability is a plus even if it doesn't increase the value of the property.

OK so I am looking at panelling on the bathroom wall, glass door in the kitchen, reclaimed floor boards in the kitchen and dining room and finally original fireplace if I can get one from reclamation yard and possibly new front door.

Thanks!

[cunningplan101]

One small thing I did which made a big difference was to replace really ugly single panel 1980s radiators with 'school-house' style three-column radiators. I only intended to replace one, because I had to move the radiator to a different wall anyway. And then it made such a difference to the room, I went ahead and replaced all the others!

Obviously totally a matter of taste - some people will think a pretentious waste of money And I didn't go the full hog and buy expensive reclaimed cast iron ones - I bought new replicas ones which were pretty affordable; in total for four radiators, they cost around £1000k I think. I wasn't doing it really for 'authenticity' (as Victorians didn't have central heating anyway!) I did it because I just like the way they look. There are also attractive modern styles too. It just works wonders in turning something dull and practical into something that discretely enhances the overall feel of a room.

[dietcokeisgreat]

Low maintenance gardens that look neat but yet green really attract us.

Conservatory/ mini utility room somehow.

Add an ensuite to biggest bedroom.

Resurface dodgy parking area ( if you have one!)

These ideas might be too expensive or not possible - just brainstorming. Or do nothing and save the money til you decide!!

[peaz]

New windows and whatever it takes to improve the insulation.

Artificial grass in the back and a new driveway, and new flooring in the kitchen. And a new kitchen.

I suspect I need a bit more cash...