New Kitchen or Makeover

[snazzlealpaca]

I'm about to inherit a reasonable sum. Our kitchen is about 20 years old. I'd mentally ear marked some of the money for a new kitchen. However, we might move in about 2 years time. Is it worth doing?

The current kitchen is looking a bit tatty but is generally functional, although I find the layout annoying, with limited workspace, and I would like to add an island unit to increase this. I've had a few quotes, ranging from about £9k to replace the cupboard doors and worktop, replace the lighting and add the island unit, to £23k for a new kitchen from Magnet, or £25k plus for a bespoke kitchen.

I can't decide what to do! I don't love the doors available from the cupboard door replacement people, and from looking around, everywhere seems to have the same colours, e.g. shades of grey, white or blue. Any thoughts to help me decide?

You could get an estate agent’s opinion - whenever I’ve asked at valuation they’ve said a new kitchen doesn’t add any value to a property and buyers often want to rip out kitchens to do them to their own taste. So if you’re planning on moving in 2 years I wouldn’t bother - save your money for your new house.

I had a new kitchen last year and am hopefully moving soon
It was a huge hit with buyers ( I kept it deliberately neutral) and definitely helped to sell the house in a few days at £20k over asking price. It'safe its money back and more.
I've enjoyed it for a year and know what I want for the next house!

i wouldn't bother with a partial upgrade of just the cupboard doors. either do the full works on everything or save the cash for your new house in 2 years time.

I wouldn’t touch it. Some buyers may like it, to others it may put them off. I know when I’ve looked at places recently done up I’ve found myself mentally totting up how much I’m paying the seller for the new kitchen/bathroom/carpets/etc that I don’t really like and will have to ‘waste’ money changing. Rather do renovations myself

I think the market’s going to be a different world in two years time. Buyers aren’t going to have the money to rip out perfectly good kitchens and bathrooms because they don’t like them. A new, neutral kitchen will be much more of a selling point than it is now. I’d do it, enjoy it until you move and it will help sell the house in what promises to be a sticky market.

Good point - estate agents have told me that maybe a year and more ago, so worth getting an up to date opinion