Which improvements add the most value to your home?

There are lots of different opinions as to which improvements will add value to your home. It's thought a garage conversion, a basement conversion, a loft conversion, or the addition of off-street car parking could all add up to 15% to your home's value.

Before we dive into value-adding improvements, you need to know your starting point. It'll help you work out the value you'll add against the cost of the work, so you can figure out if it's worth it.

A cellar or basement conversion

Creating a basement is thought to add 10% to 15% to the value of your home, but it’ll do more for some properties than others.

It’s a bit like a loft conversion: buyers might wonder why you dug down rather than extended outwards, if you have the space.

That means a basement conversion is usually the best choice for urban properties, terraces, and homes without the ability to extend.

Barbour ABI found that more than 90% of basement works are done in urban boroughs in 2022.

It’s also a good choice for older homes, where buyers will feel that a basement or cellar fits with the period it was built in.

Keep in mind that building a basement won’t come cheap – it can be up to twice as expensive as converting a loft.

A garage conversion

It’s estimated that a garage conversion could add up to 15% value to your property. It’s a great way to add extra floor space to your home without extending. However, you need to weigh up whether future buyers will value a garage over an extra room. In a city, where parking is difficult or costly, a garage can get you a premium price. 

Similarly, rural buyers might find a garage useful – particularly if your home is already spacious. But you could create a valuable extra bedroom, a granny flat, a games room or a home office. You might even consider an extra income flow with an Airbnb rental.

It’s affordable in comparison to some other conversions, and most of the time you won’t need planning permission. You’ll need to make sure you comply with building regulations, which involves paying for someone to inspect your conversion.

What are the most popular home improvements?

The most popular home improvements aren’t necessarily the ones that will add the most value.

A survey by mortgage lender Halifax found that homeowners were most likely to have installed a new bathroom at 38%. We’re also likely to get a new kitchen or a new boiler, both at 34%. Other popular improvements include replacing windows (29%) and landscaping the garden (27%). 21% of homeowners have repaired or replaced the roof, and 15% of us have installed a new heating system.

Why are homeowners carrying out home improvements?

A study for the Post Office Money revealed the motivations behind home improvements. 

It found that 28% of people improve their home because they think it’s a good investment and will add value. A further 5% of homeowners carried out improvements because they planned to move in the near future. But 40% said it was to create a cosier living space and 23% said it was to increase their home's energy efficiency.

With lots of people opting for home improvements that don't necessarily add the most value, it suggests we're renovating with a view to living, rather than selling.

A combination of the costs involved in moving, such as stamp duty and estate agent fees, as well as a recent shortage of homes for sale, has led many people to focus on upgrading their current home.

Why Full Swing?

A home golf simulator isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a way to build a home that works for you, your schedule, and the people who matter most. After investing in a renovation that reflects your lifestyle, the simulator becomes the natural next step: it brings world-class golf into your home, on your time. Whether it’s ten focused minutes before a meeting or a full round after the kids are asleep, it creates consistency and autonomy in a life that rarely offers either.

But its real value shows up beyond personal convenience. A Full Swing simulator turns a single room into a shared experience hub — a place where family can play together, friends can compete, and guests get something unforgettable. It blends performance, entertainment, and connection in one space, elevating the time you already spend at home.

Modern renovations aren’t solely about resale; they’re about quality of life. A home simulator embodies this: it transforms your space into something that supports your passions, strengthens your relationships, and gives you back time you usually don’t have.

SOURCE: Zoopla