Sort The Inside Out And Add Value

Jan 27 2008 Donny Sheridan

Diy Donny Focus On The Jobs That Will Help Sell Your Home.. And Put The Rest On Back Burner

When it comes to interiors, it's wise to concentrate on the jobs that will add value to your property and separate them from jobs that will not.

Avoid personal tastes and keep it simple and safe. With a couple of DIY jobs, your home will be worth more.

If you cover the basics, your property will be more desirable because nobody wants the hassle of arriving in a new home and having to rewire or install a new kitchen and bathroom.

So don't devalue your home.

BATHROOM

Try to avoid an internal bathroom if you can. A window not only provides natural light but is far better for ventilation than a fan. It will also help prevent condensation.

There are so many products out there to fit into your bathroom that it is impossible to go through them all. But if you are going to refurbish your bathroom, why not fit a wet floor? Two main makers are Aqua-Dec and Level Best. The technology is there and it will not leak. This will remove the need for a shower tray and open up the room and make it feel bigger, as well as modern.

LIVING ROOM AND BEDROOMS, PAINTING AND DECORATING

Prospective buyers expect walls to be clean and free from marks - so give them a new coat. It won't break the bank. Make sure your main rooms in your house have a When going about your house, you tend to walk over the same areas. For example, you follow the same path in your hall. Pick a flooring that will last. Use hardwearing wooden floors in well-used areas and tough, easy-to-clean flooring, such as Karndean, in your kitchen. That will make it bomb proof from any experimental cooking.

ATTIC AND BASEMENT

Make the most of these areas for storage and fit a loft ladder for access. If you are lucky to have a basement, waterproof it with a good quality tanking system. You may think it costly but a dry basement will make a huge difference to your life. It will give you extra living and storage space.

HEATING SYSTEM

Rising fuel costs make an old and antiquated heating system too costly to run. Opt for a more efficient condensing boiler. The same principle applies to electrics. Make sure your wiring is up to date and modern. Because both heating and electrics require professionals, make sure you always keep receipts of work carried out in a logbook. This information will be useful to potential buyers if you ever sell your house. fresh coat of paint every few years. Even if you take your time, you should be able to emulsion a room within a day at little cost.

I am not an interior designer and I try to avoid using colours if possible because I don't have the confidence. I always opt for neutral colours and a good quality brush and roller - then you cannot really go wrong. Colours tend to be personal. Take Justin and Colin's advice in that department (fluffy pillows, and all that).

KITCHEN

You don't have to spend a fortune on your kitchen or even replace it but make sure all the appliances work and all the drawers and doors open and close properly. If your kitchen is a bit worse for wear, you can fit a new kitchen on a low budget or even paint the existing doors. As long as it's clean and neat, you can avoid fancy appliances. Some firms will replace your doors, worktops and retain the existing carcases. That will save you a lot of money.

At the end of the day, make the most of the kitchen because it is your house's biggest asset. So don't put off all those little jobs that need fixing around the kitchen.

FLOORING

The thing about flooring is it should last.