1 - Spend your money wisely
All improvements should add value to your property by being well designed and appealing to the wider market. Avoid expensive options at the expense of basic
good design principles.

2 - Space is King
Add as much space as the planners and your budget will allow whilst not affecting
good design and build quality. This can sometimes be difficult to obtain which is why
the input of an architect or technician can be invaluable. Make sure that your added space includes value enhancing rooms such as downstairs cloakrooms, utilities,
studies, en-suite bathrooms etc.

3 - Proportions
Get the proportions right between the bedrooms and living space. Ensure that rooms
are also well proportioned following th golden rectangle rule.

4 - Kitchens
A well designed spacious kitchen and dining area can add as much as 15-20% to the value of your home. It is also top of the list for potential home buyers. It is therefore vitally important that the kitchen is well designed. There are many features that would constitute a well designed kitchen but space, light and aspect to the rear garden are
the most important.

5 - Extra Bedrooms
One of the biggest ramp up in values can be achieved by adding an extra bedroom especially turning a 3 bedroom into a 4 bedroom. The rooms must be well designed
and with four bedroom properties one should be en-suite and three should be doubles.

6 - Loft Conversions
Loft conversions are often a simple and cost affective way to add a bedroom and can add between 10-15% to value of your home. A simple loft conversion with a rear facing dormer providing a new master bedroom and en-suite can cost as little at £25,000.

7 - Bathrooms
An en-suite can add upto to 5% and can often be achieved without an extension. Revamp existing bathrooms can also add value especially if you use quality sanitary fittings and luxury showers.

8 - Exterior space
Upgrading the exterior of your home can add a whopping 15%with garden furniture, gazebos, patioes, decking, landscaping etc. Also improving the front gardens may not add value but will enhance the kerb appeal of your home. Providing off-street parking adds value but new planning laws will not allow you to pave over the whole garden.

9 - Kerb appeal
Enhance the kerb appeal of your house by updating the front external elevations. Replace old fashioned windows (except period houses), dirty rendering, badly designed additions, shiplap boarding, flat roofs etc. People always judge a book by it's cover and it is the same with homes. No matter how wonderful the house is inside if the outside is dated then you will loose value.

10 - External buildings
Add an outside building or convert an existing out-building for a home office, hobby room, gymnasium, sauna, family lounge area to add instant value. Buildings can be traditional brick built structures, log cabins or contemporary steel and glass constructs. Out buildings often do not require planning permission providing they comply with certain restrictions and are to be used solely by the family.