Property experts reveal five external features which could add value to your property

With transactions for residential properties up 7.6% in December¹, standing out in a crowded market is more important than ever. Looking from the outside in, external property features can further increase buyer interest – and add thousands to the value of your home!

To help, experts from regulated property buyers, Good Move, have revealed five external home features which may add value to your property. Plus, the estimated cost of how much these features should set you back.

Extending your home ranked as the most popular external feature for Brits with over 6,400 UK posts on Instagram over the past year for the hashtag #houseextension. Once you’ve got the green light on planning permission the options are endless, whether it will be transformed into home office space, or a spare bedroom to welcome guests.

When it comes to cost, the price of a house extension varies depending on various factors such as the type of extension used, shape and height, trees, location, and home insurance type. For a basic extension the average cost might be:

Not only can you mould the style to change the architecture of your home, but an extension can also add some serious value – with a double bedroom adding on an average 12% in value!

A conservatory can be a bright and airy addition to the home, creating a perfect space to entertain guests. With over 5,105 Instagram posts with the hashtag #conservatory this year, a conservatory is a great alternative to the extension – without all the hassle of planning permission.

Again, costs for a conservatory can alter depending on the amount on the materials used. However, some basic costings for popular styles include:

There’s nothing conservative about buyer desirability for this feature – with the average conservatory adding around 7% to the value of your home.

Style and substance are most valuable when they go hand in hand– and this is especially true with external features such as doors and windows. In fact, on Instagram the hashtag #frontdoor generated 5,102 posts in the past year, while #newwindows generated 1,383 posts.

A more budget-friendly feature, overall cost depends on the size and style of the frames, materials used, and whether and planning permission is needed. When it comes casement windows, they can be from £500 to buy and fit, whereas bay windows can cost from £5,000 per window.

Updating your door can open opportunities for added character and increased aesthetic payoff Although UPVC doors start at £300, choose composite doors which start at £550 to buy and fit – not only are they modern but also extremely thermally efficient!

Although the estimated value increase varies depending on the quality and aesthetic payoff, updating doors and windows can further increase buyer interest for your property – which means higher asking prices!

In busy areas parking areas can especially be in demand, therefore adding a driveway to your home can add some serious kerb appeal to your house. This has seen the hashtag #drivewaymakeover generating 3,220 posts on Instagram over the past year.

Again, much of it rests on the materials used and the size you plan to make the driveway. For a small tarmac driveway measuring 30m², costs can start from £1,200.

Adding a driveway can park your home value up by 5-10%, and you can further reap its fruits by renting the driveway out to the public.

Giving your garden a makeover can be the most underrated way of adding value to your home. And #gardenrenovation has generated over 2,435 posts on Instagram over the past year, showing Brits as especially green-fingered.

If you do the work yourself, a front-garden transformation could cost a couple of hundred pounds. However, if you need a little help from green-fingered experts, costs can include:

Transforming your garden can be the most fruitful way of adding value to your home, with a well-kept garden raising average prices by around 20%!

Commenting on the research Nima Ghasri, director at Good Move says: “When it comes to property, the exterior of the home can shape a buyer’s first impression and their experience of viewing the home. By looking from the outside in, homeowners can have their property stand out from the competition and become more attractive to prospective buyers!

“No matter your budget, adding external features can not only increase buyer interest but can generate a big return on investment upon sale!”