Property expert Phil Spencer has shared five garden enhancements that could potentially boost your home's value by £60,000. The latest figures from Halifax indicate that the average UK property is now worth £296,699.
However, Phil, a renowned TV property guru, suggests that simple garden improvements could significantly increase your property's value. He claims that a well-maintained garden could add up to 20 per cent to your property's value.
Phil, the founder of property advice website Move iQ, stated: "Improving your garden is one of the most effective ways to add value to your home.", reports Birmingham Live. "Making your outdoor space more attractive will typically cost less than an interior renovation, and needn't require lots of specialist skills."
"Even if you're not green-fingered, there will be things you can do yourself that make a big difference. After all, plants are more forgiving than plaster and plumbing - if you make a mistake, they grow back."
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Speaking to The Sun, he said: "An inviting garden makes a home feel bigger - in the warmer months it's like an extra living space - and it will make your home appeal to a wider pool of buyers, such as young professionals who like to entertain, families, pet owners and retirees."
Here are some budget-friendly ways to enhance your garden and increase your home's value.
According to Phil, you should aim to work with what you already have in your garden. He suggested: "Try repotting your existing plants into new and attractive tubs, or giving old and tired pots a lick of paint."
If you're willing to invest a bit, consider adding flowering plants or purchasing new shrubs to place strategically on patios. Grouping pots of different sizes and colours can create an appealing display.
On the topic of hanging baskets, Phil advised: "A few good quality hanging baskets will brighten up even the smallest space, and you can add a dash of colour to your borders with flowering bedding plants."
When it comes to lighting, a few well-placed lights can transform your garden. Phil said: "Colourful solar-powered lights can instantly turn your garden into a feature, rather than just the space outside the house. They don't require an electrician for installation, as they're self-contained and not connected to the mains."
He further noted: "The right lights will enable you to enjoy the garden more on warm evenings, and should look good through the window even when the weather is bad."
For those with a larger budget, a summer house can add extra living space or a room. Phil mentioned: "In most cases, as long as the summer house is less than half the size of the garden, planning permission is not required - but it's worth checking this with a local planning officer first. A high-quality, insulated shed can serve as an office pod, a den, a gym or just a cabin for the kids to play in."
If you're up for a bit of DIY, the materials for a garden project could set you back around £3,000. Opting for professional installation will see costs rise, with material prices beginning at approximately £5,000 and installation fees starting from £1,500, not forgetting the additional VAT.
Phil mentioned: "Done well and depending on the size, a decent garden room could add between 10% to 20% to the value of your home."
Moving on to outdoor cooking, Phil remarked: "While a full outdoor kitchen is the ultimate in garden glamour, typically adding between 5% and 10% to the value of a property, you can enjoy the fun of al fresco cooking and spend much less dough."
He also noted: "Outdoor pizza ovens start at just a few hundred pounds, and bring a much bigger wow factor than a traditional barbecue."