If you want to maximise value for money when making changes to your home, then there are a few pointless home improvements you should be cautious of before diving in.
Finding ways to add value to your home might be a primary focus if you are looking to sell your home in the near future. But even if you aren't planning on moving, it's always worth considering the financial return on investment you can expect.
Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, says: 'Renovating your home is always an exciting project, but it’s important that you don’t get carried away and consider the practical elements as well, particularly the impact on your property’s value. You could end up in negative equity if the changes devalue your home, which will seriously limit your options if you want to sell up. On the other hand, improving your home’s value could really help you climb the property ladder.'
What are the most pointless home improvements?
To compile this list, we have spoken to numerous property experts and analysed data from our sister brand Go.Compare's property investment calculator — and determined that these are the home improvements that will cost you more than the value they add.
However, there's the other kind of value to think about too. If you are planning on staying in your home long-term and there is a change you want to make that will transform how you live in your home and it's within your budget, then go for it. That offers a different kind of return on investment that is equally important. Just make sure you factor the financial implications into your decision making.
1. Decorating with a unique and bold colour scheme
Decorating your home is a great way to try out some new home decor trends that let you express your personality. But going too far away from a neutral scheme if you are planning on selling your home could be a pointless move.
Gareth Davies, Design Director at Classic Interiors says: ‘If your design choices are overly personalised, or you have a bold or unconventional colour scheme for instance, this will also put buyers off. A lime green kitchen might look great to you, but it'll be expensive and time-consuming for a buyer to change. Buyers often see highly personalised designs as extra work rather than an inviting space they can settle into.’
2. Installing new flooring
If you're looking to upgrade your floors, make sure you're doing it to enjoy the benefits yourself rather than because you think it might increase your home's value. This is one of the cheapest endeavours on our list of pointless home improvements, but you could still be losing a few hundred quid if you're planning on moving soon.
'The type of flooring you have in your home is usually subject to personal preference,' says Alex Goody, Property Content Writer, House Sales Direct. 'Having a wooden floor will not appeal to someone who prefers carpet and vice versa. It can therefore mean that redoing your flooring will not boost the value of your property in any way and may even cost you if you’re looking to sell up.'
3. Adding water features to your garden
Your garden pond ideas might seem like a good idea at the time, but you might want to think twice before adding a permanent water feature in your garden if you want to move house soon. Terry Fisher, Group Chief Marketing Officer at We Buy Any Home says: 'For those with young families, ponds can be dangerous, plus there is the cost to maintain them and also the potential for attracting pests such as rats and mice.'
'Installing permanent garden furniture and water landscaping may not be the best option for potential future buyers, particularly those with young children,' adds James Mellan-Matulewicz, Creative Director and Designer at Bobbi Beck. 'Installing a permanent waterfall might seem like a great decision at the time, but parents or even pet-owners may be deterred as there is a huge safety risk.'
4. Choosing artificial grass
A similar point could be made for installing artificial grass as it can be quite a divisive choice. Artificial grass may have once been appealing to those wanting a low maintenance lawn, but as Terry explains: 'In recent years this has become a big turn-off when it comes to dipping into the housing market.
'There is an environmental impact, of course, while the look of fake grass just isn’t doing it for modern buyers,' he adds.
5. Getting rid of the bath
You might be a part of a household who all prefer a shower rather than a bath, and so bringing your dream walk-in shower idea, complete with spa-like showerhead, to life might be hugely tempting. But if you're planning on selling, this could slash a chunk of value from your home.
Terry Fisher explains: 'Many people favour a shower but you have to think who might be buying your house. Families with young children will want a bath while older people also favour it over standing up for a wash. Others simply just like sinking into a hot tub to soothe their aches and pains. Not having one can be costly.'
6. Installing underfloor heating without the proper knowledge
Underfloor heating is increasingly sought-after, so you might be tempted to add it to your home as a bonus selling point. But if you make the common underfloor heating mistakes and install the wrong type in the wrong place or pair it with the wrong floorcovering, you could see your money wasted and potential buyers turned off.
Property expert Jonathan Rolande, founder of House Buy Fast, says: 'Installing underfloor heating sounds like a great luxury, but unless it’s done properly and in the right type of property, it won’t necessarily add value. In some cases, it’s more hassle than it’s worth.'
7. Fitting a new bathroom
You might be keen to plan a new bathroom in the hopes of adding value to your home, but the reality is that fitting new sanitaryware will likely cost more than the value it may add. And if your toilet, shower and sink are already in fine working condition, buyers won't be bothered about where they're placed or how fancy they look.
'Often it is not worth the cost of a new suite and installation when you can often do the same with a lick of paint and a deep clean,' says Elaine Penhaul, Director, Lemon & Lime Interiors. 'Something as simple as painting the ceiling could in effect open up or reduce the size of a space depending on the desired effect.'
8. Removing period features
Renovations that remove original features will have a damaging effect on your home's price tag. Period features like wooden beams or an old, traditional fireplace may not suit the modern home's aesthetic, but preserving these will add an element of interest to your home and is something that buyers will generally pay more for.
'If you are sick of an older element of your home, such as a fireplace, there are many ways you can transform the area without removing the feature,' says James. 'Consider less permanent changes, such as painting over or dressing the fireplace with hanging plants to distract from the feature that you’re perhaps not too fond of.'
9. Making changes without the necessary permissions
Building an extension or making better use of existing space by converting the loft or garage can be sure fire ways to add value to your home. But if you don't have the relevant approvals around planning permission and Building Regulations in place, you could find it difficult to sell your home. Sam Davies, Head of Product at property investment specialists UOWN, explains: 'Any work done without the necessary permissions and sign off will give buyers pause for thought and potentially leverage to bargain with you when you come to sell. It can seem cumbersome and come as a second thought but always ensure you have sign off and permission for work and keep a record.'
Even if you don't plan on selling up, not having the correct approvals in place could lead to additional costs around getting retrospective permission, or ultimately having to undo the work entirely.
10. Reducing the number of bedrooms
Knocking down walls and getting rid of a smaller bedroom in order to make another bedroom bigger may seem like a good idea, but could be off-putting to potential buyers and knock significant value off your home.
Extending into the loft or adding a two-storey extension is the best way to ease space pressures on the upper floors, but if you plan on moving, best to leave this to the new homeowners to decide. 'Most buyers prefer to pay for the opportunity to be able to add an attic conversion, kitchen extension or convert a basement,' says Go.Compare's Henry Pryor. 'Getting planning permission to do the work is frequently the best investment you can make. That leaves the actual choice of layout, decoration and equipment to the next owner.'
11. Adding a home cinema
Even the most avid box set fans should think twice about creating a home cinema. Installations can be pricey, especially if you want a state-of-the-art projector, Dolby surround sound system and plush seating, that would be key to making a dedicated space worth it.
And for potential buyers, who may want to use the space for something else, it's potentially a significant and costly feature for them to undo. This may put them off buying your home altogether.
12. Converting a cellar
Converting existing underground space or digging out to create a new floor is incredibly costly, and unless you live in central London, it's unlikely that you will get the desired return on your investment.
Also, what you think is a great use for a cellar, might not match up with a potential buyer. 'Only true wine connoisseurs with an extensive collection of high-quality wines will truly reap the rewards of having a wine cellar fitted in their home,' says Nick Woodward, Lettings Director, Essential Living. 'The cost of fitting one can easily reach the £70,000 mark, and while it may seem like a unique selling point, relying on a buyer who can match this love of wine is a big risk to take.'
13. Adding a swimming pool
The pinnacle of pointless home improvements that won't add value to your home is a swimming pool. In other countries, a swimming pool is often expected to come with the property, but it turns out the UK market still isn't quite hot enough for them. The extortionate price tag means there's just no way you'll be able to make the money back when you sell. And the high running costs will be off-putting to many potential buyers.
The same can be said for tennis courts. 'Although a lovely feature for any home to have, the amount of use a tennis court would get in the UK is few and far between,' says Tabitha Cumming, Property Expert, The Lease Extension Company. 'As well as this, this feature costs a lot to put in, and costs a lot to maintain.'
FAQs
What home improvements will add value?
While not the most visually appealing of improvements, upgrading your home's heating system and making the property more energy efficient can be reliable ways of adding significant value to your home.
According to Go.Compare's data, these changes will add the most value to your home:
- Installing a new boiler
- Installing central heating
- Installing double glazing
- Knocking through rooms
- Energy-saving improvements, like improved insulation
- EV charging point
- Off-road parking.
What else should you consider when improving your home?
When factoring in the budget you have to make alterations to your home, as Nathan explains, you also need to consider how these changes may impact your home insurance. Nathan explains: 'If the renovation increases the home’s value, the price of your buildings insurance policy will likely go up, too, as the rebuild value of your property will be higher. Your contents insurance could also increase if you add more valuable appliances or possessions as part of the renovation.
'For this reason, you’ll need to tell your insurer about any major home improvement works that increase your property’s value. Otherwise, you might be underinsured if you need to claim, leaving you short of the funds you need to make emergency repairs. Also, keep in mind that some policies might not cover you for DIY work, so be sure to check first.
'Make sure you know what you’re doing if you’re planning on making the changes yourself, as you probably won’t receive a payout if you drill through a pipe. Small cosmetic jobs should be fine to do on your own, but major projects, like extensions, will need to be carried out professionally, or your claim would likely be denied.'
If you want to maximise your return on investment, make sure you read our guide on how to renovate on a budget.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments below.
