A home improvement serves two main purposes; to make your home fit for purpose, or to maximise property value before selling or letting. However, renovating isn’t the best way to get a return on your investment unless it’s an investment property and you plan on a complete reconfiguration.
While renovations will likely add property value, not much renovation work will make a profit. 32% of British homeowners have issues with their kitchen (Origin, 2024). Creating the dream British kitchen could cost upwards of £10,000 and adds only 5-10% to the property’s market value. However, a kitchen revamp doesn’t usually have a positive financial impact. Discover which renovations are worth it and learn the answer the question - is it better to renovate or sell?
In this guide:
When it comes to value for money, we explore the best renovations if you plan to sell
Renovating can be more cost-effective than selling
Avoid renovating before selling unless there is structural damage
Ask yourself these four questions before selling or renovating
Find out why Brits don’t want to move
Which home renovations are worth it?
Contrary to common belief, it’s not always profitable to renovate your home. 48% wrongly believed a kitchen renovation would turn a profit when selling. However, some renovations do provide a return on investment, such as AVAC conversion (electrical systems), external stone veneer cladding (cosmetic) and external door replacement (security).
Entry door replacement with a durable, secure material such as steel or aluminium will have the best return on investment because they’re often the most secure. The stylish appearance is also an additional benefit of aluminium residential doors. Choose the most secure door for your home.
Similarly, garage door replacement helps provide additional security. Again, a robust material such as aluminium is advisable for its innate durability, longevity and security.
Origin’s external , French Doors and Single Doors and Windows can be specified to be Secured by Design and can withstand attacks, picking, drilling and severe weather conditions.
Security is the number one priority when buying new doors and windows. Origin designs stunning external doors with advanced technology, guaranteed for up to 20 years. Benefit from timeless style and ultimate security by installing the most innovative bifold door. The Soho and Contemporary OB-36+ offers the slimmest sightlines, unbeatable U-Values and robust security, and will certainly improve the appeal of your home for decades to come.
Common frustrations in the home involve the kitchen, bathrooms and energy efficiency. One simple way to transform any space is by flooding it with natural light and uninterrupted views. When you choose the right windows and doors, you stop throwing money out the window. Meanwhile, you have the reassurance that your home is completely secure.
Is it cheaper to renovate or sell?
Moving house comes with additional costs such as stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs. However, unless you plan on doing some of the work yourself, renovations aren’t cheap either.
The average bathroom renovation costs between £5,000-£8,000 and adds up to 4% to property value
The average loft conversion costs between £20,000 and £50,000 adding up to 15% in house value
The average full kitchen renovation costs between £10,000 and £20,000 adding up to 10% of the resale value
Generally, you should avoid renovating while considering a move - it may not be profitable and you may make misguided decisions. Otherwise, choose renovations that will significantly improve the functionality of your space and your household’s quality of life. In this case, your investment will almost always pay off.
It’s more cost-effective to just move than to renovate and then list. However, you’re most likely to see the biggest return on investment by future-proofing your home.
Should you renovate before listing your property?
Make your current home as appealing as possible to the prospective buyer. Even without renovating, you can increase interest in your home, which boosts competition and the probability of a higher-than-asking sale price.
If you’re confident about selling, it may not always be advantageous to renovate. Everyone’s interior design preferences are different and generally, home renovations don’t make back what you spend. Design trends are cyclical so timeless style and functionality is always preferable when remodelling.
Prospective buyers prioritise natural light and energy efficiency, so opening up your space could be a smart choice. One way to improve the appeal of your home is to install thermally efficient sliding or bifolding patio doors to bring the outside in and create the illusion of additional space.
Additionally, you may want to renovate if there are structural issues with the home - these will be off-putting to potential buyers. Carefully consider whether your renovation will add timeless style or functionality for the next homeowner. Otherwise, it may be best to sell your property as it is. Explore some reasons to avoid a signifiacnt renovation before listing:
It’s not always profitable - you may not make back the amount that you spend on the renovation when you come to sell.
Everyone’s interior design preferences are different - don’t make stylistic changes based on your personal preferences, you may narrow down your cohort of potential buyers
Design trends change and are cyclical - you may want to ‘update’ your home before listing but doesn’t always pay off - authentic and timeless accents such as Georgian bars are always desirable even if you think they’re outdated
What to do instead of renovating to improve your odds of selling:
DIY jobs - repair broken fixtures, taps, leaks, fill structural cracks, rejuvenate wooden surfaces
Refresh flooring - replace broken tiles, clean or replace grouting, sand and treat wooden flooring, remove stains/damage from carpets
Refresh paintwork - touch up paintwork and cover flashy colours with more neutral tones
Replace mouldy or tired silicone and sealant
Address mould and ventilation issues
Improve curb appeal - paint or replace entrance doors or garage doors, update front-facing windows (keep period features if you have them), and tend to the front garden and add enticing plants and flowers
Deep clean your home before selling and keep it clean and clutter-free for viewings
Deciding whether to renovate or sell
There are three main considerations you need to make when deciding to move or renovate. Are you in the right location, is the property the right size and do you have the ability/permission to make necessary changes? Ask yourself the following questions.
1. Is the property fit for your current and future needs?
If the property isn’t suitable for your current needs, you will need to adapt. Meanwhile, if you plan on expanding your family, future-proofing your home will be a smart choice. Accessibility is also a top priority if you want to enjoy everything your home has to offer.
2. Are you in the right location?
Your neighbourhood, community, lifestyle, amenities and proximity to schools, work or transport links are all essential considerations. For example, moving to the countryside might pose a challenge with commuting, errands or school runs, but may offer a more favourable lifestyle.
3. Is your property a suitable size?
More bedrooms, outdoor space and storage space are common motivations for moving. However, ample outdoor space can account for a smaller interior if you plan to expand your house. On the other hand, you may need to downsize to make home maintenance more manageable or to feel more comfortable in your forever home.
4. Do you have the freedom to make structural changes?
You may have a leasehold property or a shared ownership arrangement - in these cases, you may not have the freedom to make structural changes to your property. Regulations and council planning in your area may also limit what you can do to your home.
It’s better to renovate - according to Brits
Given the opportunity, 37% would renovate compared to 29% who would prefer to move to a new home. Overall, it comes down to your unique priorities and circumstances, but most will choose to stay put rather than start afresh somewhere else. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of renovating and listing, according to British homeowners in 2024.
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A good location and more importantly, a good community, is often the main reason to stay put. Conversely, the ease of selling compared to renovating motivates people to look elsewhere for their forever home. Unless you’re severely limited by property size, or location, it’s usually better to renovate your current property than move elsewhere.
If you need to expand into the garden to make space in the home, the best way to get the most out of your property is to add external bi-folding doors to create a continuum with the outdoors and the illusion of more space. With recessed threshold options available and our slimmest sightlines yet, the OB-36+, makes for the most unobtrusive patio door. You can enjoy the wonder of your garden year-round.
