We all know we could improve our homes to increase their value by making small changes – but where do we start and how much will it cost?

Often it’s the smaller, cheaper improvements that can offer higher returns than the more expensive ones. The larger and more expensive jobs – such as converting the loft – may seem like attractive extras to buyers. However, in reality, they are often unwilling to pay the premium that meets the expense and effort of doing the job in the first place – so it may not be worth your while.

Your home might be your biggest asset, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that the more money you invest in it, the more money you’ll get in return. Some home-improvement projects will add more value than others, so it’s worth knowing if they will pay off before you commit your time and hard-earned cash.

Where to splash your cash
Keep the scale and costs of any work in proportion to the overall value.Don’t be tempted to splash £20,000 on a kitchen when properties in the area don’t go for more than £100,000. Kitchens can cost anything from a few hundred pounds to £60,000 – if you’re going all out – so you’ve got to work out exactly how much you can and are willing to spend and set yourself a budget.

A small room, but not in terms of value
It makes good sense to add value to your property by investing in a decent bathroom. Your bathroom needs to appeal to the largest section of the market as possible, so opt for a white suite in a classic style with chrome fittings – neutral and timeless.

If you have enough space to incorporate an ensuite bathroom into a bedroom, it will be a great selling point.

Think about rearranging the bathroom layout, especially if the first thing you see on entering the room is the toilet. Discuss with your plumber the various possibilities of moving the basin, shower, loo or bath – however, this will depend largely on where the waste pipe will go, especially in old houses.
Power showers are a definite plus. Install one over your bath if you don’t have a separate shower cubicle, but check with your plumber about the pressure, as it may need its own pump installed.

If you are short of space, tile right up to the ceiling to give the illusion of space and height – keep tiles plain and in keeping with the décor – mirror one wall and install a ladder-style radiator that can double as a towel rail.

Space solutions from thin air
It’s easy to get carried away with overhauling your home, but don’t underestimate what a bit of money and a fresh imagination can do. Make the most of what you’ve got and avoid the temptation to rip out anything unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Making the most of your available space could mean informally arranging a room into different living spaces, or, if your rooms are large enough, dividing them up to create more. A partition wall in the bedroom can create the space for an ensuite shower or bathroom. Alternatively, you can create office space – and with more people working from home the demand is likely to soar. You need power and phone points – for broadband connection – as well as shelving and storage space. A compact design should be enough.

Opening up rooms by taking down or knocking through walls can be another practical solution to creating a larger living space, but before you reach for the sledgehammer, take advice from a qualified surveyor. Taking down a load-bearing wall will mean extra structural work And even if you’re knocking down a partition wall, you’ll need to do your homework thoroughly.

Cellars sell
Converting cellars and basements is a popular choice in areas where space is at a premium. It’s a hefty undertaking and – once you've taken professional advice – may require digging out foundations to create additional headroom as well as dealing with the persistent problem of damp. Creating an extra room or two in the roof is another option, and the high-pitched roofs of 1930s or Victorian houses are ideal for this kind of project. Make sure the addition of extra rooms doesn’t upset the overall balance of your property.

Extend your home
Creating additional space with an extension or garage is another option but this is likely to be a big job. Beware, as a botched job will end up devaluing your property, rather than adding value, so it definitely pays to call in the professionals. Before you embark on any project, you’ll need to check out a few details. Depending on what you want to do, you might need advice from a surveyor (if it’s a structural undertaking), a planner or a structural architect. As with everything, thorough research is key.

You might also need planning permission. Getting the job done properly and legally is essential – seeking retrospective planning permission shouldn’t be a fallback solution.

Create an outdoor office
The majority of outdoor office log cabins don’t need planning permission and often the size is dictated by the space available. The most popular size for a single room log cabin is around 12ft x 12ft.

Ideally, your log cabin should have a clear space of at least 18 inches wide on all sides. This ensures easy access for both installation and future maintenance. If the space around your log cabin is restricted, remember to allow the overhang of its roof.

You should also cut back or remove any nearby shrubs and trees. Make sure you remember to allow for future plant growth. If at all possible, a sheltered position is best. All log cabins need a substantial base. The base should be solid, square, flat and level to ensure stability. Paving slabs or concrete will do the trick with the latter, and although more expensive, they are undoubtedly the best option in the long run.

The floor and roof can be insulated. With the roof, insulation is fixed between timber battens, which are fixed on top of the roof boards, and insulation is placed between the battens. Plywood or similar decking is laid over the insulation and fixed into the battens.

Finally, to make it all-purpose, you’ll need electricity. This is normally a straightforward task but for safety reasons you should consult an approved electrician first. Since January 1 2005 all electrical work has had to be completed in accordance with IEE wiring regulations and BS 7671. These rules are for your safety.

Get some kerb appeal
Change the front door. It’s very important as this is the first thing the potential buyer will see, so at the very least freshen the door with a new coat of paint. Create a hall that looks larger and brighter by hanging a mirror on the wall.

Make sure the paint job is tidy. Choosing the colour is important and it’s best to go for neutral tones.

Upgrade heating and after a few years you’ll get a good return through energy savings.

KITCHENS
What you get for your money:
Up to £1,000
Update what you’ve got
Change worktops, taps, door fronts, flooring, lighting and put fresh colour on the walls. This won’t cost a fortune and can create a clean, bright, modern and practical kitchen.

From £5,000 To £10,000
High street stores
High street kitchen manufacturers offer planning and installations services, deals on appliances and have a good ranges styles available.

Over £10,000
This kind of budget can allow you to indulge in a bespoke kitchen, but the expense must be proportionate to the market value of the house.

Easy projects to add value to your home

Get painting
Painting your interiors is a really effective way to freshen up the look of your home and make it appear brand new, as well as increasing its value. Adding colour instantly makes your home more fashionable and is a fantastic way to brighten up the overall look and feel. Don’t forget to landscape
This is just a fancy term for doing up the garden. If you don’t know how to landscape, then simply look online for straightforward guides that will show you exactly what to do as well as what plants, flowers, and shrubs to buy. Alternatively, you could visit your garden centre. Beneath your feet
A new carpet, tiles or lino can lift a room and not cost the earth. Stay neutral in your choice of colour – anything bold or heavily patterned may quickly go out of fashion! Just add decking
A deck is really simple to build if you have basic woodworking skills and isn’t too expensive either – especially if you do the work yourself. Knobs and knockers
Buy new knobs and handles for all doors, drawers and cabinets. This might seem unimportant, but when you change all of the door furniture in your home, your entire house will have a brand new, polished look.

Which home improvements add the most value?

Most likely to make a mint

• Adding a bedroom in style of the house
• Adding central heating
• Decorating in a neutral style
• Adding a garage

Chance of a good return

• Adding a flat-roof ground floor extension
• Adding a conservatory
• Fitted kitchen
• Bathroom modernisation
• Loft conversion

Unlikely to pay off

• Addition of swimming pool
• Building ground floor bathroom
• Double-glazing
• Cavity wall insulation

Don’t go there

• Extensions that occupy a huge part of the garden
• Stone cladding
• Double-glazing of a period property
• Removal of period features