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Written by The McCarthy's Team on May 15, 2019

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All the bank holidays at this time of year may have you feeling inclined towards a spot of DIY.

Research last year showed that more than 40% of Brits were planning on doing some jobs around the house during the May bank holidays. We know how to spend our days off!

But for many people, it may be a case of getting some jobs done ready for their home to go on the market – or to add some value to get the best possible price for their property once it does.

So, if you’re looking to do some DIY or you’re thinking about calling in some tradespeople to undertake more major renovations, what should you be focusing on to have the most impact?

• Getting the basics right – first and foremost it’s most important to get the standard stuff right. If you are looking to sell your property, potential buyers are going to want reassurance that all is well structurally, and to see that the property has been take care of generally. Is the boiler up to date? Are the electrics ok? Do any windows need replacing? Sort out any cracks in the plaster or any obvious issues like doors falling off their hinges.
• Get the paint brush out – decorating is something which will always help your property seem more appealing. Its not going to add £££s to the value of your home, but it will make it look fresh, bright and cared for, which might help you find a buyer much faster.
• Kerb appeal – an impressive frontage to your home is definitely going to help get potential buyers through the door. Investing some time in tidying up your front garden, and possibly even replacing the front door (or at least giving it a fresh lick of paint, or a wash) can work wonders. Similarly, any outdoor space is important. If you’re not a gardener at heart, there are simple things you can do to make your garden looks its best. See our earlier blog post for some gardening top tips.
• Kitchen makeover – kitchens are often seen as the heart of the house. Unless your kitchen is in a particularly bad state, a few simple bits of DIY might give it a new lease of life – buyers might want to replace it anyway, so a new kitchen is a big expense to go to unless it’s really necessary. Replacing drawer and cupboard handles, giving cabinets a lick of paint and making sure work surfaces are clutter free will all help.
• Clean up the bathroom – a new bathroom may add some value to your property, but it also won’t be cheap. Consider if your current bathroom just needs a freshen up with replaced grouting and maybe some new flooring and tile paint – or does it need the whole works? White bathrooms are what people want – so if you do have a coloured suite, it might be something you want to do before you put the house on the market.
• Reworking your living space – the trend now is for more open plan living space. If your home doesn’t already have that layout, consider if that’s something which would be worth doing. Is there a stud wall between the kitchen and dining room which could really open up the space? Although, bear in mind, everyone is different and some people will prefer separate living spaces, so it’s always good to keep some rooms on their own.
• Conversions – a loft conversion, with an extra bedroom and bathroom, can add 20% to the value of your home, but you will need to weigh up what the cost of the conversion will be. You also need to consider if you still have sufficient storage space within your home if you ‘lose’ the loft space. Similarly, with garage conversions – the gains in terms of living space and property value can be significant, especially if you still have private car parking spaces and sufficient storage. Cellar conversions can add even more value – up to 30% according to this report.

If you’re considering undertaking a spot of DIY, and you need to clear some space to work, why not consider our self storage centres in Leeds, Harrogate and Wakefield? Perfect for emptying rooms into ahead of any renovations or decorating – and you can even keep things there while the house goes on the market to ensure a clutter-free, spacious appearance!

And if your DIY efforts are a success, and your house sells – we can also help with all your removal needs!