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Written by The McCarthy's Team on January 30, 2020

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At this time of year many of us might be spending more time than usual in our homes. The weather is cold and rainy (and perhaps snowy if the forecast ever comes true!), the nights are dark – it’s not surprising a form of hibernating can seem like a great idea!

Being at home more can mean you see the property through new eyes. From spotting where could do with a freshen up of paintwork to realising that your house is starting to feel cramped with all those new Christmas toys, it can get you thinking about all the jobs you want to get done. That bathroom suite is starting to look a bit tired. A new kitchen would mean you could move things around and get that breakfast bar you really want. Wouldn’t an orangery make the most of the sunshine on a morning?

But when deciding whether these dreams are worth putting into action, there’s always the question of whether it would be cheaper and easier to move – or whether staying put and adding value is the better plan.

Comparison site for tradespeople, HaMuch.com, has done some research on how much (we see what they did with the name there!) major home improvements can add to the value of a home when it comes to selling up.

Their research showed that adding a conservatory was the best way to add value to a home – on average costing £6,675 but adding over £14,000 or 6 per cent in value. A kitchen was another great idea – costing £8,000 but increasing the value by nearly £13,000 or 5.5 per cent. Loft conversions add a whopping 10.8 per cent to your property value – but because of the cost of the work, you may not see anywhere near that much by way of return. Slightly smaller in scale, decorating the entire house might set you back £2,500, but it can add 3.1 per cent, or just over £7,000, to the value of your home.

‘Essential’ jobs such as a new boiler, double glazing or roof repairs will give you a small return – but not having them done might make a sale tricky anyway – and a broken boiler isn’t something you want to live with! Solar panels were found to be one home improvement job where you wouldn’t make your money back if you were planning on selling – but you might if you’re staying put and can enjoy lower energy bills.

If you’re planning some home improvements, self storage can prove invaluable. If you need to clear out your kitchen or loft, don’t worry about having to sit amongst cardboard boxes watching the telly for the next few months – transfer the items you won’t need in the short term to a self storage unit. We have storage facilities in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate and soon to open in York, with a range of sizes to suit all needs. All of our sites have ample parking, so you can transport your items in a van or car and then we have trolleys and lifts to help you get them to your individual unit. Entry to the building is by unique pin code and only you hold the key to your unit. You can come and go as you please – so if you suddenly realise you packed your favourite mug – it’s no problem getting it back!

We can also help with a man and van service if it’s needed – and of course if you decide home renovations aren’t the best idea, moving house is, we’ve got 50 years of experience in removals services on hand too.

So, whatever 2020 has in store for you on the house front, let us know how we can help you!