Smart renovations that increase the value of your home

Bathroom renovations tend to be fairly low-cost and can deliver good bang for your buck. Loft conversions and extensions can add much-needed floor space but need to be carefully planned. Consider the buyer profile of your neighbourhood before putting in a swimming pool. We all want to maximise that precious renovation budget to achieve a better return when it’s time to sell. But if your funds won’t stretch to the entire home and you’re weighing up which rooms to make over, Rhys Dyer, CEO of ooba, South Africa’s largest bond originator, offers advice on what will bring you the best financial return…

1. The kitchen It’s often said that kitchens sell properties, so pay particular attention to this important room, Dyer advises. “They can also be the most expensive room to renovate, which might be fine if you are DIY renovating for your own enjoyment, but if you are renovating to sell or to rent then you need to be mindful of maximum impact for minimum outlay and look for some cheap kitchen renovation ideas,” he says.

You can save money by using flat-pack cupboards. These come in standard sizes, so plan out the best configuration; there are free online tools that can help. Replacing old door knobs, cupboard handles, tap fittings, and ceiling lights is good for a quick, low-cost revamp while, for the more adventurous, updating the splashbacks with new tiles can give the space instant rejuvenation.

“Avoid fashion colours and kitchen design trends like the plague! They can date the whole house,” warns Dyer. “Of the latest trends in kitchens, it looks like stainless-steel appliances are here to stay, so don’t be scared to invest in them,” he continues, adding, “There is a wide variance in terms of functionality and cost, so be careful not to over-capitalise.”

1. The bathroom Cheap bathroom renovation ideas can be really effective in lifting a tired or grubby bathroom, says Dyer. “It is usually easy to replace the shower screen, taps, toilet and vanity. Then you could paint the tiles and walls and resurface the bath. If you are doing a bigger renovation, keep the cost down by retaining the location of the existing plumbing.

“If you can fit a bathtub in, do so,” he suggests. “But don’t bother with bathroom design trends and install those tiny ones, or worse still, square baths. Put in a really nice shower instead. In a family home, a bathtub in the main bathroom is always preferable to one in the en-suite. Young families like to have the bathroom close to the kitchen (but not too close) for bathing the little ones at witching hour.”

If you can’t fit two bathrooms into a renovation, Dyer advises trying to put a second guest washroom in somewhere – the laundry can often be a good spot for it. “If you have a four-bedroom place, aim for an en-suite off the main bedroom as well as a family bathroom to add value to your home,” he says, concluding, “It’s all about what’s appropriate. Twin vanities in an en-suite are great, but not if you are tight on space. And forget the spa bath!”

1. The roof Extending upwards is one of the easiest ways to gain an extra bedroom and bathroom – in fact, a loft conversion can increase floor space in your house by up to 30%.

“The most successful loft conversions are those that appear to be an integral part of the existing property, both inside and out, and in which the home retains a balanced ratio of living space to sleeping space,” explains Dyer.

“You'll need to ensure the pitch of your roof is steep enough to allow the necessary headroom and remember that you will have to sacrifice space on the floor below in order to install access,” he says. “You'll also need to consult a structural engineer to make sure your floor joists can support the extra weight. And you may want to hire an architect to bring your ideas to life and act as an agent to guide you through the required planning permissions and building regulations. If certain conditions are met, you may not need planning permission at all.”

If your loft is unsuitable for a conversion, another option is to extend either to the side or the rear, suggests Dyer. “Generally, similar rules to those for loft conversions also apply to extensions, although the size – and therefore cost – can vary more.”