Easter is a great time for DIY projects

Easter is nearly upon us, and as the bank holiday weekend approaches many of us take the opportunity to plan a spot of DIY around the house. And if you are thinking of selling your house in the spring, maybe it’s the right time to think about which DIY projects will add value to you home. 

Of course, DIY can be a blessing or a curse. Well chosen and carefully done DIY can enhance your home and its value; while a botched job can end up costing you thousands of pounds to sort out. So, before heading down to the local DIY store it pays to give it a bit of thought. 

Know your limits

Before you grab hold of a hammer, knock down a wall or rip out a bathroom, be honest with yourself. Do you really have the time and, dare we say it, skill to take on a complex job? Most of us may want to look like a DIY hero, but it’s vital to know our limits, and when we need to call in a professional. There’s no shame in admitting that rewiring and replumbing the whole house in one weekend on your own may be a bit beyond you. At the same time, however, there’s a lot you can do to add value which requires nothing more than patience and a little practice with few tools and a paint brush. Just know where to draw the line. 

Start with first impressions 

You’ll probably have heard the phrase ‘kerb appeal’ – in other words what is it that a potential buyer sees before they even step inside. How can you make your house shine from the outside, and really stand out amongst the other houses on the street? It might be as simple as a couple of well placed potted plants, or a jet washed path. A fresh coat of paint on the front door, or the external woodwork in general, will also lift the appearance and appeal of the whole house. 

Do sweat the small stuff

You might have grand ambitions for major projects – but it’s worth starting with the detail. Buyers will spot the things you might have stopped noticing – whether it’s that patch of mould in the corner of the shower, or the lightbulb you haven’t got round to changing for, well, some time now. So if you want to start somewhere with the DIY a great place to begin is to deal with those little things first. After all, a little bit of effort in this area can go a long way. 

Kitchen ideas

Everyone loves a bright and airy kitchen, and it’s a room we spend a lot of time in. It can even be the heart of family life. Refitting a whole kitchen is a big (and expensive) undertaking – so a more realistic option could be to paint the kitchen cupboards. Using a light colour, maybe even white, will make the whole room feel bigger and brighter. Another option is to add new handles to give a fresh lease of life to outdated cupboards. 

Better bathrooms

Just like the kitchen, a full renovation of your bathroom can set you back quite a bit. But before embarking on something as big as that there are lots of little things you can do yourself which add up to a big difference. How about adding some storage – maybe a new set of shelves to make the room feel better organised. Perhaps think about new taps, bringing a new and more luxurious feel to the whole room. Replacing the toilet seat makes a surprising amount of difference to the bathroom too, as does replacing the blinds which might have seen better days. Finally if you don’t already have one, installing a towel rack and making a relatively small investment in some fresh, fluffy towels can make a big impression on buyers. 

Take pride in your painting!

A fresh coat of paint on interior woodwork and radiators really lifts a whole house. And newly painted walls, maybe with a light and relatively neutral shade, will make your home feel bigger, brighter and more appealing to buyers who are looking for somewhere which feels spacious and fresh. It goes without saying that it’s always worth being patient with your paint brush and doing the best job you can – a bit of extra care will pay huge dividends when selling. 

Don’t forget the great outdoors

Your garden, patio or decking are all extensions of your home, so you should pay them lots of attention. It’s worth thinking about how you want the whole space to work, how different parts of it join up and flow into each other, and how you want the whole thing to work for you and your family. If you are lacking an area to entertain then maybe now is the time to sort out a patio or some new decking. Regardless of what else you do it is always worth making your lawn look as green and tidy as possible, and weed free flower beds with simple flowers and shrubs will always help your property to sell. 

Bank holiday projects don’t need to break the bank

Focusing on relatively basic and less complicated things can have a big impact on how your house looks and feels, without costing the earth. But if you are thinking about major home upgrades as a way of adding value, we suggest you check in with us first as we will be happy to advise. After all we have many years of experience and we’ve seen projects which really do add value, as well as seeing our fair share of disasters which not only don’t add value but may cost a pretty penny to undo once the house is sold. 

Above all if you are planning on a bank holiday filled with DIY please make it enjoyable and safe, and be proud of what you achieve.