Buying a house is an investment, and it’s one that can keep increasing in value if you play your cards right. One of the best ways to add to your property’s value is through garden improvements, with Property Price Advice reporting that a good garden can add up to 20 per cent on to the value of your home.
Garden improvements, however, can prove pricey – one of the go-to methods of garden refurbishment, landscaping, will add to your property’s value…but not before taking around £2,750 from your wallet.
Of course, landscaping isn’t the only garden improvement you can make. There are plenty of budget-friendly garden projects that you can complete. Flogas, suppliers of gas BBQs discuss a range of examples that can help boost your home’s value and make your outdoor space one you love!
Top ways to add value with your garden
According to research by Sellhousefast.co.uk, the top five garden features that estate agents, garden designers, and property professionals agree will add significant value to a property are:
- A shed – (82% agreed)
- Patio/paving – (76% agreed)
- Fencing/walls – (72% agreed)
- Outdoor lighting – (66% agreed)
- Sturdy decking – (62% agreed)
With this in mind, let’s take a look at how you can add these features to your garden on a budget.
Shed – style it like a summer house
Already have a shed in the garden? Chances are that you do, but it might be in need of a little TLC if it’s been neglected for a few years. We can go a little further than just tidying it up or giving it a lick of paint – Real Homes suggests styling your little shed like a summerhouse! This is certain to make your property stand out to any potential buyer in years to come. Go the extra mile and link it to your gas mains to supply heat to your new little room – your summer home can keep on going right through the winter months!
If you don’t have a shed in your garden, a wooden shed will set you back, on average, between £500 and £1,200. So, depending on your budget, you could certainly invest in this value-boosting garden building.
Patio
A good patio might make you worry about your bank balance, but don’t fret! There’s no reason why laying a patio needs to cost thousands of pounds – so long as you’re willing to put in a bit of DIY!
If you have the skills to lay a patio yourself, you’ll save a lot of money on labour costs. This leaves you with just the raw materials cost, which you have complete control over as an expense. Put simply, your choice of material will dictate how expensive the patio will be.
According to research by Tradesmencosts.co.uk, your sub-base of hardcore will cost around £40–£60 per tonne, and then your concrete and sand mixture will clock in at £4–£6 per 25k bag for concrete and £40–£70 per tonne of sand. So, your minimum base cost before picking a patio material will be around £84, depending on how much you’re laying down. After that, it’s up to whether you want brick, concrete, slate, or stone paving slabs – prices will vary from around £35–£45 per m2.
Fencing
Garden fencing or walls can add to your property value, and you’ll be pleased to know that there are some cost-effective yet stunning fencing options out there.
Reclaimed wood is always a great choice environmentally and financially, and whether you go for cheap panels or recycled ones, Homify advises would-be garden refurbishers to crack open a can of paint to give these options a luxury feel.
Alternatively, you could embrace the rustic look of raw wood. Why not source some cheap wooden pallets from local businesses for a wallet-friendly way to create an enviably on-trend garden fence? You could even fill the hollows of the pallet slats with compost to create additional planters, perfect for adding more planting space and decorating your new fence with a natural flair!
Lighting
Is there anything more romantic than garden lights twinkling on an evening? As with any option on this list, you could splash out for some amazing outdoor lighting options, but there are equally brilliant homemade methods that you could look into to save money.
LEDHut suggests using tin cans to create lanterns that would look perfect with your rustic pallet fencing. Paint some old tin cans however you wish, drill holes in the side in whichever pattern you want the light to come through, and voila! All you need are some strings of LED lights and your new garden lighting feature will be ready to go!
Decking
Wooden decking is a garden classic, but as Project Financially Free points out, it isn’t the most budget friendly. However, there are a number of cheaper alternatives you can look into, including PVC decking. Again, just like with the patio, installing it yourself will also drive costs down.
Adding value to your home doesn’t need to have an extortionate price tag in the short term. With these thrifty tips, you can improve your outdoor space without breaking your budget.
