Extensions the best way to up home value

Increasing the amount of living space in a property – possibly by having a kitchen extension installed – is the best way to add value to a home, according to Which?.

Martyn Hocking, editor of Which? Money, told the Manchester Evening News that extensions with real purpose and function are particularly "saleable".

Continuing, he suggested that if consumers plan to upgrade their kitchen then they should look to spend up to three or four per cent of the entire value of their property on it.

Mr Hocking urged: "Choose a popular, modern style and make sure it suits your home. Dont, for example, fit a cottage-style kitchen in a 1970s semi."

Concluding, consumers are advised not to convert a functional space such as a bedroom or garage into an extra bathroom or gym as this could actually lower the value of a property.

Figures from the consumer watchdog suggest that people spend around £1,700 to put right failed home improvement projects.