Understanding how to maximise profits when building homes is crucial. PropertyReporter featured a selection of tips form experts to help boost your ROI.
The Impact of First Impressions
Rebecca Nutt, a Chartered Surveyor at Atelier Finance, emphasizes the significance of thoroughly inspecting a finished building. Buyers often base their perception of a property’s overall quality on their first impression. Ensuring that every aspect of the build is meticulously finished can greatly influence their decision.
Enhancing Value through Off-Street Parking
Thomas Goodman, a property and construction expert at Myjobquote.co.uk, highlights the profitability of creating off-street parking. While the initial investment ranges from £2,000 to £4,000, this addition can potentially increase your home’s value by £15,000 to £20,000.
Avoiding Devaluation Traps
Goodman also warns about factors that can significantly devalue a property, such as low-quality renovations, structural issues, and damp areas. These problems can be expensive to fix and may reduce a home’s value by at least 20%.
The Rise of Sustainable Living
Over the last five years, searches for ‘sustainable living’ and ‘sustainable building materials’ have surged by 250% and 180%, respectively. This trend reflects a growing interest in environmentally conscious, energy-efficient, and healthier living spaces.
Energy Efficiency as a Key Consideration
With rising energy bills, homebuyers are increasingly focusing on a property’s energy efficiency. Recent data from Rightmove reveals that 61% of landlords prefer properties with an EPC rating of at least C, a significant increase from 47% in the previous year.
Building Sustainable Homes
Sustainable building practices involve minimizing energy usage, utilizing recyclable materials, and ensuring proper insulation. Features like double-glazing, thermal insulation, and natural ventilation not only reduce utility costs but also enhance the property’s value.
Innovative Insulation Solutions
Goodman suggests using sustainable insulation materials like sheep’s wool, hemp, or straw to reduce heat loss and the need for heating in colder months.
The Role of Glass in Sustainable Design
Andrew Taylor, Managing Director of Specialist Glass Products, points out the sustainability benefits of glass. Its versatility, durability, affordability, and recyclability make it an ideal material for sustainable design. It enhances natural light, retains heat, and reduces electricity reliance.
Glass in Sustainable Features
Popular sustainable applications of glass include double-glazed skylights and glass balustrading, which improve natural light distribution, increase durability, and contribute to the property’s sustainability.