Improving gardens has proven a wise investment for UK homeowners, yielding higher property value increases than either extensions or new kitchens, experts report.
Data from the Post Office Money Survey suggests that landscaping could raise a property’s value by as much as 77 per cent, outperforming the returns from more traditional investments like extensions or swimming pools. The research further identifies garden landscaping and kitchen updates as the top home improvements for return on investment, potentially increasing property values by 25% to 75% for projects costing between £2,750 and £7,500.
A study conducted six years prior focused on the median asking price of a three-bedroom semi-detached house across the UK, establishing garden landscaping as the top value-adding feature. It emerged as the most cost-effective home improvement option, providing the highest return on investment. By comparison, a new kitchen could boost property values by 25 per cent, an extension by 37 per cent, and adding a wet room by merely seven per cent.
Other research supporting the financial rewards from improving your garden comes from Foxtons estate agents, which reveals that simply having a garden will generally increase a property’s value by 20 per cent. Moreover, 72 per cent of house buyers were prepared to pay more for a property with a garden, according to Foxtons. Similarly, data by Rightmove revealed that access to a garden was a priority for over 60 per cent of buyers searching for a new home.
