A conservatory is a pleasure to spend time in for all sorts of reasons. It's especially exciting when newly built and it has the same appeal to potential home buyers, who will often regard it as a house's key selling point. Although you should always take advice from an estate agent before you invest, many will advise you that good quality conservatories can add £5,000 to £10,000 to the value of your home as soon as it's complete, and is likely to be worth even more over time. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors recommends it as a way to add as much 5% to the total value of your home.
With such great recommendations, what do you need to consider? The first thing is to make sure you buy a good quality product that will stay looking good as the years go by. The second is to think about style - something with wide appeal that complements your house will usually end up boosting its value by more. Thirdly, location, location, location! A south facing conservatory is always a stronger selling point, though you should also think about what affords the best view. When it comes to advertising your home, this can make a big difference.
Even if you don't want to move in the immediate future, increasing the value of your home with a conservatory can have big advantages. Effectively increasing your equity, it can give you more financial flexibility - and, of course, you're getting value from it all the time as you spend time in it. But if moving isn't an immediate plan, think carefully about how you decorate your new room. Don't use carpets or wood dyes that will fade in the sun and lose their appeal. Look for a product that isn't going to be challenging to maintain in good condition.
Every home looks brighter and more beautiful with the addition of a well-chosen conservatory. It's an investment you're unlikely to regret.
