It’s an interesting question isn’t it. We wouldn’t suggest putting one of our kitchens in just to increase the value as the main benefit of a high quality kitchen such as ours is the enjoyment of using it and the way it enhances your lifestyle. That said, when making an investment in our homes it’s an extra benefit that we’re also adding to the value.
Phil Spencer, an expert on selling houses from Channel 4 programme Location Location Location, listed concentrating on the kitchen in his top 20 tips for adding value in this article. He said:
“If you are only going to improve one room, make it the kitchen. This has now become the showpiece area of the home. We don’t just cook in it, we do homework in it, we watch television in it and hold dinner parties there. The number one priority is creating a handsome and efficient work surface and ensuring easy access between the three points of the kitchen triangle, that is, the sink, fridge and cooker (high street kitchen firms have got surprisingly good at drawing up designs). Install equipment that is as up to date as possible, so it won’t look outmoded in 10 years. And make sure the price bracket of your kitchen matches the price bracket of your house. There is no point putting a £25,000 kitchen in a £250,000 house; you won’t see your money back. Equally, put a £10,000 kitchen in a £1 million house, and you will drag down the value. Typically, a new kitchen will add 4.6 per cent onto the value.”
What he says is very interesting, particularly his point about the kitchen being the showpiece of the home. This really echoes what we find; the kitchen really is so much more than the place where you cook tea – it is the hub of the home. It is therefore important that we get it right and create the best possible space for you, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Aside from the monetary value of the house, what a good kitchen space can do is influence the impression people have of the whole house. As Phil says, “If you are only going to improve one room, make it the kitchen.” because it’s the one that people remember and focus on – whether it’s offering the wow factor to your guests or prospective buyers. It can be a long term plan too; our kitchens continue to look good for many years so you can buy a kitchen now, have the benefit of it for the intervening time and it will still look good should you sell the house in 10 or 15 years time!
If you are looking for a new kitchen that will improve the way you live in and use your home AND possibly also increase the value in the process then call us on 0800 321 3491 or send us a message.
