What would YOU prioritise?

chris_h

chris_h

chris_h

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Joined
12 May 2014
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173
Hi all

I am looking at putting some money in my house, the kind of money I can expect to see some return on if and when i sell my property. I don't NEED any of my proposals, they would just be nice to do to make me more comfortable.

I bought the house for 120K, currently it has a value of 125K according to nationwide when I remortgaged for a better rate.

It is a terraced house, 1950's style ex council.

I want one of the following, or a couple of the following;

New bathroom - removing a dividing wall between the toilet and bathroom to open it up, as the two rooms are tiny, plus the bath is cast iron and needs changing anyway.

New driveway - the old one is flagged with no foundations to speak of, resin is cracking and looks tired.

Wood burning stove - I like the idea, but at £2500 i am not sure it will add much value.

New boiler and radiators - It has a 1980's mavity fed system with old single panel radiators, they work but the heat output is not great.

If this was your house...what would you consider the priority? if any?

Thanks :)
 
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Bathroom and boiler need doing first.

Driveway can do either way.

Log burner is a nice extra but isn't a must. By all means get one if you like them, but I wouldn't see it is a profitable purchase (even though house will be easier to sell).
 
I was also leaning towards the plumbing first, i could always power wash and rejoint the flags - it wont last but won't cost much either.
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
Bathroom and boiler need doing first.

Driveway can do either way.
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Agree. Radiator/boiler will ultimately save you money through efficiencies.

Nice practical bathroom always adds value.

Log burner - wouldn't waste my money personally. £2,500 is a lot of money and would be better spent on the driveway.
 
Much the same as everyone else boiler/radiators and bathroom would be my priorities.

Best to get the place warm and start saving cash with a more efficient setup. How is the insulation? You won't get the full benefit of replacing the old 80's system if the heat is just going to escape.
 
Whereas I agree with the others, if you are doing the heating and are considering the stove, then perhaps consider a boiler stove so that you can heat your rads to a degree. It's a good idea in principle albeit not worked out great for us because we have too many rads. However, we inherited the setup and so didn't lose any money on it.
 
Bathroom first. It makes a big impact with buyers, who will likely not take as much notice of the central heating unless it's really on its last legs
 
covenantuk said:
Bathroom first. It makes a big impact with buyers, who will likely not take as much notice of the central heating unless it's really on its last legs
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If you are looking to sell in the next 12 months then probably go for just the bathroom.

If not then I'd go by my previous comment.
 
I would have thought a cast iron bath, as long as it's in good condition would be great in a new bathroom. I've always wanted one for an outside DIY hot tub :p

I'd be looking as others have said at heating first, but I'd also be tempted to look at the log burner with a rear water heater attached to the heating.

Bathroom is great as it always makes an impact especially if there is decent light in there plus the option for mood lighting. This would be my first choice.

As above, might want to look at the electrics as well as networking the house up while it's all being done.
 
I'd only change the heating if it's poor quality, wouldn't necessarily go for an oil/gas boiler though as I'd be looking into 'eco' stuff because I can see people without eco stuff getting additional taxes in the next few years. As said you might even be able to combine with the right type of wood burner too.

I'd also be looking at insulation (look into grants) and double/triple glazing depending on age of existing stuff etc.... no point getting new heating if it's all just going to be lost anyway.

Bathroom would be next but I will say I've always liked metal baths from a design standpoint and even if you don't want it you'd likely be able to sell it for good money if it's a decent one.

Driveway/Log burner would be last on the list unless linked to something else.
 
the summer is a good time to get the boiler and radiators done as you can snag a good deal. i pain £2250 for a new combi and 11 new rads in the summer last year.
 
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Look at the heating but don't necessarily do it UNLESS it directly effects your bathroom ie boiler/cylinder location. If you can do the bathroom without the need to do the heating I would as replacing boilers is a silly game that you will never see the money back on by the time you've saved the several thousand pound installation costs you will likely need another new boiler!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Look at the heating but don't necessarily do it UNLESS it directly effects your bathroom ie boiler/cylinder location. If you can do the bathroom without the need to do the heating I would as replacing boilers is a silly game that you will never see the money back on by the time you've saved the several thousand pound installation costs you will likely need another new boiler!
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Totally agree you need to use a lot of gas, have big improvement in efficency and be lucky with breakdwons on your new boiler to stand a chance of a payback before the new one is life expired.
 
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