We all want our homes to be safe, cosy, and beautiful. But our houses are also important for our financial health. They are valuable assets. Knowing how to manage these assets and increase their value can help us plan for our futures. Knowing when to sell our homes and how much they might sell for can be crucial when we’re making plans for our future.
For example, if you have children heading off to university or moving out, selling your house could help provide for them too. So, you’ve been dreaming up ways to increase the value of your house? Well, you may not have considered how your roof might affect the selling price of your property.
Here are some ways that renovating or extending your roof area can greatly improve the value of your house. (And make it a nicer place to live in too!) There are many methods to add to the potential of your home; roofing is one way to increase the value of your house.
A new roof might return up to 63 % of your investment. Nice. A good quality roof won’t leak, sag, have broken tiles and will be in great condition. This is one of the first things that most buyers will consider when deciding whether to buy a house or not.
A roofing project (such as an expansion) can increase the value of your house up to £20,000!
It’s a big job to add an extension to a house, but there’s no better time than now. New year, new me and all that. Single-storey expansions contribute roughly 4–7% to the value of a home, whereas double-storey extensions add up to 11%. This is about £26,000 for the average UK home. (And probably even more for homes in beautiful Cornwall!)
And when considering how best to use your newfound space, why not turn a loft conversion into a home office? A home office can add £20,000 to the value of your property. It’s a wise investment. A home office expansion could increase the value of your home by 8.4%. This number is likely to rise as more people choose to (or have to) work from home full-time.
After all, working from home is more cost-effective for businesses. Who doesn’t want a pleasant, functional office space in their house! Putting a home office in your loft is practical as well as valuable. Being in the loft removes you from the hustle and bustle of the main house downstairs.
Exterior parts are very significant since they are the most obvious to purchasers. Your roof should be kept in good condition. After all, it is positioned in a prominent location at the top of your home. It is rather noticeable!
Some common roof problems that home-owners may want to get fixed before selling their houses include:
These could include shingles, tiles, nails, and sealants, amongst other things. Nature is a big contributor to a decaying roof. The best answer is to maintain it on a regular basis. Some of the difficulties must be addressed quickly before they escalate into more serious issues. For example, holes in the roof might allow moisture to leak in and cause damage. Roofing materials that shrink can crack and degrade, and flashing can be pushed apart. Make an appointment with a roofing contractor for a maintenance check. You should identify these problems before they worsen.
If your gutters are clogged and water collects on your roof due to debris piles, the moisture pools and produces stagnant or pooling water. This can cause damage to your roof. Standing water soon develops into mould or mildew. This eats away at the roofing material and causes leaks. You should be cautious about stagnant water if you have a flat roof. The idea is to build tapering patches over the surface that allow water to drain off. Regularly having a skilled contractor inspect your roof will help you avoid long-term issues.
When the sealant that holds your shingles in place wears down, it tends to loosen, crack, or come off entirely. Weather, pests, and general wear and tear can all harm the sealant. Shingles may begin to tear off. This depends on the age of your roof (which is to be expected). The problem is simple to solve. All you have to do is replace the shingle. If you only need a single shingle, some places sell them individually, or you can buy a box and replace those that appear to be causing difficulties. Some homeowners with a background in construction do replace shingles themselves. (If they are not afraid of heights!) We always recommend having a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof before you attempt any DIY yourself… old and damaged rooves could be dangerous to put any weight on top of. Always ask an expert first!
This isn’t such a problem for us down in the sunny South West! But if you live further inland from the coast, or perhaps on a moor, you may experience some very cold snaps. If your home is in a region where your roof is constantly exposed to ice and snow, its life expectancy will be significantly shortened. Roofing issues are more prevalent in the winter. The problem is that because ice water melts slowly, it does not run off quickly enough. This can appear as stagnant water that seeps through the roof and causes problems.
Worse, as temperatures drop in the winter, the water that collects beneath the surface might freeze. When water freezes, it expands and presses against the shingles. This creates a hole that allows more water to enter. By the time spring arrives, you’ve already encountered a slew of roofing issues. January and February are good times to get roofing work done before the damage gets any worse!
Damage from fallen branches is one of the most prevalent roof issues that homeowners encounter.
You would think that only enormous branches can harm your roof. However, smaller branches can come into contact with it and rub against it for an extended length of time. This erodes the roof’s top layer. Trim your tree branches as they approach the ceiling for a remedy. If the tree is a real concern, chop it down and replace it someplace else, especially if you live in a windy or stormy area. To avoid having an even bigger hole in your roof, get a professional tree surgeon or landscaper in to cut down any potentially hazardous trees! Remember, if a prospective homeowner identifies a ‘dodgy’ looking tree, that could be something that decreases the value of your house!
When the roof is new, you may see some granules that fell during the installation process. You may see granules in your downspout. If your roof is somewhat old, this is a sign that your shingles are weakening and should be replaced. Granules are an important component of the roof because they protect it from UV radiation, and if they fall off, the shingles become fragile and split. Clogging in the gutters is one of the first symptoms of falling particles. Unless you have a lot of debris in your gutters, such as leaves and twigs, odds are… your downspouts are clogged with granules! You should replace them.
Roof leaks are by far the most prevalent roofing issue that most homes face. Because of this, fixing a leaky roof will greatly increase the value of your house! Many roof problems, such as broken shingles, could cause leaks. You can see leaks most commonly near the chimney, gutters, flashing points, and vents or pipes. The leak is normally several feet from the penetration, and the best method to find it is to look in the attic. With a flashlight, search the attic for water stains, mould, or black spots. You can only see the problem on the roof if it’s a vaulted ceiling and you can’t get to the attic. Having a professional roofer take care of it is the best method to mend it.
Always remember that we are here to give you advice, come for a roof inspection, and provide quotes on roofing projects. Now is a great time of year to be getting on with home renovations. We look forward to collaborating on your roofing projects and ideas!