Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8RZ, UK
01483 266 666
enquiries@oakwoodms.co.uk
Oakwood Mortgage Services Oakwood Mortgage Services
  • Mortgages
    • First Time Buyer Mortgages
    • Remortgages
    • Buy To Let Mortgages
    • Help To Buy Mortgages
    • Equity Release
    • New Build
    • Complex Income Mortgages
      • Mortgages for Medical Professionals
      • Newly Self Employed
      • Contractors
      • Portfolio & Landlord
  • Services
    • Protection
      • The value of Protection
      • Life Insurance
      • Critical Illness Insurance
      • Income Protection Insurance
    • Pension Planning
      • The value of retirement planning
      • What is a Personal Pension?
      • Pensions & Divorce
    • Investments
      • Asset-backed Investments
      • Deposit Based Investment
    • At Retirement
      • Your Retirement options
      • Income Drawdown
      • Enhanced Annuities
    • TAX
      • Inheritance Tax
      • Capital Gains Tax
      • Civil Partnerships
    • Business Protection
      • Key Person Insurance
      • Partnership Protection
      • Shareholder Protection
    • Home Insurance
      • Home and Contents Insurance
  • About
    • Our People
    • Testimonials
      • Past Testimonials
    • Locations
      • Financial Advice Surrey
      • Financial Advice Cranleigh
      • Financial Advice Woking
      • Financial Advice Guildford
      • Financial Advice Horsham
      • Financial Advice Dorking
      • Financial Advice Leatherhead
      • Financial Advice Godalming
      • Financial Advice Redhill
      • Financial Advice Crawley
    • Careers
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Portfolio
  • Contact

Home improvement

015th February 201915th February 2019
By Oakwood Mortgage ServicesIn General

Whether you’re renovating your home because it’s too expensive to move or you’ve only just bought the place and you’re keen to make your mark, it’s important to stick to jobs that will add value rather than risk reducing its future sale price.

Before you embark on improving your home, follow our tips to help make sure you focus on jobs that will add value if and when you come to sell:

Check your deeds

There may be restrictions on what you can do and you may need planning permission – especially if the changes affect a boundary or your property’s external appearance.

Avoid removing bedrooms

You may want to knock down a wall and convert that box bedroom into a large en-suite, but a three-bedroom semi-detached is naturally going to sell for more than a two-bed.

Be commercially-minded

Consider the neighbourhood you live in and the types of buyers likely to want to live there. Spending money re-landscaping your garden and laying turf and borders may not appeal to a younger professional couple who just want low-maintenance outside space for entertaining.

Avoid personalisation

Unless you are prepared to redecorate when you come to sell, try and use neutral colours on walls and doors. You can always introduce bold, bright or dark colours in soft furnishings and ornaments to achieve the effect you want.

Check the paperwork

If you’re looking at a bigger undertaking such as converting your loft into a bedroom, make sure you have the correct paperwork and certification, otherwise the money you spend may not be realised in the sale price.

Hire a professional

Avoid a DIY disaster by only taking on projects you are confident you can complete.

Check your policy

If you’re going to make any major changes to your home you should contact your buildings and contents insurance provider first to avoid unintentionally invalidating your policy. And make sure your policy covers you for accidental damage caused during your DIY efforts.

Top 10 DIY nightmares:

  1. Woodchip wallpaper
  2. Mirrored ceilings
  3. Carpeted bathrooms
  4. Ugly blinds
  5. Fake beams
  6. Outside toilet
  7. Artex ceilings
  8. Internal stone cladding
  9. Beaded curtains in doorways
  10. External stone cladding

Top 10 DIY dreams:

  1. Interior redecoration
  2. Flooring replaced
  3. New bathroom
  4. Garden makeover
  5. New kitchen
  6. New boiler/ central heating system
  7. Double glazing / new windows
  8. New shed or garden building
  9. Exterior redecoration
  10. Better insulation

If you’re looking to fund your home renovations please speak to us for advice.

Why active investing is more effective in volatile marketsConfused about pension planning?

Share this post?

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

More posts

  • Popular
  • Latest
2018: the half year report
What life insurance is best for your joint mortgage?
Is your Help to Buy deal ending?
The cost of retirement
Happy 21st to the ISA
Business Protection. You need it more than ever!
Spreading the risk
Mortgage Payment Update November 2020

Stamp Duty Calculator


Your calculation


Stamp Duty Due:
Band
Rate
Amount
Total
Up to


Please note: This calculator is provided as a guide only on how much stamp duty land tax you will need to pay in England and Northern Ireland. It assumes that the property is freehold and for residential purposes.

Blog Archives

Services

  • Mortgages
  • Protection
  • Pensions
  • Investments

Recent Posts

  • Happy 21st to the ISA 7th January 2021
  • Business Protection. You need it more than ever! 16th December 2020
  • Spreading the risk 10th December 2020

Open Hours

  • Monday9:00 - 17:00
  • Tuesday9:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday9:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday9:00 - 17:00
  • Friday9:00 - 17:00

Socials

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

Google Rating
5.0
Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd
Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd
5.0
Sharon Price
Sharon Price
15:30 12 Aug 20
In these current times Stuart has assisted me with a temporary solution to my mortgage issues which went very smoothly. I will be working with Stuart again very soon to change mortgage product completely. Thank you Oak wood Mortgage Services
Ben Brown
Ben Brown
16:38 31 Jul 20
I would like to say a huge thank you to Oakwood Mortgage Services and in particular to Richard Burley who seems capable of working miracles, particularly when dealing with the complicated applications of a sportsman. Richard’s calm manner and problem solving have been brilliant over the years and allowed both Katie and I to stay relaxed and in control during stressful house buying moments, as well as helping us to navigate the the complex buy-to-let market! We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Richard and Oakwood mortgage services ahead of moving house next week, and I would highly recommend their services. In particular I would recommend them to other sports people who have previously struggled with mortgage companies based on our short contracts and the potentially volatile nature of our work. Thanks again Richard. Ben and Katie
Gwenie Ralph
Gwenie Ralph
20:57 06 Jul 20
I gave Stuart at Oakwood Mortgage services a challenge of finding me an impossible mortgage. I knew I wouldn't get exactly what I wanted, but he came up with some nice surprises. He explained everything, not pushy at all, a friendly and professional approach. Thank you
nicky Myers
nicky Myers
19:17 25 May 20
We were first time buyers and dealt with Richard around the mortgage application. He helped us understand each process, explaining everything thoroughly and came to meet us twice where he was very personal and efficient. Dave took us through the building and contents and life insurance process, again coming to meet us in person and took us through the options, step by step. Dave was very communicative and answered any questions we had.Emma was there throughout this process and on hand with any urgent queries we had and was a delight to deal with.They managed to make it all happen, even during lockdown!Highly recommend Richard, Dave, Emma and Oakwood. We are very happy in our new home!
Daniella Castro Gouveia
Daniella Castro Gouveia
11:31 19 May 20
I have worked with a number of the Oakwood team over many years and they are all excellent and totally professional at what they do. Dave came to our family home a few years ago to discuss and advise us in terms of financial insurance. He was very knowledgeable, really easy to talk to. Sometimes discussing financial things can be quite tricky to understand, but I felt at complete ease with Dave. I would highly recommend speaking to him if you need insurance or even need a mortgage as he covers both areas. Thanks for all your support Dave. It's always good to have someone who has your back!
Richard Craven
Richard Craven
19:12 03 May 19
Stuart was excellent, helped me obtain a mortgage quickly and painlessly with minimal effort and was always ready to promptly answer any questions I had.
Andrew South
Andrew South
17:50 26 Mar 19
Stuart was very profession and friendly, He was there to help when something went wrong.Highly recommend!!
Ian L
Ian L
13:45 03 Jan 19
When we started looking for a house, we contacted Stuart based on a work colleague's recommendation. Having not bought a house in the UK before, we had a lot of questions.Stuart guided us through the process and was always available to answers questions and provide advice that was easy to understand.We had a protracted period between initial contact and purchase, in this time Stuart was patient, professional and provided us with a high level of confidence that we were in capable hands.A huge thank you to Stuart and the staff at Oakwood, we would not hesitate to recommend them.Ian and Yoosun
Claire Vince
Claire Vince
22:13 21 Dec 18
Great service. Paul talked us through everything really clearly and made the whole process very smooth and straightforward. We have recommended Oakwood to friends as a result.
Christopher Relph
Christopher Relph
23:27 29 Aug 18
The team is very friendly, professional and knowledgeable on their given subject. My situation was rather unusual and my options were very limited, if i had tried on my own i wouldn't have found the best deal for me. The information provided to me was well presented and insightful, if anything was unclear they made sure that i understood things fully. In the end they found the best deal out there that ticked all the boxes i needed and went above and beyond. To make sure i wasn't put into a position i couldn't afford to be in Stuart would go to an agent and tell them when things weren't possible, even when they were insistent on getting a deal, Stuart had my back in it!I can't recommend them enough, and will be returning to them down the line myself!
Sam Eccles
Sam Eccles
15:35 24 Jul 18
Top notch service. Friendly, prompt and accessible no matter where you are based (I'm in the Highlands). Much better service than that experienced by local face-to-face advisers with a large portfolio of companies that ensure you can get the mortgage to suit your needs. Have happily referred to others in less than usual circumstances, all of whom have come away delighted
Michelle Ames
Michelle Ames
18:20 07 Jul 18
Highly recommend. We were first time buyers and Stuart made the process simple and efficient. We found our property and made an offer on the spot, but the agents needed to speak to Stuart before stopping further viewings, so he dropped everything whilst at a conference and the rest is history. Buying a house is an emotional time, so having the mortgage element handled by a professional, yet down to earth person like Stuart was invaluable to us. Thanks Stuart.
Next Reviews
powered by Google
Terms of use | Privacy Policy
The information on this website is for use of the residents of the United Kingdom only. No representations are made as to whether the information is applicable or available in any other country which may have access to it. | Oakwood Mortgage Services © 2019 | All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy Policy