Brits aiming for gardens
- Published: 15/08/2007
A significant proportion of Brits are hoping to improve their gardens so that they can spend more time relaxing in their 'extra room', a new report claims.
The study, from Alliance & Leicester, revealed that around 33 per cent of people would favour spending more time in their gardens, or on their terraces and balconies, if these areas were made more attractive.
The most popular outside space improvement would be a floral makeover, with 49 per cent of respondents saying that they would like to splash out on some new trees, shrubs and plants.
A further 33 per cent said that they would opt for a multi-purpose patio or patio decking, while 32 per cent claimed that they would look to light up their outside space with a large patio and lamp posts.
"Homeowners can do a wide variety of things that have the potential to increase the value of their property. Having extra outdoor space that can be used throughout the year is very attractive to potential buyers," Russell Jervis, managing director of Haart estate agents, said.
"At Haart we estimate a conservatory adds about 15 per cent to property prices and a patio or decking adds about five per cent. This means that having a gleaming conservatory could increase the value by £30,000, with decking or a patio adding around £10,000 - both sums not to be sniffed at."
The study, from Alliance & Leicester, revealed that around 33 per cent of people would favour spending more time in their gardens, or on their terraces and balconies, if these areas were made more attractive.
The most popular outside space improvement would be a floral makeover, with 49 per cent of respondents saying that they would like to splash out on some new trees, shrubs and plants.
A further 33 per cent said that they would opt for a multi-purpose patio or patio decking, while 32 per cent claimed that they would look to light up their outside space with a large patio and lamp posts.
"Homeowners can do a wide variety of things that have the potential to increase the value of their property. Having extra outdoor space that can be used throughout the year is very attractive to potential buyers," Russell Jervis, managing director of Haart estate agents, said.
"At Haart we estimate a conservatory adds about 15 per cent to property prices and a patio or decking adds about five per cent. This means that having a gleaming conservatory could increase the value by £30,000, with decking or a patio adding around £10,000 - both sums not to be sniffed at."