Planning home improvements can be a daunting task, but take the strain out of it by thinking ahead and looking at all the options before you commit to anything.

Think logically about it; if you are planning to redesign your kitchen then naturally you will lose money to start with but would hope to reap the rewards when you plan to sell the property. However, in Summer 2008, Abbey, part of the Santander group, reported that a new kitchen will only boost your house price by about £5000, which might not seem like a lot more when you take into account the upheaval and lengthy planning involved when considering redesigning your kitchen. The most lucrative of investments is to build an extension, which Abbey reported can increase your home value by approx. £13,500.

Still, one has to question if home improvements really are worth it, and always bear in mind the budget, the value and the need. Do you need to do any home improvements with the budget you have and will it increase the overall value of the property. If not, realistically it is dead money.

For a quick fix, a lick of paint will help sort any issues out and trusty Magnolia is always a favourite with homeowners looking to keep it simple.

To undertake any home improvements, remember that if you are in doubt, avoid it altogether!

guidetohomeimprovements 2008