Should I remodel my kitchen before selling?

Yes, is the short answer! When selling property, making a lasting impression on potential buyers is key. First and foremost, you want to get the most potential value out of your sale. There are many ways to do this, but none as effective as improving the busiest areas of the house, particularly the kitchen, which tends to be the least up-to-date and highest potential for returns on investment. When selling your house get multiple appraisals with AgentSpot to ensure you get the best price possible. Find out how it works.

Remember, you’re selling the house as a place to live; the buyers need to visualise themselves there, whether it’s making family dinner or entertaining guests, the kitchen is key! Having gone through the dozens of kitchen renovations before selling myself, let me answer some key questions to keep you best informed.

Should you renovate your kitchen before selling? Is it worth remodelling?

Your situation, the state of your home and the added value of the renovation will be the determining factor in answering this question. Be strict with yourself and don’t take this decision lightly! Remember, the key considerations are the cost/return on investment, timing and potential delays, market trends and buyer preferences. Try to achieve a return on investment (ROI) of 50%+, remembering renovations before selling tend to see a better ROI for smaller scale works, rather than complete overhauls. Always balance the risk with reward before coming to a decision, remain objective and pragmatic avoiding hasty or emotional decisions, and be aware of potential knock-on effects of changing your mind.

What is my budget?

As a rule during a kitchen remodel, I would spend 4-8% of a home’s value on a low to medium-budget kitchen renovation, generally no more than 15% for higher budget kitchen renovations, this varies depending on the size of the project. Make sure decisions are made objectively to add value and are realistic for the type and style of property you have, again with that 50% return on investment as a benchmark. Consider both small and larger projects and whether they apply to your situation (painting, flooring, countertops, lighting, cabinets/hardware, changing the layout, installation of appliances) but be wary making decisions that don’t appeal to the masses, a classic look is usually better.

Can I do it myself?

Many people relish the opportunity to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. Any area you can pitch in will save you labour costs but be realistic as to the work and finish you can achieve. Think about how to best use the space you have, reorganising areas that don’t make sense or creating a more open plan concept by removing load-bearing walls. Be wary of undertaking plumbing and tiling and avoid electrical or major structural work by yourself, seek professional advice beforehand. For any work undertaken with a contractor, get at least three quotes to make sure you get the most competitive rate.

How long will it take?

Personally, I aim for 12 weeks for all renovations to be completed, the kitchen being anywhere from 4-6 weeks of this. Obviously, this depends on the complexity of the project and how much time you can put in and remember to factor in additional time if carrying the work out yourself. Be prepared for delays, whether it is materials, labour, or other unforeseen setbacks and budget accordingly.

What are my top tips for renovation?

I can’t stress this enough, the kitchen needs to be the most user-friendly area of the house, consider the practicalities of cooking, the need for adequate preparation and storage space. How it looks is important but not as important as how it functions.

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Think about this before you start, consider where plumbing is and can you work around them, the same for placing of electrical fittings. This is particularly pertinent if doing flooring or building an island in your kitchen. Also, be aware of the space requirements for appliances, creating space for these is much easier before you finalise the layout and various fixings.

The biggest mistake people make is overspending, with almost 60% of domestic projects being put on hold for financial reasons. Be decisive and objective, it’s important to balance between needed updates and going overboard and keep that 50% ROI target in mind when deviating. Plan ahead, buy your appliances in bulk where possible for savings and budget for unforeseen circumstances to avoid/mitigate nasty surprises.

Look-alike lower-budget materials may be suitable for some features, but even with a tight budget, don’t be fooled into thinking you can get away with low-quality materials throughout. Discerning buyers tend to tell the difference, and once they do, no amount of luxury will change their minds!

Be aware of the flow of an area, declutter and minimise wasted space. Don’t be afraid to showcase the more rustic features of your property, timber floors or exposed wood/stonework. Keep décor fresh and neutral, don’t go overboard with fittings and fixtures and give the potential buyer a clean slate and allow them to imagine what they would do.

We all know renovations can be stressful, remain self-reflective but pragmatic. If you feel like you’re panicking take a step back, have a breather, and come at it with renewed vigour. Remember, renovating your kitchen is worthwhile, and once you sell your house you won’t regret it.

The biggest thing to remember before attempting any kitchen renovations before placing your home on the market is to only do something after fully considering its cost, timelines, and that 50% ROI. Above all have fun, the journey can be hard but the reward at the end is well worth it!

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