During the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 56% of Brits engaged in DIY projects around the home with online sales of home improvement and gardening retail products growing by almost 50%.
A new study by CIA Landlord has found the most popular and most valuable DIY projects you can undertake to improve the value of your home. The study reveals the most cost-effective DIY projects Brits can easily undertake and how much more prospective homeowners and renters are willing to pay for a home with these features.

A HOME OFFICE is the most valuable DIY feature with 27% of Brits wanting one in their future home.

With so many Brits working from home, it’s no surprise that a home office is the most valuable addition to your home. Landlords and homeowners wishing to up their homes market price should consider installing the home office of roughly £1,715 to significantly improve its value.

When creating a home office, it’s important to use your space effectively and avoid creating a cluttered environment if the room is smaller than average. Creating a poor home office could put you or your tenant’s health at risk so it’s important to consider all the aspects you would find in a regular office. A good Wi-Fi connection is crucial, as well as a plug extension with multiple sockets, a monitor, speakers, and a chair that supports your neck and back. When choosing a space, look for lots of natural daylight and a colour scheme which is either neutral shades like grey and cream to avoid distractions or incorporate purple or yellow which is known to stimulate the imagination.

New carpets, curtains, and lights are some of the most valuable and affordable DIY projects Brits can do.
Most manufacturers advise replacing a carpet every 10 years, as signs of wear show on the major walkways. Costing typically, £700 pounds to install, 43% of women in the UK say they would pay more for a home with this feature. New curtains on the other hand cost only £23.50 to do yourself and 25% of people looking to rent would pay a significant amount more for this affordable feature.
New lights are another simple and cost-effective DIY project costing as little as £7. However, with more than 28% of Brits willing to pay more for new lights in a home, this simple installation is not to be overlooked.
Painted floorboards, cabinets and sinks are the least valuable DIY projects you can undertake in your home.
Conversely, while painting your cabinets and sinks is an affordable task to take on, less than 10% of Brits deem value to the upgraded features. Painting your floorboards garners a similar response throughout the UK in everywhere but Northern Ireland, where 24% are willing to fork out more for a home with the £24 project carried out.

While a home bar seems beneficial in theory, prices start from £1,610 to install yourself and only 14% of the UK feel it adds much value to a prospective home.