On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 14:11:27 +0000, saat wrote:

Hi, I`m intending to have some work done on my house, and I`m
wondering what effect the following things would have on the property
value.
Firstly, off-road parking is going to make a difference of some
degree, but what I`d like to know is how do the various options
compare, i.e. block paving, concrete, tarmac or gravel. Someone has
told me that "only block paving ads value", someone else has said "it
dosn`t make a difference as long as there`s off-road parking".

I don't know how it is in general, and it is a bit of a case of "one
man's meat...", so...

All points IMHO:

Any off-road parking adds value. Definitely. It would be rare to get a
buyer who misses the bit of garden that used to be the drive.

Concrete's the worst appearance wise, unless it's that finished patterned
stuff that looks like paving, in which case it depends on how well it's
done. Blocks are a fashion trend, which doesn't mean I don't like them. I
don't particularly like new-red-brick blockwork, because everyone's got it
and it seems a bit trite to me. But it's functional and I don't hate it
with a vengeance either. Tarmac's nice if done properly but don't drop
engine oil on it and gravel can be nice, but need maintenance
(levelling/compacting) if you wish to retain a non loose surface.
Actually, railway ballast isn't bad for a car standing, I've done that
before. Drains well and looks OK in small areas next to greenery. Does
silt up and get weeds though.

I think, if the driveway is basically OK and presentable, in any medium,
it's presence will add some value or at least leave a good impression.

In short, I'd put gravel and concrete at the bottom of the list and
look at paving/blockwork. But try to do something pleasing to the eye and
functional, eg: will it survive a car jack with a 2" wide base on it? BTW,
reclaimed railway ballast makes an *excellent* foundation for any type of
drive, if rammed down with a vibroplate compactor, which is easy to use.
Useless tip: 8" compacts to 6" for your volume calculations.

Secondly, what kind of per cent would turning the loft into a fourth
bedroom increase the value by?

Quite a bit I would have thought, but of course it will cost a fair bitto
do.

3-4 upgrade makes a noticeable difference if you have a couple of kids,
so I would consider the types of buyers you get in your area. Leave some
flexibility (someone could use it as a study).

Thanks
Mark

Most of all, have you paid the local estate agents a visit. I've found
many are quite happy to have a chat and offer some (non binding, no
liability implied etc) opinions and some generalised off the cuff numbers.

HTH

Tim