10 Home Improvements Every Home Owner Should Consider

26 February 2016

As we approach retirement it is important to keep our properties updated and consider if any issues are in need of attention. 

Leaving larger repairs or improvements until you are living on a retirement income could considerably eat into your available funds, so getting your house ship-shape before retirement is a good idea. 

Whether you have just bought your home in the build-up to retirement, or you have been living there for years, chances are there are a few improvements you could carry out that will make a huge difference to the look, feel and value of your home. 

Work your way through our list below and your home is sure to benefit from the time and money spent on it.

1. Get curb appeal: Keep your fencing in good repair, replacing and repainting if necessary. For a clever alternative to wooden fencing, look into the uPVC option. They look exactly the same as wooden fences but require almost no maintenance – and simply slide into your existing concrete posts like a normal timber panel.
   
   
2. Flooring: You can’t go wrong with real hard wood flooring; it will last decades or more if maintained properly and will never go out of style. For a similar look with a smaller price tag, laminate flooring will last a good 10-20 years. Where you have carpet, aim to replace every ten years.
   
   
3. Check windows: Consider the condition of your windows and frames. If they aren’t already double-glazed, then an upgrade could save you a decent amount of money over the years in heating bills. 
   
   
4. Your hallway: The entrance to your home but really is an opening statement to guests about your taste and style. Light coloured paint or wallpaper with a mirror on the wall will give the illusion of space. Install an elegant chandelier to bring a sense of style to your home’s entranceway, and have dark staircases painted white to complement the lighter colour scheme.
   
   
5. Update the kitchen: If your kitchen has seen better days then consider installing a new one to add some decent value to your home. Alternatively, achieve a new look by updating the cupboard doors, worktops and handles, then give the whole room a repaint to freshen up. 
   
   
6. Feature fireplace: Every lounge needs a focal point and a stylish fireplace and surround will provide just this, as well as adding some real warmth to your property. With hundreds of options to choose from, you are bound to find one that fits in perfectly with the individual style of your home.
   
   
7. Consider solar panelsOnce you have paid for the installation of solar panels then you can get paid for the electricity you generate. The UK government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme pays you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it. Plus, if your system is producing more electricity than you need, you can sell the surplus back to the grid through the Feed-in Tariff scheme.
   
   
8. Modernise the bathroom: Coloured suites went out with shell suits and mullets, so if your bathroom is sporting a turquoise or apricot bath, then you could add some real value to your home by updating. You can’t go wrong with a white suite, neutral tiles on the walls and new chrome taps. A newly tiled floor will complete the look (check they are non-slip floor tiles).
   
   
9. Add a conservatory: Add ‘a touch of glass’ to your home and you will enjoy the extra living space all year through. Enhance the feeling of space and flow by installing the same flooring throughout your downstairs living area; it will lead the eye on and ensure your conservatory feels part of the rest of the house.
   
   
10. Install a wood burning stove A wood-burning stove, or log burner, is a traditional eco-friendly renewable energy source that will complement any room and can greatly reduce your home fuel bill in retirement. The cheapest way to fuel your log burner is to collect or buy the wood and dry it out yourself, but this does take time (sometimes up to two years). You can buy ready-dried wood, although naturally this will cost a lot more. 

Could a retirement income product enable you to carry out home improvements?

Since the pension freedoms came into play, those of us approaching retirement can tap into our pension funds to unlock the money we need for home improvements, holidays, or anything else we choose. The remaining money can be left to continue to grow, or can be taken as a regular income.

If you are over 55 and looking to boost your finances using your pension fund, either in the build-up to your retirement or as part of your longer-term retirement plan, then speak to one of our retirement income specialists today and discover what we could do for you.

Speak to one of our retirement income experts today and find out if you we could get you a bigger income from your pension fund. Call 0800 652 1316.