All across the country homeowners are faced with the age-old conundrum – move or improve? With strong growth in property prices in Hertfordshire and the high cost of moving, many Hertfordshire home owners in the county are deciding to turn their current property into their dream Hertfordshire home rather than move. House extensions can transform a house that’s been outgrown, and home improvements can completely change how the interior space can be used.
Hertfordshire home improvements
A YouGov survey for property maintenance company Bold & Reeves discovered that almost two-thirds of homeowners (63%), believe that there is more value in home improvement than in moving.
In the East of England region, which includes Hertfordshire, the number of home improvement applications grew by a staggering 14%. This is compared to an already buoyant national figure of 6%. These startling statistics were revealed in the 2017 Barbour ABI Home Improvers Report produced in collaboration with the Federation of Master Builders. The report tracks planning applications for home improvements.
The Home Improvers of Great Britain 2017 report, shows that in the East of England region there were 58,500 applications for home improvement. This puts our region in the top three position for planned home improvements.
Half of Hertfordshire districts feature in the top 10 for home improvements out of 40 districts and unitary authorities within the East of England. Hotspots for property improvements are St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Welwyn Hatfield and East Hertfordshire.
| Rank | District | Applications per 100 private homes | Growth (2016 v 2015/2014) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 6.5 | 51% |
| 2 | Uttlesford | 5.6 | - 5% |
| 3 | St Albans | 5.6 | 12% |
| 4 | Three Rivers | 5.0 | 23% |
| 5 | Hertsmere | 4.9 | 19% |
| 6 | Brentwood | 4.4 | 19% |
| 7 | Welwyn Hatfield | 4.2 | 15% |
| 8 | Epping Forest | 4.2 | 11% |
| 9 | East Hertfordshire | 3.7 | 14% |
| 10 | South Cambridgeshire | 3.5 | 23% |
If you’re one of those who has decided to its more cost-effective and more convenient to improve rather than move, then Abbey Building Services and Maintenance could help. Contact Richard Bamforth at Abbey on 07818 061505 or send an email.