Flat Roof & Adding Value

Oct 23, 2003 6 Replies

If a terraced house (in an area popular with first time buyers) has a kitchen extension with a flat roof, would the construction of a "regular" roof usually add value to the house?



i.e. add more to the value of the property than the cost of constructing the roof



Anyone have any opinions?


I can't see why it would. The more likely scenario is that it would detract from the value if the flat roof were in a poor state of repair.

Is the kitchen extension of relatively recent construction with a felted roof? Is it possible that the foundations and construction are adequate for a room to built on it at first floor level?

This would need building regulations approval and probably planning permission, but if the potential is there it could be a selling point but probably not lead to a higher price.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

First time buyers don't really look at the roof construction I find. They're more likely to look at a second loo or beautiful kitchen and living room before asking about the roof. However, a surveyor will want to look more closely at the type and construction of any extensions or other add ons.

If you did put a different roof on top, wouldn't it effect the upstairs windows ?

You wouldn't be adding a new facility that the property needs. I doubt an estate agent would value the house any higher, and it's not something that's going to be on a buyers list of requirements. It might possibly improve the chance of a sale going through if the existing roof looks bad. But it's not something that's cheap or easy. If you're looking to add value, I'd look elsewhere IIWY.

-Duncan

You can use a 12.5 degree pitch roof which will probably avoid affecting the upstairs windows.

I suppose, if the existing roof isn't already to close to them.

Hello MrHappyChap

Around here, there's not much you can do to "add value" - the location is everything, and there's such a huge pressure that costs just keep on increasing despite anything.

Eg, last house. I spent around 15k improving it. Went up in value from

90k to 125k in five years. I then sold it and it was sold a year later for 250k with nothing extra done to improve it.

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