Renovate or sell: what to work out first
A checklist of what to work out before spending big on a renovation instead of selling.
- Ask a registered valuer what the work would add to value; it is often less than it costs.
- List what you would save on running costs, such as heating and maintenance, and compare it with the spend.
- Get several quotes on each big item and check the house for structural problems first.
- Staging the work over a few years spreads the cost and lets you live in the house meanwhile.
- Ask your insurer whether insulation or heating upgrades change your premium.
Check the details. Ask a registered valuer what a renovation would add, then your accountant and lawyer about cost and tax.
Shortened from a Berry article first written 2026-05-17. Figures we could not check against a public source were taken out. This is general information, not advice.