Should I add an ensuite? Does it add value & costs

When it comes to putting your home on the market, we all share the same goal. To get as much for our houses as we possibly can. There are numerous ways that people look into when it comes to increasing the value of their properties before putting them on the open market, from full-scale kitchen remodels to garden makeovers. But one of the most common ways that people try to increase the value of their properties is with a new ensuite. 

An ensuite has long been heralded as the way to increase the value of your home and help it sell quicker, but what is the cost of adding an ensuite and does it really increase the value of your home?

In this blog post, we will be looking at how much an ensuite bathroom installation costs, how much value it brings to your home, and whether there is an easier way to sell your house fast.

Ensuite vs typical bathroom

Before we get into whether or not an ensuite bathroom will increase the value of your property, we will first look at what the difference is between an ensuite bathroom and a typical bathroom. An ensuite is a bathroom that is usually adjoined to a master bedroom or another set of rooms. Unlike a bathroom, which is usually accessible to everyone in the house, an ensuite can only be accessed by going through another room first. It will often include everything a typical bathroom has but is often smaller in size.

En suite VS wet room

Whilst often confused for each other, there is a rather large difference between ensuites and wet rooms. Whilst an ensuite can be classed as a wet room, they are not necessarily the same thing. A wet room is an open bathroom which means there's no divider for the shower or shower floor, it all drains away from a drainage point.

As long as an ensuite as long as the floor area is at least 1.5m x 1m, it can become a wetroom.

How much does an ensuite add to value UK?

As a rule of thumb, bathrooms have the potential to add an extra 4-5% onto your home according to data from RESI, however, exactly how much will be added to your property depends upon the size of your bathroom and property, as well as the design of the bathroom and how well it has been executed. If you have spacious rooms with room to spare for an ensuite, then you could find that an ensuite may add value to your property, however, if you are already pushed for space, then a bathroom renovation may not be on the cards for you.

However, it is not just the house itself that makes a difference to the value you can gain, but also the location in the country. As we have already mentioned

How much does an ensuite bathroom cost?

Exactly how much a new ensuite bathroom will cost depends upon the size of the bathroom, as well as where about in the property it is located. As a rule of thumb, a new en-suite bathroom can cost anywhere between £2500-£6000. However, should you need to convert your attic or add an extension, then the price can skyrocket to £25,000 - £50,000.

This means that if you have not already got the space for an ensuite then you are looking at a hefty bill in order to gain an extra 4-5% of your property value. It also means that if you don't have the space, you risk making other rooms in your property smaller as a result which can in turn have a knock-on effect on price.

Does the location of my home affect the value of my en suite?

Whilst on the surface, the decision to have an ensuite fitted seems fairly straightforward, there are plenty of factors you will need to consider. The first factor you should look at when deciding whether an ensuite is for you is to look at the location of your property. Whilst it may sound strange, exactly how much value an en suite bathroom will add, can depend heavily on where in the country you are located.

For example, the average price of a house in Durham last year was £190,361. This means that if you got that crucial 5% of £9,518. However, once you take away the £6000 for the renovation and remodel, you are left with an added value of £3,518. However, if you live in an area with high property prices such as London,where the average cost of a home was £726,255, then the 5% increase becomes £36312. After the deduction of £6000 for the renovation, you are looking at an added value of £30,312.

These are just rough estimates, but it is worth talking to an expert before making the important decision to remodel or renovate your ensuite. 

How much does an ensuite bathrooms size matter?

Adding an ensuite bathroom is a decision that is not be taken lightly, as there are a variety of factors at hand that determine how much value it can add to your property. Location is one factor to consider, as well as the size of the ensuite you wish to have fitted.

Ensuite bathrooms are a great choice as most rooms can be turned into one. However, if the space where you want your dream ensuite bathroom is on the smaller side, then you find that it could work against you. A small en-suite that is taking away space from an already small room can negatively affect the property price. According to data from Showersforyou, 38% of the people they asked said they would rather have no ensuite and a larger bedroom given the choice.

Does removing an ensuite devalue a house?

If you are already in possession of an ensuite bathroom, then you do run the risk of devaluing your property by removing it. It is an extra bathroom for the house, which if you own a three-bedroom house with only one other bathroom, could have a negative knock-on effect on price. Unless the ensuite is a huge inconvenience to you, or you have a different way you wish to use that space, you could end up taking money off your property rather than adding to it.

What adds the most value to a bathroom?

Once you have decided whether an ensuite bathroom is for you, it is time to start looking at the different elements you can add in order to get the most value added to your home. Below are some of the bathroom elements you can add to your ensuite in order to secure the fastest sale.

Upgrade your toilet

Starting off strong, one of the best ways you can increase the value of your property is by upgrading your toilet. Whilst it may not sound like a money maker, low-flow and eco-friendly toilets are all the range at the minute. Friendly for the environment, and also on your wallet, low-flow toilets use less water with each flush, so save you money each time you flush.

If you do not fancy going down the eco-toilet route, another option you can explore is a new toilet with a hidden tank. It is a space-conscious way of sprucing up your bathroom, however, you need to be wary about maintenance, so ask the plumber about fitting an access door or valve that fits the design of the bathroom.

Tiles and Flooring

One of the best ways that you can increase the value of your home with an ensuite bathroom is through your choice of tiling and flooring. It is important to choose materials that are hardwearing and water and heat-resistant. You should also look at the flooring with texture to help grip and reduce the risk of slips.

If you are looking to go all out with your remodel, you could look at adding underfloor heating. They help make your space more heat efficient and are a godsend in the winter months.

Ventilation

It's no secret mould and mildew are the bane of every bathroom owner's existence. If this is an area you particularly struggle with, and you are looking for ways to increase your property's value, then installing a proper ventilation system could be the way to increase the value of your home and shave months of the selling process.

A bathroom fan is a bathroom must-have, helping to dispel moisture in the air and improving air quality. They have the advantage over just using windows to dispel moisture as you can use a bathroom fan all year round, whereas, in the colder months, a bathroom window has its downsides.

Storage

Regardless of the size of your bathroom suite, storage is a key element to consider when remodelling. You want to maximise the existing space at your disposal by adding shelving or built-in cabinets to give your bathroom a more organised look and feel.

Lighting

Any interior designer worth their salt will be able to tell you that lighting plays a key role in the look of any room, and bathrooms are no different. Natural light can be a huge winner for house sellers as not only does it give the bathroom warm, natural lighting throughout the day, it can save them money as they will not need to turn on the bathroom light every time they use it.

However, if you do not have natural light in your bathroom then not to worry, as there are plenty of other options available to you! Think about the purpose of the bathroom, do you want soft, dim light for relaxing baths and showers, or do you want brighter, bolder lighting for those who are using it to get ready on the morning?

Whichever purpose you decide you want your bathroom to serve, the right lighting can make all the difference between selling in the time you want vs staying on the market for months.

Accessories and fixtures

When it comes to an ensuite renovation, it is important that you carefully consider all of the fixtures and fittings that you want to add to your new bathroom. The purpose is to make your bathroom as fully equipt as possible, to drive the price up and get your property sold quickly.

The following items are all worth considering when deciding what to include in your new space:

• new bathroom mirror

• heated towel rails

• shower trays

• new basin

• radiator

• basic electric shower

• vanity unit

Whilst all of these steps can increase your home's value and help you get that all-important quick sale, you still need to bear in mind the cost and time involved vs the outcome. The amount of time it can take to have these items installed in your bathroom and the amount they will cost can often outweigh the amount of value they will add to your property and the time you will spend on the market. Before deciding to give your bathroom a facelift, you should carefully weigh up your other selling options.

Is the cost of adding an ensuite worth it?

Whether or not you should have a new ensuite is down to your own personal choice. If it is a risk you are willing to take then you should go for it. However, you should be wary about the time it will take to properly install, the cost of the ensuite installation itself, as well as any extra costs that can crop up along the way.

However, if you want to avoid the hassle of an ensuite installation and still sell your house fast, then read on, as we may have the solution for you!

Here at The Property Buying Company, we pride ourselves on specialising in house sales that are fast and free. We will buy any house, in any condition, without the need for expensive additions such as ensuite bathrooms and full kitchen remodels. As a genuine cash buyer, we pride ourselves on being able to buy your property in a timescale that suits you, whether that's as long as 3 months or as little as 7 days...

We only require one quick viewing to ensure our original cash offer is correct, and once you accept that offer, that is the amount you get in FULL in your bank.

We are also proud members of the National Association of Property Buyers and The Property Ombudsman, as well as being rated excellent on Trustpilot.

With over 50 years of combined experience, we will buy any house, in any location, in any condition, taking the stress out of house sales. Plus, we cover all fees for you - even the legal ones!

Looking to avoid the hassle of a bathroom renovation? Then give us a call today or fill in our online valuation form to receive a no-obligation CASH offer which we could have in your bank in as little as 7 days...