You invest in your home thinking it will serve you well for years. But if you’re constantly battling high bills, peeling paint, or rooms that feel damp and drafty, your home might be working against you. For homeowners and landlords looking to reduce long‑term costs, increase property value, or avoid ongoing maintenance, the key is to make smart renovations, not just stylish ones.
A well-planned home improvement can increase a property’s value by up to 15%. From energy-efficient installations to durable finishes like polished plaster, the right renovations can help you save money in the long run, all while improving your living space.
Rather than focusing on purely aesthetic changes, it’s important to make upgrades that reduce ongoing expenses and enhance the overall function of your home. In this article, we’ll walk you through five upgrades that pay for themselves over time.
1. Energy‑Efficient Upgrades That Slash Utility Bills
One of the best ways to save money over time is by reducing your energy costs. According to the Energy Saving Trust, installing proper heating controls like a programmer, thermostat, and thermostatic radiator valves, could save a household around £110 a year in the UK. These small savings add up over time.
You can start with:
- Proper insulation (roof, wall, floor) to retain heat and reduce demand on heating systems.
- Smart heating controls, or a smart thermostat, for more efficient control.
- Upgrade to energy efficient windows and doors to prevent heat loss.
By reducing energy usage, you are not only saving on bills but also enhancing the property’s value by making it more efficient and attractive to tenants or buyers.
2. Choose Wall Finishes That Do Not Need Constant Upkeep
Cheap paint jobs may save you money up front, but they tend to peel, stain, or degrade and need retouching every few years. A more durable approach: finishes like polished plaster or clay walls, which are beautiful but also resistant to wear and moisture.
Polished plaster is much more long-lasting compared to paint. Plaster can last over 100 years if maintained properly, whereas traditional paint may need redoing every 5‑10 years.
By investing in a high‑quality, low‑maintenance finish you avoid the recurring cost of repainting, tile grout cleaning, spot repairs, and aesthetic refreshes. Companies like Evoke Polished Plastering provide polished‑plaster finishes that hold up strongly in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, reducing the need for retile replacements or mould‑cleaning cycles.
3. Invest in Durable, Low‑Maintenance Flooring
Flooring is one of the most used and highly impacted surfaces in any property. Repeated wear‑and‑tear on flooring is often a costly recurring renovation expense. Instead of cheap carpets or low‑grade laminate that may need replacement every few years, consider opting for materials that last.
Choose materials such as:
- Engineered wood or hardwood floors rather than basic carpet
- Porcelain or stone tile in high‑traffic areas
- Quality surface finishes that are easy to clean, durable, and resist staining
Engineered or hardwood floors cost more upfront, but because they last longer and require less frequent replacement, the lifetime cost is lower. Fewer maintenance calls means less downtime between tenants (for landlords), higher property value and lower risk of damage all add up to savings.
4. Upgrade to Smart Home Technology
Smart home tech is more than a trend, it can be a great tool for reducing ongoing costs. Integrating smart home devices means you can control lighting, heating, and ventilation more precisely. For example, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule heating only when needed, remotely control your system, and avoid wasting energy. Smart energy control like heating systems help lower not just carbon footprint but also energy bills.
By installing this technology, you reduce monthly bills, extend equipment life (less wear from constant heating/cooling), and increase your property’s appeal to tech‑savvy tenants or buyers. Over time, this means fewer surprises, fewer repair bills, and better returns.
5. Update Your Bathroom and Kitchen Fittings
Kitchens and bathrooms are among the highest‑use and highest‑wear spaces in any home. A smart renovation here can significantly reduce repair and maintenance costs while boosting value. The average cost of renovating a bathroom and a kitchen can cost anywhere between £6,000 to £10,000. But if you approach with the right strategy, you get more value and fewer future costs.
Key moves include:
- Installing high‑quality worktops and fittings that are resistant to wear and stains
- Upgrading to energy‑efficient appliances (dishwasher, fridge‑freezer, boiler) to reduce power usage and maintenance
- Opting for materials that are low maintenance (e.g., sealed stone or composite counters rather than cheap chipboard)
- Choosing ergonomic layouts that reduce strain and damage over time
For landlords, the ROI on kitchen/bathroom upgrades is strong because you not only reduce maintenance costs but also reduce void periods (when a property is out of use) and increase rental appeal.
Conclusion
Your home should work for you, not against you. By focusing on some smart renovation areas – energy‑efficiency, durable finishes, strong flooring, smart tech, and robust kitchens/bathrooms – you can boost your home investment. For homeowners and landlords alike, it’s not about making the quick fix, it’s about making the right one.
Smart upgrades reduce monthly bills, minimise maintenance overheads, and boost your property’s value. And if you need help figuring out how your property fits into your broader wealth or investment strategy, drop us a line at Circadian Capital.