Research by the HomeOwners Alliance found that it’s the little things that count in securing that all-important good first impression. Having windows and a roof in good condition matter the most to home buyers.
The good news is that you can give your home a fresh new feel, and tick the boxes for home buyers, from as little as £50. Check out our top ten kerb-tastic tasks to set your builder to work on (all example quotes are provided by a sample of FMB members).
Windows in good condition (71%)
The cost of repairing and redecorating wooden windows that have not been touched for a decade would be between £1,000 and £2,000. For upstairs windows, scaffolding may be required instead of a ladder and, if so, it typically costs £400 a day to rent.
![A builder fitting a window](https://www.fmb.org.uk/static/e06f63eb-7938-4361-b25c58b2d69752f2/1000x666_highestperformance_/iStock-Builder-windows.jpg)
A roof that appears in good condition (no missing tiles) (68%)
Replacing five missing, loose or cracked roof tiles would cost around £190 and would take up to one day. Scaffolding may be needed.
![Roofer tiling](https://www.fmb.org.uk/static/994d3d62-8d30-45f1-80c38e05fe207d7c/c64c2d6e-4061-4ec8-9ecd454b9313566c/5649x3766_highestperformance_/iStock-roofer.jpg)
A tidy front garden with no weeds and trimmed hedges (67%)
The cost of tidying an overgrown front garden would be around £150 for a day’s work.
![Image of a gardener landscaping a garden](https://www.fmb.org.uk/static/53210413-e02f-4c70-96b614cd17b0c9df/d164d2c0-4b8e-49f1-be46035be434e61e/3500x2333_highestperformance_/iStock-landscape-gardener3.jpg)
And also:
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A well-maintained pathway/drive (59%) - Repairing and improving the pathway or drive up to the house could typically cost between £100 and £500 depending on the extent of the damage and the surface.
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Well-maintained fences and walls (56%) - Repainting a fence costs about £90 per panel (including labour) while building a new fence could cost up to £1500, depending on the materials used.
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A well-decorated exterior (54%) - It would cost around £550 to repaint the front of a house. Scaffolding may be needed.
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A well-maintained and attractive front door (52%) - Redecorating a front door would typically cost £200.
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Clear functioning gutters (50%) - Clearing and repairing gutters would cost around £250. Scaffolding may be needed.
- Hidden wheelie bins (36%) - A natural willow wheelie bin screen storage costs as little as £49.99.
- A well-lit house (26%) - Adding an exterior light to the house can cost between £250 and £750 and should be completed by a qualified electrician.