How much does your house price grow? a study by Squire’s Garden Centre

Emily Maltby 24/06/2014

Make sure you take good care of your topiary and prune your bushes as you can reap massive financial rewards from a beautiful green space

A garden can add around ?115,000 to the value of a property in London

Your garden is officially the most financially rewarding “room” in your house.A study by Squire’s Garden Centres?has found that those in London with an area of green space have added as much as ?115,000 to the value of their property.

The survey of 1,500 people revealed that 95% of amateur gardeners spend half a day in the garden every week, with 91% spending more than two hours.

These savvy gardeners aren?t just keeping their green space beautiful and their green fingers fit and healthy, but they?re also adding considerable value to their property.

Peter Kavanagh, managing director and senior surveyor of Romans Property Group Professional Services, agrees that a well-kept garden adds around 10% to the house value.

?In Twickenham, where the average price of a three-bedroom house?is around ?700,000 and a four bedroom property is ?1,115,000, that puts the value of a well kept garden conservatively anything between ?70,000 and ?115,000 ? or more.

“A great return on some TLC for your outside oasis.?Having outside entertaining space is important for young families [GETTY]

Jen Butcher of Property Potential Surrey, a home?search consultancy, explains: “Viewing a home with an attractive garden is all part of the fantasy of moving to a bigger space.”A scruffy and unloved garden, on the other hand, can carry a heavy penalty ? as untamed gardens are all too often seen as overwhelming and literally put people off before they?ve even got out of the car.

“The garden is one of the most used ?rooms? in the house, and homeowners?can boost their garden ? and investment ? with a well maintained plot.”

So what?s the top must-have for house-buyers?

Jen adds that the outside entertaining space wins hands down. “The garden is absolutely seen as an additional room for entertaining ? from barbecues in high summer to al fresco drinks on cooler evenings.?

Sprucing up the outside entertaining space is easy to do with BBQs, garden furniture, gazebos and ready-planted hanging baskets.

Whether you have young children with space dominated by a child-friendly lawn, or are empty-nesters with beautiful borders, you need to present your garden at its best to potential buyers, whatever stage it is in its life cycle.”Well-kept driveways and flowerbeds have instant impact when buyers arrive at your property?for the first time,” says Jen.

Sarah Squire, of Squire?s Garden Centres, adds: “Even potting up a few plants in attractive pots, cleaning patios and tidying hedges and edges can make a massive difference.

“However you choose to garden, whether it?s on a large scale or just a seasonal refresh, you can be sure it?s a good investment.”

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