YES. Installing a driveway will add value to your property.
The value of your property will increase (on average) anywhere between 2% and 10% (2022) when you have a new driveway installed. The increase in value will depend on the location of the property, the materials used, the size, and the impact of the kerb appeal.
In this guide, we look at whether a new driveway will add value to your home, whether that’s for resale purposes, or because you’ve made the decision to stay put. As expert driveway installers we’ve seen and installed everything from a basic concrete driveway to an all-singing and dancing resin-bound driveway, expertly edged with contrasting block paving.
Keep reading to find out how and why a driveway will add value (regardless of the upfront costs).
Is It Worth Getting A New Driveway?
A new driveway is an affordable home improvement. When it comes to adding value to your home, it’s not the first item on the list of recommended improvements, nor the one that necessarily will add the most value, but it will add value. In today’s economic climate, anything that adds value is worth considering.
Before taking the plunge and booking your driveway installation for 2023 look at the street, cul-de-sac, avenue, or lane outside your home. Are there plenty of on-street parking spaces, or do you find yourself leaving work early just so you can get a space somewhere relatively close to where you live? If it’s the second option, then installing a driveway should be moving up your ‘wanted’ list of renovations rapidly.
Imagine no longer having to mow the front lawn. Stop there for a second. Not only will it save you a good few hours a year watering, fertilising, weeding, and maintaining your perfectly manicured lawn (to keep up with the Jones’s next door), your new driveway will be virtually maintenance-free. If you’re looking for a way to save precious time, you might just have found the solution! You’ll also be doing the environment a favour too by not adding chemicals to the mix.
Now picture this. You’ve just done the BIG shop. No, the BIG shop. It’s still 2022 remember, and you haven’t got a driveway (yet). You’re late. It’s cold, and it’s snowing. There are no parking spaces available in your street. Nope. No parking spaces available on the next street either.
Do you:
- Leave the BIG shop in the car, and hope it stops snowing soon (so you can come back later)?
- Stay in the car (with the heater still turned on) hoping it stops snowing soon (and hoping the frozen food doesn’t start to defrost)?
- Make two (no three) trips with the BIG shop back to the house (and wish you’d had the driveway installed sooner)?
Joking aside. We’ve all been there. At some point, we’ve all tried hard to manifest that elusive parking space. Having your own driveway means that you never have to worry about finding a space when getting home from the BIG shop again.
An article published by John Minnis Property in June 2022, quoted research conducted by Ideal Homes. They found that 84% of homeowners looking to buy a new home, said that not having a driveway could be a deal breaker which means that only 16% of the respondents questioned would buy a house without one. You can read the full article here. If selling your home is something you’re considering, installing a driveway could be the solution to getting a premium price and a quick sale.
Could A Driveway Save Me Money?
Great question! It’s another YES. Having a new driveway installed could save you money. Most insurers reduce your policy premium if you park your car on a driveway overnight. And in the last paragraph, we talked about saving money too. Where on-street parking is limited, you may need to purchase a residential parking permit; some of these are in excess of £1,000 per annum. That’s another saving right there.
Is Having A Driveway Safer?
YES. It’s safer for your car AND your children. A well-lit driveway acts as a natural deterrent to car thieves; if there’s an easier target parked on the road, that will always be their first choice. More cars are stolen and broken into when parked on the street. Having your car parked where you can ‘see’ it overnight, and where your CCTV cameras can capture any motion, will always make your car less of a target.
If your home is on a busy street, and you have children, getting them into the car safely on the street can be a hazard that’s worth avoiding. It’s not just about worrying about oncoming vehicles, you also need to make sure you’ve got enough room to open the doors wide enough to get the children out safely. Then there’s the hassle of swapping the car seats into another household vehicle when the need arises. Having your own driveway will give you all the room you need to keep everyone safe.
Summary
Having a driveway installed will add more than just value to your property. It will add convenience, kerb appeal, and safety. It will also save you time and money. It’s always a good idea to do some research, as with any home improvement – remember to ask your local estate agents for their advice. We’ve yet to install a driveway that didn’t add value!
At ALS Landscaping our mission is to provide YOU with the driveway of your dreams, amongst other things. And in our usual way, we’re NOT afraid to tell you the truth about whether having a new driveway installed will add value to your property.
ALS Landscaping is different. We’re experts and we’ve been installing driveways for more than twenty years. We’re Premier Brett Approved installers, which means that when you trust us to install your driveway you get more than just a dream driveway, it comes with a ten-year product guarantee and a five-year installation guarantee! Click the image below to find out more.
If you’re ready to get in touch, complete the quote request here and we’ll be in touch.
