Annexes are currently seeing a boom across the UK which leads to the question – does an Annexe add value to the price of your property? In short, the answer is yes, but it is certainly not simply in monetary terms. An Annexe can add value to a family home in many ways.
Let us walk you through some of the reasons why annexes are so popular across the UK and how they can benefit people’s lives; be it for elderly care, helping a younger family member to gain independence or simply for additional living space and entertainment needs.
The Rising Popularity of Annexes
Since the pandemic began in 2020, the number of people working on and making changes to their properties has rocketed across the UK.
More time at home during a series of national lockdowns meant homeowners had the time and desire to make the plans for improvement that they may have previously been putting off.
“Studies show a 300% increase in the number of properties now choosing to add an additional home to their garden.”
A recent study by Property Wire found that in 2021 compared to 2018, there have been big increases in home improvement projects – extensions up by 50%, loft conversions by 112%, outhouses by 122% and garden offices by 161%.
Although those numbers seem impressive, Annexes in fact dwarf all of them with an increase of 300% in the number of properties now choosing to add an additional home to their garden.
It is clear that the demand is there. But what is causing the growth in popularity and how can an Annexe add value?
How Does an Annexe Add Value to the Main Property?
When we consider how an Annexe adds value to a property, here are the main reasons we have found across the granny Annexe properties we have built across the UK:
Bringing Families Together
Family means everything. And bringing a family together is the overwhelming response we get from our customers when we ask how they benefited most from an Annexe build.
The truth is, growing older can become lonely and while a parent or elderly family member may not necessarily need any form of medical or supporting care, they welcome the company and easy access to younger family members when living on the same property.
Having your family nearby also provides peace of mind for all.
Multigenerational Homes
Trends in the UK show that the multigenerational home is becoming more popular.
When two, three or even four generations of one family live together there are numerous benefits to be had for all.
However, space and independence can prove testing.
This is where an Annex comes into play, offering the perfect solution.
With additional living accommodation on the property, completely self contained, a multi-generation family is much more comfortable. This demonstrates another reason why granny annexes are so popular.
Financial Advantages of an Annexe
When it comes to adding value, often it can be the financial savings that bring the true total to the forefront of the offer.
The Cost of Care
The cost of care continues to rise in the UK. When it gets to a later stage of life and care becomes a need it is not unusual for care home fees to top £1,000 a week.
Multiply this by the number of years it may be needed and the significance of the total amount of care costs should not be overlooked.
Just five years in a care home could cost upwards of £260,000 and in doing so, independence is also being lost. Often elderly residents of a care home do not want to be there and yearn for their own home.
“The average cost of spending 5 years in a care home could be in excess of £250,000.”
Building an Annexe changes that. It provides the opportunity of independence that we have written about and removes the need, and cost, of care.
The Cost of Living
It’s not only the older generation that can benefit financially by having the added value of an Annexe. We are currently living through a cost of living crisis. With rising energy bills, house prices and the general cost of day to day expenses including petrol and more, the prospect of sharing a property with two dwellings could lead to an enormous cost saving.
With less financial burdens to worry about, a better quality of life can be achieved.
Granny Annexes Adding Value to your Property
With the rise in popularity of the granny Annexe and the incredible solutions they deliver for families across the UK, there is no surprise that an Annexe can add value to the price of your property.
Recent information from Checkatrade suggests that on average, an Annexe will raise the value of your property by 20-30%.
With all the opportunities it presents coupled with the additional value to your home – the financial advantages of a granny Annexe on your property are obvious and it is clear to see that an Annexe can add real value to your property.
