Your driveway is more than just a pathway that leads to your house or space where you park your vehicle. It is a feature that affects your kerb appeal and people’s first impression of your house.
The condition of your drive also has an impact on your home’s saleability and value. If you have a driveway that’s unpaved or in poor condition and neighbours have stunning drives, your home is going to be less attractive to buyers. Furthermore, it is also going to have a lower perceived value.
So, if you intend to sell your house, fixing or improving your driveway needs to be on your must-do list before advertising your property.
Even if you have no plans of selling, having a beautiful drive is still important. For one, it can be a secure place to park your car if you don’t have a garage. Furthermore, it can make it safer and more convenient for you to walk or drive up to the garage or front door from the road and vice versa.
In addition, as it connects your house to the road and outdoor spaces, its appearance and condition are going to affect how you and others experience your house. To be more specific, a stunning and well-made drive can give your home a welcoming vibe.
How Much Value Can a Paved Driveway Add to Your House?
At the very least, you are going to get a return that amounts to the cost of installing the driveway. However, in most cases, home sellers get more as reports indicate that driveways in tiptop condition increase the property’s value by 5 to 10 per cent.
How much you would be getting depends on various factors such as the materials used, design and the quality of the workmanship.
There are many types of paving materials available in the market today. The most affordable ones are gravel and tarmac while the most expensive are pavers.
When choosing a material, consider your neighbours’ driveways – what they are made of. If you are using gravel but adjacent properties have concrete drives, your gravel driveway won’t add much to your home’s value. Ideally, pick a driveway paving solution that’s similar to what your neighbours have.
In terms of design, you can never go wrong with a timeless or classic look, especially when you are selling your house. But you can also go for a unique look if you want your property to stand out. Just make sure that your chosen look complements your home’s design.
Lastly, the driveway needs to be installed by professionals to ensure high-quality workmanship.
When you go the DIY route or hire amateurs, the output can be sloppy. You may end up with a driveway that is not visually appealing and durable. So, make sure you let a reputable driveway paving company do the job if you want to get a good return of investment.
Expert Tips When Paving Driveway to Increase Home Value
Aside from those we’ve mentioned above, here are additional things to keep in mind if you want a driveway that’s going to boost the value of your home:
Do not over-improve your driveway. Remember, your drive is meant to enhance the overall appearance of your house. It is not the focal point of the property. Do not pour all your resources into the creation of a driveway, so you won’t end up sacrificing other home improvement projects.
A straight driveway is not the only option. You can go for a curve or angled drive if you want something different and interesting.
Add value by incorporating other features like having extra side-parking spots. You can also use plants and lighting to elevate the driveway’s appearance.
Do not choose a driveway paving company just because it gave you the lowest quote. Ensure that the service provider installs superior quality driveways and renders top-notch service.
Makes sure you consult a designer or architect to know what kind of driveway is going to complement your home’s design and improve its value.
Planning to improve the look of your driveway before selling your house? New Style Driveways is Ireland’s trusted driveway paving company. Call us now on 0852139591 to learn more about our services!
