Nailing it: Add value to your property with UK Planet Tools

​When it comes to adding value to your property, it can be tricky knowing where to start. From renovating your bathroom to choosing the right kitchen countertops, there's a lot to think about at once. What's more, adding value means investing time and money, which can really break the bank (especially if you don't get your money back when it comes to selling). To help you on your way to profit - without wasting your hard-earned £££ - we've provided a guide with cheap and easy ways to boost the value of your property using our products, so you can do it yourself and save even more.

Sounds like a solid deal eh? Then without further ado, let's get to the blog!

Deciding what's affordable

Before you even pick up a tool, it is important to have a budget. This is to prevent you from overspending; after all, you want to see that money again, don't you?

When finding your budget, be aware of 'ceiling prices'. This is the maximum price you can sell for based on similar properties in your area.

For example, if your house is worth £250,000 and you spend £20,000 on a garden office, you are less likely to make that money back if houses are not going for more than £260,000 in your area. In that instance, your budget should be around £1-5,000 to make a profit.

You should also factor in aesthetic trends. While fancy carpets might be cheaper to fit in your flat or house, if wooden floors are all the rage, you should always go for wooden. You want to attract the buyer, ultimately.

Note: Speak to an estate agent if you're still unsure on a budget. They can give you a better idea of your home's particular threshold when it comes to ceiling prices, and advise you what buyers are looking for on the current market.

Cheap ways to add value

Once you've got a budget sorted, it's time to look at ways to add value. If you're looking to spend somewhere in the range of £10,000 upwards, know that it doesn't have to be that way; doing little bits of DIY can really help, too.

Here are some cheap and easy ways to add value that you can do for under £2,200 (and some product recommendations, too):

1. Spruce up your garden

Total cost: £0-500 (for outdoor power tools)

Potential added value: £5,000

From mowing your lawn to trimming your hedges, keeping your garden tidy is an absolute must when selling your property, adding up to 10% in value. A neat, well-kept garden will grab any potential buyer's attention thanks to its bright colours and natural glow (and who can resist the smell of freshly cut grass?)

It also won't cost you a penny if you have all the tools ready, so is one of the cheapest ways to add value. If, however, you don't have the tools, grabbing yourself a few power tools shouldn't cost more than £500.

Good ways to do up the garden include:

- Mowing the lawn. Use the Makita DLM432Z Twin 18V LXT 430mm Lawn Mower for excellent results. Features include a speedy 3,600 RPM motor, soft start, and 430mm (17") cutting width

- Trimming hedges & shrubs. Again from Makita, the DUH502Z 18V LXT Cordless Brushless 50cm Hedge Trimmer with variable speed control, an electric brake and handy reverse button will do the job

- Cleaning the patio. We recommend the TOUGH MASTER® high power pressure washer 140bar 1800w for patio & cars with an integrated hose reel for giving it a deep clean. And don't forget to pull up those weeds!

2. Trim those trees

Total cost: £0-120 (for pruners + chainsaw)

Potential added value: £1,600

Cutting branches or removing tough stumps is a great way to add value to your property. Loose branches can look unsightly and put a potential buyer off. Also, tree care can cost around £1,600 if you lack DIY skills, which is an added expense a potential buyer may not be willing to make.

Save them the headache by either paying for the tree care yourself (you'll get this money recovered in full when you sell) or getting your toolbox out of the shed to sort the problem out.

We recommend using:

- Bypass Pruners. A good pair at that. Try the TOUGH MASTER® TM-GP20A Bypass Pruners for a hassle-free performance; with a Teflon-coated, SK85 steel blade and sturdy cast-metal handle for a sharp cut

- A chainsaw. To remove tree stumps, the Bosch 0600834570 Corded Chainsaw is a great option if you want to save money - just make sure there's a mains supply nearby to power it up

3. Install garden decking

Total cost: £1,100-2,300 (for decking + installation)

Potential added value: £5,000

We know what you're thinking: 2 grand? Cheap?! But when you consider that a garage conversion could cost you anything from £10-20k, or loft conversion a hefty £20-30k, it is a small investment in comparison. Used as a great social space, decking brings the garden together and separates the artificial from the natural.

Depending on your budget, you can have softwood decking installed in a small garden for around £1900-2,300, or do it yourself at £4-6 per metre length of board. Remember to factor in power tools to your budget, too.

Some essential tools for garden decking:

- Tape measure. You'll need to measure up to design your deck. WellCut's WC-MT525 Tape Measure is a great choice, as it can fit right in your pocket and can measure in both imperial and metric

- Spirit level. To avoid having an uneven deck, always use a spirit level. We suggest the TOUGH MASTER® TM-SL180V. This spirit level is 1800mm and produces highly accurate, professional results every time

- Circular saw. In the case where you have to cut a deck board lengthways to fill a gap (although this should be avoided by planning to fit whole deck boards only), use a good circ saw like the Makita DSS611Z

4. Paint your front door

Total cost: £180-210 (for paint + sander + door accessories)

Potential added value: £5,000

A chipped, worn-out front door is a quick no-no for new buyers. It screams, "Renovate" before they even enter the building, and most buyers are NOT looking for a DIY project. But, if you give it a lick of paint with a plain colour like black or charcoal grey, you can quickly turn that neglected old door into something contemporary and stylish.

Pair that with a new doorknob, stainless steel house number, and brass letterbox (all for around £85!) and you'll be onto a winner. Side note: to save money, use up the paint you have in the cupboard.

Other than paint and accessories, you'll need:

- A Paint Tool Set. Check out the TOUGH MASTER® TM-PTS17 for a cheap all-rounder, including a tray, paint roller, an 8" round head paintbrush, 4 x 5m tarpaulin, a carpenter's pencil, and more - all for £8.99!*

- An electric sander. Before you paint, you should always sand the surface first. A good, affordable sander like the Makita DBO180Z Random Orbit Sander will give you multiple speeds and a smooth finish

5. Paint the walls

Total cost: £35 (for paint + paint brush set)

Potential added value: £5,000

Believe it or not, something as simple as painting the interior walls can seriously add to the value of a property. This classic do-it-yourselfer is easy to achieve, and can be done without forking out on expensive tools. Just pick a colour - preferably something neutral, like cream, crisp white, or a soft mint - and get to work.

You'll want to make sure you sand the walls down first and 'cut in' using a paintbrush for professional results. Be aware that a messy paint job could put a potential buyer off, or result in a lower offer than the asking price.

Products we recommend for painting:

- A Paint Brush Set. The TOUGH MASTER® TM-PBP5 Paint Brush Set comes with 5 brushes of different sizes with no loss of bristle, which are particularly good for getting to those nooks and cranny's when cutting in

- A Site Radio. The Makita DMR110 Blue Job Site Radio has a 2 speaker stereo system, is capable of receiving DAB/DAB+, and has an aux-in jack, so you can play local radio or your own playlists to make painting fun

6. Paint outside

Total cost: £55 (for paint + spray paint gun)

Potential added value: £5,000

Similarly to painting indoors, painting outside can also add a lot of value. If you've got chipped fences or tired decking, now might be the time to freshen it up. This quick and easy job will transform your garden and impress potential buyers, which is great news for your wallet.

It's not just about the back garden, either. In fact, it's the front garden that viewers will be comparing to your neighbours' and enticing them to go in, so make sure it looks just as good as theirs, if not better.

Some great products for outdoor painting include:

- Paint spray gun. Revamp your fences quickly and evenly with the TOUGH MASTER® TM-SG480 Spray Gun. The tool has a non-slip, polypropylene body and can produce up to 800ml of paint per minute for high productivity

- A sander. Again, you'll need a sander when prepping to paint, especially on outdoor surfaces that may have deteriorated due to weather conditions. We suggest an affordable sander like the JCB 21-18OS-B Random Orbit

Don't forget PPE

You'll want to make sure you have the appropriate workwear when renovating your home. This enhances your safety to reduce the risk of a DIY-related accident.

At UK Planet Tools, there's plenty of ways we can help you stay safe and protected:

1. Face masks. We recommend the DeWalt DXIR1FFMLP3 Full Face Mask for its ultra-low breathing resistance and optimised, unobstructed field of vision. This is great for sanding or spray painting to avoid contact with the eyes, and to avoid breathing in harsh chemicals.

2. Safety glasses. Again to avoid contact with the eyes - particularly for woodworking - a pair of safety glasses should do the trick. Milwaukee's 4932478907 Enhanced Safety Glasses are a great choice for their anti-scratch and anti-fog lenses, so you can always see what you're doing.

3. Gloves. When it comes to renovating, there's inevitably going to be some heavy lifting. Don't let your hands suffer the consequences - buy yourself some Milwaukee 4932471913 Hybrid Leather Gloves. These gloves feature Smartswipe™, so you can use your touch screen device with your gloves still on. Handy!

For more, see our full workwear collection.

*Price subject to change