There are two types of work involved – improvements and repairs. The first is optional, the second is not. All repair work must be carried out before putting the house up for sale, as things such as broken tiles, cracked glass and the like will turn prospective buyers off.
Improvements are different. Top of the list for making the house more saleable are central heating, double glazing and a garage. Freshening up paintwork has a huge impact, so it’s definitely worthwhile. But research has shown that fitting new kitchens and bathrooms has little impact on buyers, as most people want to choose their own finishings.