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How to increase the value of your property without really trying.

Home Improvement is 'best investment' say UK savers 

Despite the credit crunch and reports of falling property prices, homeowners still believe the best investment choice for 2008 is building, renovating or improving their own homes.

'Getting the builders in' beat ISAs, shares and premium bonds as the best way to make money, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the FMB Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008, the search for the best builder in Britain.

The vast majority - 60% of women and 50% of men - said home improvement was the best way to make money, more than double the number favouring any other investment.

Less than a quarter favoured traditional products such as ISAs (23%) and only 10% rated shares. Premium bonds, lottery tickets, wine and art scarcely registered as good investments.

The most popular home improvements were new kitchens and remodelled gardens – particularly amongst 20-somethings and 30-somethings. Almost half had added a new kitchen as an investment and 40% had improved their garden as a way to make their home worth more. A third favoured adding a downstairs loo or a walk-in shower, but less than 10% deemed the much-touted conservatory a real investment.

"Putting money away for a rainy day is definitely sensible, but it certainly doesn't make you feel as good as getting a good builder to add an extension, which creates space and makes for a better standard of living," said FMB director general Richard Diment, as he announced the 2008 Master Builder of the Year Awards to find the best builder in Britain.

"For most people a home is the biggest investment they are ever going to make. Improving what they've got, not only ensures a better living environment, but also provides a better property worth more when the time comes to sell," said the presenter of C4 Grand Designs Trade Secrets Naomi Cleaver. "A well-maintained, up-to-date property will hold its value far better than a shabby, out-dated one."

"But good home improvement work relies on having a good builder. Choose wisely and before embarking on building work, find a good builder, agree plans and costs and let them get on with the job," advised Naomi.

"A professional builder who executes well-finished work is to be thanked not only for improving your everyday life by, say, creating an open plan kitchen, a home office in the loft or separate rooms for the children, but also for increasing the value of your house to boot."

"So, if you've had building work done by a good builder and want to thank them, then why not enter them for the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008," says Naomi.

The Master Builder of the Year Awards gives customers a chance to thank their builder for a job well done. They are unique because to enter, a builder must be nominated by a satisfied customer who is so pleased with their finished project that they feel their builder deserves national recognition. It is designed to reward both builders and clients, which means if your builder wins, you could enjoy a £3,000 holiday"

The competition has a wide range of categories to make sure it is open to all builders. Categories cover New Homes, Renovations, Energy Efficient buildings, Commercial Projects (up to £3m), with a special Heavenly Builder award for builders who display outstanding levels of customer service, no matter how small the job they undertake.

You can enter online here or by calling 0870 162 0942. The closing date for entries is 31st July and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday November 13th 2008.

Master Builder of the Year 2008 is organised by the Federation of Master Builders in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, and in partnership with Aon Ltd, B & CE Benefit Schemes, Barceló Hotels, British Gypsum Ltd, BuildStore, ConstructionSkills, CSCS, HBXL, Hilti, Velux, Homebuilding and Renovating, NHBC, Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise, Paramount Group of Hotels, Professional Builder magazine, Sage (UK) Ltd, Screwfix Direct, Travis Perkins, and Master Builder magazine and CCATF.

8 May 2008

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