Double glazing to sell?

[jake-the-peg]

If you're selling a house without double glazing (large 3 bedroomed semi- London Suburbs) is it a good idea to have it installed prior to selling?

Does it increase the value more than the cost? or does it depend and if so on what?

[buildersmate]

I think you'd be wise to discuss this with the bevvy of estate agents that you will presumably invite, when they come touting for your business. I think the answer is 'it depends', and a good agent should be able to offer a rational answer for your particular property and area. Factors influencing could include:
the extent to which you have installed other insulating materials in the roof and walls - DG in terms of insulating value for the price paid is lower than other measures on the list of priorities. So roof and wall insulation are perhaps a better measure, but are invisible to many potential buyers apart from in the HIP Report.
the extent to which DG would help to reduce external noise - if one lives on a busy road, for example
the condition of the existing windowframes - DG is seen by many as a 'fit and forget' future maintenance measure, but it depends what you have now.

[jake-the-peg]

Thanks - it's my fathers' house and there is quite a bit in disrepair including the original windows, road noise isn't an issue.

I rather suspect the double glazing issue has a psycological effect with buyers.I'lll see what the estate agents have to say but I have a feeling they might encourage us to put it on asap in order to get a comission now rather than maybe later.

We'll see - thanks for the feedback

[buildersmate]

Yes, that reasoning sounds correct, but see what the opinion of the agents is. If poor external windows is largely the only detrimental factor visually, I agree. It depends how much else there is visually to dissuade the viewers.

[woofgang]

it might be worth looking at similar houses in the area, what they go for in similar condidtion with and without DG Where i live not having DG would be a major knock back in price as most houses have it

[coccinelle]

If there's other work to do on the house maybe it's not a good idea to install DG, any potential buyers could be looking for a house which they can renovate to their liking; they could then choose whatever colour and material they like and the price of the house would be in their price range.