5 ways to improve your property’s ‘verge appeal’ this Spring

Repairing joinery

Have a look around, whether it’s a broken gate at the end of the drive or your top stable doors which were damaged by storms in the winter months, Spring is a great time to repair them and lift the value and appeal of your property. The good news is that these repairs are often small and simple to do yourself, or ask a local joiner.

Painting doors and windows

Once your joinery repairs are done, it’s probably time for a lick of paint. I’d always suggest that ‘ex decs’ or external decorations are carried out on a strict five year cycle, this not only protects the woodwork, making it last longer but makes your property look like new again – a win win in my book! And remember when faced with the task or the local decorators quote, the cost of replacing everything is a lot more, so best to look after it now and reap the rewards when it lasts a few years more.

Repairs to paddock fencing

Paddocks with broken rails not only look tired and messy but they can be dangerous. Although many of our four legged friends enjoy testing our fences to the limit, whether it’s the ex-racer cribbing on the top rail or the ponies who prefer to rub up against them, the next few months are the best time to strengthen and improve the look of your fences.

Top tip? Use treated materials which will fair better against the weather and last longer and save you from many hours creosoting.

Rid muddy gateways and other boggy areas

As the ground dries up and you treat your horses mud fever for the last time, vow to try and prevent the same problem next year.

Whether you go whole hog and invest in drainage, adding hardcore and putting stone in your gateways and boggy areas around water troughs, or would prefer a lower cost option, for example purchasing road planings or screening (from about £20/ton), it is worthwhile. Less ailments to treat and grooming to do, more grazing and a more pleasant turn out experience for you.

Make 2016 the year you fix the driveway

Lucky enough to own a driveway? Then please please give it the love it deserves. Driveways which resemble the moon with crater like pot-holes are possibly my biggest gripe and a real turn off for buyers.

If a buyer isn’t put off when arriving at the house and falls in love with the property having forgotten about the pot-holed drive, you can rest assured that they will be reminded about it all the way out! If you have experienced the bumpy drive and honed your own brace position, you will probably also have a list of vehicle repairs as long as your arm – last month I added a flat tyre to my driveway damages.

Sadly I don’t think there’s a quick / cheap fix for repairing a driveway as a bodge job rarely lasts but, first impressions count and it is easily one of the best ways you can improve the appeal of your property.