LONDON, November 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Speaking to home improvement specialists Everest, respected property guru Sarah Beeny explains that current economic pressures are prompting homeowners to approach home improvements from an entirely new angle.

Whereas previous developers would have purchased what Beeny described as "ramshackle old [properties]" as restoration projects, a struggling national economy has prompted a re-evaluation of this approach - as Beeny explained:

"The trend now is in adding value. That's massive, and with so many families struggling against the credit crunch, with some even in negative equity, it really does make sense to stay put and add value."

Home improvement better than relocation

Considering the current state of the property industry, which has suffered from fluctuating house prices and an unstable rental market, it is hardly surprising that everyday consumers are making the most of what they've got instead of attempting to relocate.

In a recent poll conducted by Everest, more than half of those interviewed (53.7%) said they'd rather add a conservatory to their home than move houses*. This is one of many additions homeowners can make to their properties in order to increase the amount of available space they have in their homes. It is also worth noting that it is a far cheaper alternative to a full-scale relocation.

Spatial restrictions are naturally one of the biggest concerns for homeowners who are striving to achieve a balance between practicality and aesthetic design. Fitting a conservatory or expanding your property is an easy way to accomplish this aim and can be highly cost-effective -meeting two of the main focuses of home improvements as outlined by Beeny in the interview:

"The greater truth is as long as you have the space in your house, you can do whatever you want with it.

"We can all fret over blank canvases when it comes to how we're going to turn a house into a home, but no matter what budget you have, the end product can always be fantastic."

You can read the full length interview on Everest's blog.

Home improvement advice from Everest

Taking inspiration from their interview with Sarah Beeny, leading home improvement specialists Everest have plenty of home improvement advice for those looking to increase the value of their property:

•Add a conservatory: conservatories can add as much as 4-5% to the value of your home, making them a worthwhile addition. Everest offers a vast selection of conservatory choices with the option to have your own uniquely designed conservatory a popular option.

• Change entrances: the entrance to your home is responsible for the first impression which visitors form of your home. Although they are first viewed from outside your property, they are integral to your interior design style and replacing them is a great way to make your house a home.

• Focus on one room at a time: rather than adopting the traditional approach of a full house restoration, targeting individual rooms is much more financially viable. Kitchen designs from Everest range from the contemporary to the modern and can instantly transform the appearance of your home.

About Everest

Everest began life in 1965 and has grown into one of the most recognised and respected home improvement companies in the UK.

With a name synonymous with double glazing, Everest today offers a range of products that span almost all areas of home improvements, including doors, conservatories, roofline products (guttering, cladding, soffits etc.), garage doors, security systems, timber windows, flat roofs, driveways and kitchens.

Everest prides itself on combining the highest quality products with exceptional customer service and has served over two million customers in the UK, the Isle of Man and Jersey. Everest has two manufacturing bases, in Treherbert in Wales and Sittingbourne in Kent, with its head office in Cuffley, Hertfordshire and a nationwide network of installation centres and customer service centres.

As a mark of Everest's impressive commitment to quality manufacture and installation, Everest is a founder member of Glass and Glazing Federation, and is also a member of FENSA (Fensestration Self Assessment Scheme), The Conservatory Association and REAL (Renewable Energy Assurance Limited), along with numerous other memberships and building accreditations.

For more information on Everest, please visit http://www.everest.co.uk.  

Notes to Editors

*Data obtained from a poll of 1,200 UK respondents aged 35 years and above (conducted by Everest, October 2012).