Be careful with period features, warns expert

People investing in property for sale must be careful when adding period features to ensure that they don't devalue their houses.

According to the National Home Improvement Council, property owners said that additions must be done with sympathy to the character of the building and that while it can often be tempting to add a feature, such as a chimney to a modern house, it can be problematic environmentally.

"You've got to be very careful as it can go the opposite way round if you put something which is too antique in a property is fairly modern," said Andrew Leech, consultant to the National Homes Improvement Council.

"[If] you're intending to add period features internally or externally, you need to consider if they will be compatible with the design of the house."

According to Period Property UK, Victorian-style bathrooms that are "highly fashionable" can cost as little as £600 to £800 for a suite.

Property Investment News posted on 16/11/2007 14:11:55