HOMEOWNERS in the South East wrongly believe new kitchens and redecorating are the most valuable property improvement. Estate agents differ, and say on average loft conversions and extensions offer £28,600 more value.

"Homeowners planning improvements to their homes this summer to specifically increase the value of their property could be missing out on the most valuable additions.

"At a time of year when many are planning improvements around the home, for many to improve the value and desirability of their homes, it is important that consumers appreciate and establish the best DIY and renovation tasks to undertake to add the most equity to their home," said Giacomo Gigantiello, of GE Money Home Lending.

Homeowners keen to increase the value of their property often undertake the wrong home improvements according to research by GE Money Home Lending.

In fact the top three modifications homeowners in the South East opted for, combined, would not increase the value of a home by as much as an estate agent top choice: a loft conversion.

Homeowners could improve the value of their home by almost £42,000 by carrying out estate agent valuers’ top two recommendations of a loft conversion and a room extension.

However, in the South East, homeowners’ top choice, of a new kitchen, would add on average only £9,750. Of even more concern is that more people think simply redecorating rooms adds more value than a loft, an extension or a conservatory.