Anyone buying a house urged to check one thing as it can add £52,000 to the price

Anyone is being urged to check one key detail before making an offer, as it could add as much as £52,000 to the . According to estate agents , having a driveway can , particularly in areas where parking is limited. 

In , where the average house price in 2024 was £525,586, this means a driveway could add between £26,279 and £52,559. But the price boost isn’t just limited to the capital. In , a driveway could increase a home’s worth by up to £42,664, while in , it could add around £35,421. homeowners could see a rise of £34,684, according to the data.

Even in regions with lower property prices, the difference can still be big. In the South East, a driveway could add up to £38,310, while in Yorkshire and the Humber, it might increase a property’s value by up to £21,544. 

In the North East, where average house prices tend to be lower, a driveway could still add between £8,532 and £17,064.

The rising demand for off-street parking is driving up the value of properties with private driveways, particularly in larger cities where on-street parking is scarce. 

Factors such as the availability of free parking, the cost of parking permits, and general demand for spaces all play a role in determining how much a driveway adds to a property’s value.

Kesha Foss-Smith, area director at , told : “In bigger cities like London, this figure would be greater – not only because house prices tend to be higher, but also because car parking spaces are scarce and driveways are more valuable.”

She added that the type of driveway can also make a difference. “Materials like block paving or resin-bound surfaces enhance the durability and aesthetic appeal of a driveway, so they are common materials to choose,” she said.

What’s more, the growing popularity of electric vehicles is making driveways even more desirable. 

The ability to install a home charging point is becoming an increasingly important factor for buyers, with demand for electric cars rising across the UK. 

In October last year alone, over 29,800 electric vehicles were sold – a 25% increase compared to the same time in 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Toby Leak, from the estate agent organisation , said: “With the move to electric vehicles, it certainly makes it easier to transition if you have a private drive where you can add a charging point, so this will likely see an increase in demand.”

Ms Foss-Smith agreed, saying that homeowners looking to increase their property’s value should consider adding a charging station. 

“Having charging points installed on your driveway could be another nice way to bump up the value of your home by a few thousand pounds,” she said.