A new gravel driveway can help elevate the attractiveness of a property, adding value both in terms of a home’s kerb appeal and, crucially, its financial value. Here, we look at why the installation of an elegant gravel driveway should never be overlooked to maximise the value of your home.
Making a good first impression
First impressions count. For homeowners, a good first impression can instil a sense of pride. And for potential buyers, a feel-good first impression is an essential element in the purchasing decision. When looking their best, the exterior and grounds of a property can add as much as 5% to a property’s value.
While a concrete, asphalt or block-paved drive can all help smarten the exterior of a home, gravel is the surface most associated with high-end homes. Its traditional finish gives a softer look than other surfaces and is easy to maintain. When complemented by good exterior lighting, thoughtful planting schemes and a smart front door, the first impression of a property can be immeasurably increased.
Burgess Hill homeowner Paul McMullan knew the old, thinning and unkempt driveway was spoiling the finished look of his property when he set about a programme of improvements. In replacing the old, badly laid gravel driveway, he installed Beauxfort Gravelrings gravel grid system to achieve a gravel driveway that quickly improved the first impression of his home.
Adding kerb appeal
The attractiveness of your property from the position that people first see your house is known as kerb appeal. There are easy ways to boost kerb appeal, including fitting entrance gates, attractive fencing and exterior lighting. But laying a gravel driveway adds a truly prestigious welcome, as it did for Gravelring’s customer Ivan Holding when he opted for a new gravel driveway as part of his home renovation. He switched traditional gravel for grey-hued crushed limestone to complement his contemporary home. The new driveway was laid with Gravelrings to keep the gravel in place, minimise maintenance and ensure that the driveway would always complement the immaculate look of the property.
Adding value
If you’re developing or renovating a property to sell, don’t overlook the driveway. Replacing the driveway is likely to be seen as an expensive task for a purchaser to undertake themselves (even if that isn’t necessarily the case). And all your hard work on the interior will be wasted if the approach to the house puts off potential buyers before they’ve even stepped through the front door.
When embarking on a home renovation or property development be sure to include the costs of a new gravel driveway and choose finishes that will contrast with or complement the style of the property and possibly its location. When building his own home, building contractor Michael Alderton took care to ensure that the exterior was a fit for the property’s location in a conservation area in Hurstpierpoint.
Achieve the perfect gravel driveway with the Beauxfort Gravelrings system. Check out our website www.beauxfort.com for more information about the Beauxfort landscape systems and design inspiration, and to download the Beauxfort Distinctive Landscape Systems brochure and request a free sample. Or talk to our friendly team about your project by contacting us on 0330 055 2599 or info@beauxfort.com.
