Composite fencing and exterior upgrades emerge as smart strategy for homeowners in a cooling UK housing market.
Aldridge, UK. October 20th 2025 – In a housing market where prices are growing at just 1.3% annually, new research reveals that simple home exterior upgrades can deliver outsized financial returns — even in regions experiencing price stagnation or decline.
According to a study by Ecomposite (ecompositeproducts.co.uk), homeowners who invest in composite fencing, decking, and modern rendering can increase their property’s value by 5–10%, significantly outperforming market averages. In high-value areas like Kensington & Chelsea, the return on investment (ROI) can exceed 700%.
The report, The Impact of Home Modernisation on Property Values in a Cooling UK Market, is based on a detailed regional analysis using UK House Price Index data and adjusted construction costs. It comes as buyer demand falls sharply and more homes struggle to sell at asking price — with agreed sales down to -24 in August, according to RICS.
Key Findings:
- A full exterior upgrade costs approx. £8,530
- A 10% value uplift on a £300,000 home nets £21,000 – a 146% ROI
- In Kensington & Chelsea, ROI can reach 1559% (£141k uplift for £8.5k spend)
- Areas with slow or negative growth — like the South West (-0.2%) — still show positive ROI when homes are modernised
- Regional ROI map identifies top-performing areas for home improvement investments
“We’re seeing a clear modernisation premium emerge,” said Bailey Witcomb, Director at Ecomposite. “Homeowners who invest in aesthetic, low-maintenance exterior improvements are protecting their equity and increasing saleability, even in a buyer’s market. When buyers are cautious, they gravitate to homes that feel finished, modern, and low-maintenance.”
A Strategy for a Buyer’s Market
The research is released just weeks before the Government’s autumn budget (26 November), with speculation swirling about possible reforms to Stamp Duty or new property levies. Ecomposite’s report argues that sellers, especially in the £500k+ bracket, can use modernisation to mitigate risk and avoid price drops.
In properties over £1 million, demand has already fallen by 11%, and by 4% for homes above £500,000.
Modernisation projects offer sellers a way to stand out amid rising supply and tighter buyer budgets — especially in high-end areas where even minor percentage increases in value translate into tens of thousands of pounds.
A Regional Story: Where ROI Stands Out
Ecomposite’s regional analysis found that:
- Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North East showed strong organic price growth (4.5–6.5%) — amplifying ROI from upgrades
- The South West and parts of London, where growth is minimal or negative, saw modernised homes outperform the regional average
- In lower-value areas (e.g., Blackpool, County Durham), ROI was more modest, but still positive when improvements achieved the full 10% uplift
ENDS