According to a UK government survey, 73% of homes in the UK have only one bathroom.
Another survey found that 42% of respondents said an en suite in the master bedroom was their priority when choosing a new home.
So, en suites are worth considering if you want to add value to your home.
But how much value do they add? And when are they recommended or not recommended?
Read on to find out.
What is an en suite?
An en suite is a bathroom that’s connected to a bedroom.
It is not accessible from shared spaces. Instead, it must be accessed via a bedroom (usually the master bedroom).
The features inside the en suite depend on the size of the room.
In other words, the en suite may simply have a toilet and sink in smaller properties. But larger ones may have a shower, bath, and storage space.
They can be placed in most types of property, but they are most popular in larger houses and flats (such as duplex apartments).
How common are en suites?
There are currently no reliable statistics on exactly how common en suites are.
However, it is reasonable to infer from their high demand and ability to add value that they are increasingly popular.
How large is a typical en suite?
According to several sources, the average en suite is around 30 square feet (2.79 metres squared).
On the lower end, you may find en suites that are 20 square feet (1.85 square metres). This would fit a sink and a toilet, but not much else.
On the larger end, you could get en suites up to 100 square feet (9.3 square metres). These are usually in the larger, more expensive properties.
Does an en suite add value?
Yes, it does.
According to The Guardian, asking prices per square foot are 20% higher for homes with two bathrooms.
So, just making this small addition can increase your value by upwards of 10%.
The size and features in the en suite will also make a big difference.
Buyers may not consider a 20 square feet en suite very noteworthy. But at 60 square feet, it could boost your house value by much more.
On average, if your house is valued at £300,000, adding an en suite could push it up to between £330,000 and £360,000.
Obviously, the value growth could be much more on the higher end of the price range.
Advantages of having an en suite
Privacy
En suite bathrooms give you extra privacy. You don’t need to share with other family members, such as children.
You can wash, get dressed, and prepare for the day all within the confines of your bedroom. There’s no walking down the hallway involved.
Convenience
An en suite bathroom is more convenient. You don’t need to walk a long way to access it because it’s beside your bed.
This can make your morning routine far easier. And you aren’t battling with other people in your house to use the shower before work.
Increased property value
Your house will sell for more when there’s an en suite attached to your bedroom. This can range from 10% to 20% in extra value.
There may also be a higher square footage if the house was first designed with an en suite in mind. Both of these will benefit you.
Disadvantages of having an En Suite
You might be woken up
Your en suite bathroom is located right next to your bed.
So, if your partner wakes up at night and needs the toilet, flushing the chain may wake you up.
This doesn’t happen when the bathroom is further away in the house.
Extra maintenance
An extra bathroom involves more maintenance. With a shower, bathroom, and sink all to look after, you should be ready for this.
There’s not just extra time involved, but additional costs when a plumber needs to fix something.
Reduces space for other things
Installing an en suite bathroom can reduce your space in the bedroom.
Or, it stops you from using this extra room for another purpose. It depends on your priorities and the number of people in your family.
Should I pay for an en suite installation?
If you’re not planning on moving
You should first consider:
- Your finances
- Number of people living in your house
- Your current bathroom situation.
You may want to change this if you’re currently sharing a bathroom with your children. An en suite is a great solution.
If you’re planning on selling soon
If you plan on selling soon, you need to determine whether the increased value will exceed how much you spend.
In other words, what your return on investment (ROI) will be.
This is, admittedly, a difficult calculation to make. You need to get quotes from builders and estate agents to determine this.
Other options, such as a new kitchen or redecorating, are also worth considering.
