Homeowners make all sorts of changes, renovations and additions to their homes, but not all of them will increase its value.

In fact, some home 'improvements' could have the undesired effect of causing a property's price to fall. 

Before carrying out any works, no matter how big or small, it is wise to do your homework and check the impact it could have on your property's value. 

For bigger or more complex projects, or those being carried out on listed buildings, make sure you get the appropriate planning permissions in place before starting any works. 

Falling foul of planning rules could result in the works having to be demolished or expensive remediation works being undertaken. 

Home moving comparison site, Sam Conveyancing, outlines seven renovation mistakes which could harm your property's value. 

1. Losing a bedroom   

One of the most common mistakes is reducing the number of bedrooms in a home by converting a box room into a dressing area or knocking two into one, according to Andrew Boast, co-founder at Sam Conveyancing. 

While it might suit the current owner's lifestyle and give them more space, in family-friendly areas, fewer bedrooms can cut into a home's resale potential.

If you try to sell your home, prospective buyers will want to see that the space can be used as a bedroom, so making any changes that can't easily be reversed may be unwise.  

2. Overly personal décor 

Vivid paint colours, statement tiling or quirky built-in furniture may feel unique, but buyers often see these as something they will need to undo later on.

For those with a unique sense of style, giving your home a neutral makeover before putting it up for sale can help.

3. Removing a bath

Some people love a bath, while others are happy to stick to showers.  

While removing a bath, particularly in flats or smaller houses, might seem like a space-saving upgrade, it is a feature many buyers still consider essential. This is particularly true for households with young children.

If you do decide to remove a bath, it is likely to narrow your buyer pool. Some will be happy to stump up the cost of installing a new bath, while others will not. 

4. DIY disasters 

Many people dabble in DIY at home, largely to keep costs down and avoid getting tradespeople in. 

However, poorly-finished DIY jobs can give your home an unfinished and cheap feel. 

According to Boast, slapdash finishes, crooked tiles or half-finished jobs will be noticed by prospective buyers and be factored in when deciding whether or not to submit a bid for the property. 

5. Garage conversions 

While converting a garage into an extra living space adds square footage, it often comes at the expense of secure parking or storage, which are two features many buyers prioritise. 

The importance of secure parking or storage is often more keenly felt in urban locations, where parking can be hard to come by and very expensive. 

6. Over-investing for your area 

Over-investing in high-specification upgrades without considering the local price ceiling can backfire, Boast said.

He added: 'Spending £50,000 on a luxury kitchen or spa bathroom in a neighbourhood where buyers aren’t likely to pay a premium for it could leave the property overpriced and unsold.'

7. No planning permission for extensions 

Adding extra space to your property can be a solid investment, but skipping the paperwork is never wise. 

Extensions or loft conversions without proper planning permission or building control sign-off can cause major issues when it comes time to sell.

Even if the work looks solid, buyers and their solicitors may see it as a legal or safety risk, and walk away.

Boast said: 'Whether it’s knocking down walls, getting creative with colour, or cutting corners on paperwork, the wrong decision can cost thousands, just because you love it, doesn’t mean your next buyer will.

'And in today’s market, where prices are under pressure and affordability is tighter, any red flag can turn people away or knock down your asking price.'

He added: 'Of course, not all upgrades are bad news. 

'Renovations that improve energy efficiency, add practical storage, or refresh tired kitchens and bathrooms with high-quality, neutral finishes tend to offer the best return. 

'These updates help make a home more appealing to a wider range of buyers, without the risk of turning them away.'