Not even the country’s top-notch economists can be certain what your home will be worth in the next five or 10 years. And in some of the country’s faster-moving property markets, even 12 months down the line is difficult to forecast.

What we do know, however, is that some changes made to your home will improve its relative value more than others. Check out these top 10.

1. Convert the loft

Increasing your living space with a loft conversion is an easy way to add another bedroom, bathroom or even both. You’ll need to reinforce the floor joists which will raise the floor level, so factor this into your standing room.

Potential cost: £20,000

Potential value added: 12 per cent

2. Build a conservatory

No longer a glass bolt-on to the house that you shut the door on in winter, a good modern conservatory will add natural usable, and valuable, square footage to your home.

Potential cost: Between £5,000 and £30,000 (for a full-blown extension)

Potential value added: Between 7 per cent and 15 per cent

Top tip! Basement conversions could also be an option depending on your house and the area. But they are very expensive and alter the structural load of the property, so will need careful thought and planning.

3. Swap the garage for living space

Did you know that 90 per cent of Britain’s garages don't house a car? If yours is among them, it will pay to turn it into living space instead.

Potential cost: £10,000 to £15,000

Potential value added: Up to 15 per cent. (For a more accurate figure, multiply the square footage gained by the local square-foot price)

Top tip! If you are selling your home, identify your target market and give the extra room a purpose to suit. It might be a gym, bedroom or study for example.

4. Get a new kitchen

If your budget stretches to just one refit in the home, make sure it’s the kitchen. Keep it neutral and practical in design – and make sure the cost of the work is relative to the current value of your home. Neither a £50,000 kitchen in a £200,000 home, or an £8,000 kitchen in a £1m property makes financial sense.

Potential cost: £10,000

Potential value added: 5 per cent

5. Update the windows

Putting in new windows can make a house instantly smarter, warmer and quieter. But it goes without saying that the replacements should always be the same as the original to reflect the age and style of the property. If they aren't, don’t bother.

Potential cost: £5,000 to £7,000

Potential value added: 5 per cent

Top tip! Finding out if you need planning permission for your improvement should be your first port of call.

6. Blast the bathroom

After the kitchen, focus on the bathroom. However, it’s not worth stretching the budget uncomfortably here as you can make a big difference just by updating details such as the taps, shower screen, cupboards and towel rails.

Potential cost: £5,000

Potential value added: 3 per cent

7. Make the most of the back garden

Installing glass bi-folding doors along a back wall not only makes for a brighter living room or kitchen, it can really bring the garden into the house. You’ll need outdoor lights to ensure this at night and in winter.

Potential cost: £3,000

Potential value added: 2 per cent

Top tip! Always keep your home improvements within the parameters of property values in your street. For example, if average values are £250,000, you won’t be able to achieve £400,000 on account of even a top-notch extension.

8. Pave over the front lawn

If you live in a city or busy urban location where parking comes a premium, swapping your front lawn for a driveway can be a savvy and practical move.

Potential cost: £10,000 to £20,000

Potential value added: Up to £50,000 in some pockets of London

9. Spruce up the front of the house

This could mean anything from painting the house and replacing the front door, to cleaning windows and unblocking drains, or pulling up weeds from cracks in the driveway and sandblasting it clean.

Potential cost: £50 to £1,500

Potential value added: Up to £5,000 – with the bonus of getting more potential buyers through your door.

10. Hang mirrors in the hall

A clever and cost-effective trick to give the illusion of space in your hall is to hang mirrors on each wall. But make sure it’s cleared of prams, shoes and bikes first, clutter is the last thing you want to see double of.

Potential cost: £200-£200

Potential value added: A good impression – priceless!

* Information from Zoopla. Figures are based on a typical three-bedroom family home and are only a benchmark. Planning permission will be required in many cases.