According to Andrew Leech, technical consultant for the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), the bathroom and the kitchen are the areas consumers need to have "in good order", especially if they are looking to boost the value of their house. He suggested that although such rooms are not visible from the outside of the home, they are often the first places prospective buyers look at when visiting a property. As a result, Mr Leech advised consumers to make sure that they "keep up-to-date with trends", with a cheap homeowner loan serving as one possible way to fund improvements.

He said: "The kitchen these days is becoming more and more a place where you meet people, rather than the lounge. If you have the option to extend the size of your kitchen, by knocking a wall down within the house and making it larger, it is definitely a good thing to do and if you can do it and incorporate a dining area, this seems to be the right thing to do."

The NHIC consultant also advised of the need for homeowners to get work done on their bathroom, especially if such a facility is quite old. He added that people considering refurbishing these rooms should keep in mind how such improvements will be able to save water. However, Mr Leech warned that those planning to get work done on this part of their homes should first speak to a bathroom manufacturer on how best to approach such a project.

In addition, those looking to add value onto their homes may also wish to apply for a homeowner loan to help fund having a loft conversion done or a conservatory fitted. Consumers looking to do this, however, were urged to think about not only the expense that work can entail but also whether the type of property they live in is suitable. For those looking to convert their loft into an extra room, Mr Leech pointed out that they will need to have space within their property to make a staircase.

He added that people should remember that a loft will need to be boarded and insulated, with the fitting in of a window also required. Meanwhile, the associated costs for getting a conservatory put in include having foundations laid and the expense of getting stud and glass walls constructed.

Boosting the energy efficiency of a property was also put forward as a reason to carry out home improvement work, which could be funded through a loan. The NHIC consultant suggested that in years to come the green credentials a home has, such an insulated loft or cavity wall insulation, will have an effect on its attached mortgage. He added that undertaking such work could also reduce pressure on homeowners' finances as it could lower utility bill costs.

As a result, applying for a homeowner loan could be an advisable way to help consumers improve their property. Earlier this month, Neil Marshall, chief executive of the National Insulation Association, stated that winter is an ideal time for people to get their lofts and walls insulated as such a move could reduce the cost of their utility bills not just for when they will use their heating system more but also for years to come. Overall, he reported that getting this work done would set homeowners back by about 500 pounds, with a low-rate loan one way to fund the expense.