Renovations That Add Value to Your Lagos Property

Not all renovations are equal. Some upgrades deliver a strong return on investment by attracting buyers faster, supporting a higher selling price, or generating more shortlet income. Others are expensive but do little to move the needle. Here is what our agents recommend.

Highest-Return Renovations for Lagos Properties

1. Kitchen Upgrade

The kitchen is one of the first things serious buyers and shortlet guests evaluate. A clean, modern kitchen with quality fittings, good worktops, and a functional layout can add 10–20% to a property's perceived value. You do not need to strip out and rebuild — resurfacing cabinet doors, replacing taps, and adding good lighting can transform a tired kitchen at moderate cost.

2. Bathroom Renovation

A freshly tiled bathroom with a working shower, clean sanitary ware, and good lighting ranks second only to the kitchen in its impact on buyers and tenants. Replacing cracked tiles, fixing leaks, and adding a proper shower enclosure are relatively low-cost but high-impact upgrades.

3. Fresh Painting Inside and Out

Fresh neutral-coloured paint is the single most cost-effective renovation you can do. It makes a property feel clean, well-maintained, and larger. Always do the exterior and the entrance hall first — these form the buyer's first impression.

4. Power Upgrade (Generator or Solar)

In Lagos, reliable power is a major selling point and a non-negotiable for shortlet properties. Installing a generator set with an automatic changeover switch, or a solar hybrid system, can significantly increase your property's desirability and rental income. For shortlets specifically, this is the single most important upgrade you can make.

5. Security Improvements

Perimeter fencing, reinforced entrance gates, security lights, and CCTV cameras all add to a property's desirability in Lagos. Buyers and tenants place high value on security, and these upgrades are often relatively inexpensive relative to the price premium they support.

6. Borehole and Water Tank

In many parts of Lagos, municipal water supply is unreliable. A functional borehole with adequate water storage is a major selling point, particularly for family buyers and shortlet operators.

Renovations to Approach Carefully

• Swimming pools: High installation and maintenance cost; only adds value in high-end markets.
• Major structural changes: Rarely recover their cost in the short term.
• Over-personalised interiors: Bold colours and unusual layouts narrow your buyer pool.

Get a Pre-Sale Valuation First

Before spending money on renovations, ask an agent to value your property as-is and estimate what it could achieve after specific upgrades. This prevents over-investing in improvements that do not move the price. Amuwo Properties Solutions offers free pre-sale assessments for property owners in our coverage area.