When Santa fell down the chimney…

16th December, 2005

Children around the UK will be putting out milk, cookies and carrots on Christmas Eve, in the hope that Santa will come down the chimney and reward them with presents.

However, according to a new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), chimneys are becoming a thing of the past.

It suggests that new homes tend to be built without the traditional chimney and property owners who can boast such a feature in their home aren’t maintaining or restoring it.

RICS spokesperson, John Reyers claims that a chimney can add real value to the price of your property.

'What many people don't realise is that working open fireplaces with chimneys can add both aesthetic and practical value to a property.

'But because they take up valuable space and add extra cost to the design of a property they may become the preserve of the upper end of the market.'

If you are carrying out restoration work at home, don't forget to increase the value of your building and contents insurance.

Once work has been completed, your property may be worth significantly more, which should be reflected in your home insurance.

 

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