A simple habit that could save you £££s later on
Whether you’re changing the kitchen, upgrading your boiler, or giving the living room a makeover, every home improvement you make can make your home more sellable, and even add to the value of your property. But sometimes that value may only be recognised if you’ve got a clear record of what was done, when, and by whom.
At Life Possum, we believe staying organised shouldn’t be complicated. So here’s a quick guide to help you track your DIY and home improvements in a way that’s useful, future-proof, and easy to share if (and when) you ever sell.
Why Track Your Home Improvements?
Keeping a clear record of what you’ve changed or added to your home is useful for several reasons:
-
Proves value to future buyers
If your property’s price is higher than others nearby, showing the improvements helps justify the asking price. -
Simplifies selling
Having all your paperwork ready can speed up conveyancing, gives buyers peace of mind and reduces the stress of the process. -
Helps with insurance
Upgrades to heating, plumbing, or electrical systems could affect your home insurance premium and having a current inventory helps ensure you have the correct amount of insurance for your home. -
Supports tax claims
In some cases (especially with rental or inherited properties), you may be able to offset improvement costs against tax – having all the documentation to hand is vital. -
Speeds up repairs and touch ups
Have you ever needed to repaint a scuffed wall but couldn’t remember the colour? Or had a floor tile crack and couldn’t find a match?
Having records of what materials were used, who did the work, and where you bought them from makes fixing things simpler — whether it’s months or years later. -
Protects against faulty workmanship
If something goes wrong — like a leaking Window or fence-posts that start leaning over — you’ll have the details on hand to follow up on guarantees or warranties.
What to Record
It’s up to you how detailed you want to be, but ideally your record should include:
- Date of the work
- Receipts, quotes and invoices
- Key correspondence
- Contracts
- Guarantees and warranties
- Planning permissions &/or Building Control approvals
- Before and after photos
- Certificates related to installations such as FENSA and EICs
- Details of décor including furnishings, finishes such as paints and carpets. You never know when you’ll need to affect a repair and need the exact shade of paint!
- Décor details: paint brands, colour codes, flooring types, soft furnishings, etc.
Even simple jobs like replacing a window, updating insulation in the loft or a repainted hallway can matter. It’s not just about big-ticket renovations – the small stuff counts too, especially when you need to replicate or repair it later. And it can make a big difference when it comes time to sell so make sure you keep your records up to date as you go.
How to Store It
You could keep everything in a drawer or a box in the loft… but let’s be honest: paper fades, gets lost, or accidentally ends up in the recycling.
Storing it digitally makes more sense — but that can have challenges too. You might have:
- Receipts saved on your laptop
- Notes in a document
- Emails from tradespeople
- A few photos buried in your phone gallery
While it’s easy to think, “I’ll remember where that is,” let’s fast-forward 5 years. Can you honestly say you’ll still remember the name of the person who installed your bathroom — or where you saved their quote?
That’s why using a tool like Life Possum can make a huge difference.
With Life Possum, you can:
✅ Upload photos, invoices, and certificates
✅ Store correspondence, dates, and notes in one place
✅ Add entries as you go — even from your phone
✅ Use structured categories that prompt you with what info to record (without making it mandatory)
✅ Access your full renovation history anytime, anywhere
✅ Share records securely with family or future buyers
It gives you peace of mind now — and makes your life much easier later.
Remember, these kinds of digital record don’t just help you sell your house — they help organise your information in a simple structured way, helping you stay in control of your home over the years. From servicing your boiler to replacing the roof, you’ll have everything in one place when you need it.
💡Life Possum Tip
Make future you proud.
The best tip we can give? Add a little info as you go. If you’re halfway through tiling the kitchen or freshening up a room, take 30 seconds to upload a photo, jot down the paint colours or add a note.
Don’t wait until you’re selling, or scrambling to find a receipt the day something goes wrong. Build your DIY history bit by bit — and thank yourself later.
Ready to start? Log in to your Life Possum account and start uploading your latest renovation details today.