Selling Your Home in Hampshire? Should You Replace Windows First?

Category: Property Advice / The Ultimate Guide
Reading Time: 15 Minutes

Selling a home is statistically one of the most stressful events in life, second only to divorce. But in 2026, it is also a financial minefield.

The market has shifted. Buyers in Hampshire are more knowledgeable, more cautious, and more demanding than ever before. They don’t just look at the room size; they look at U-values, EPC ratings, and maintenance costs.

At KJM Group, we have worked with thousands of homeowners across Andover, Winchester, and the wider county. We have seen what makes a house sell in 2 weeks for asking price, and what makes it sit on Rightmove for 6 months. This guide covers everything you need to know—not just about windows, but about the entire ecosystem of selling your property.

Chapter 1: Timing & The Market

When you list matters almost as much as what you list. The UK property market follows a distinct seasonal rhythm.

The Golden Window: Spring

Historically, March to May is the “Gold Rush.” Gardens are blooming, natural light is better for viewings, and families want to move before the new school year in September. Listing in Spring often results in a faster sale and a higher price.

The Autumn Opportunity

September and October see a “second wind” after the summer holidays. Buyers are rushing to be in before Christmas. If you miss this window and list in November, be prepared for your home to sit dormant until the Boxing Day rush.

Chapter 2: The “Kerb Appeal” Audit

This is where money is made or lost. Martin Lewis at MoneySavingExpert calls this one of the most critical factors in property value.

Stand across the street from your house. Be brutal. What do you see?

1. The Front Door (The Handshake)

Your front door is the “handshake” of your house. If the handle is loose, the paint is peeling, or the uPVC has turned pink/yellow, buyers subconsciously think: “This house is neglected.”

The Fix: Replacing an old door with a modern Composite Door costs approx £1,500 – £2,000 but can add double that in perceived value. It signals security and warmth immediately.

2. The Windows (The Eyes)

Windows dominate the facade. Broken or misted glazing units (where condensation is trapped inside) are a red flag for surveyors.

• Cleaning: Wash frames and glass. It sounds obvious, but 30% of sellers don’t do it properly.
• Repairs: If you have high-quality timber windows that are just peeling, sanding and repainting can save them.
• Replacement: If the frames are rotting or single-glazed, you are likely better off replacing them. Buyers will overestimate the cost of replacement and “gazunder” your asking price by £10k-£15k.

Chapter 3: The Energy Factor (EPCs)

In 2025, energy efficiency is a financial metric. With high energy prices, buyers are scrutinising the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) like never before.

The Value of “Band C”

Government reports suggest that moving a property from Band G/F to Band C can add up to 16% to its value. Conversely, a poor EPC gives buyers leverage to negotiate the price down.

Chapter 4: Future-Proofing: Solar & Heat Pumps

Beyond windows and doors, many sellers ask: “Should I install solar panels or a heat pump to increase my sale price?” This is the fastest-growing area of property valuation.

Solar Panels: The Asset vs. Liability

According to 2025 data, a typical 4kW solar array can increase a home’s value by 6-7%. For a £400,000 home in Hampshire, that is a £24,000 increase—far outstripping the installation cost.

• The “Green Premium”: Buyers see solar panels as “free electricity.” With energy bills still high, a home that generates its own power is incredibly attractive.
• The Warning: If you install solar, ensure you own them outright. “Leased Roof” schemes can make a house almost unsellable.

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)

Heat pumps are the future, but are they right for selling? If your home is well-insulated (good windows, loft insulation), a heat pump improves your EPC significantly. However, if your home is drafty, a heat pump will struggle, potentially scaring off buyers.

KJM Verdict: Upgrade the “fabric” first. New A-rated windows and doors make the house heat-pump ready. Sell the potential for a heat pump.

Chapter 5: Interior Staging & Lifestyle

Once they are inside, you are selling a lifestyle. You need to help them visualise living there.

The “Bi-Fold” Effect

Nothing sells a summer lifestyle like connecting the kitchen to the garden. If you have a dark dining area with a small window or an old sliding door, swapping it for Bi-Folding Doors can transform the space. It turns a “room” into an “entertainment space.”

Don’t Devalue Your Home: Style Matching

Not all new windows add value. In fact, the wrong windows can devalue a property significantly.

Preserving character: A timber bay window adds immense value to a period home, whereas incorrect PVC can devalue it.

The Victorian/Georgian Trap: If you live in a period property in Winchester or Romsey, ripping out original sash windows and replacing them with cheap plastic casements is a financial disaster. Use premium “Timber Alternative” windows like Residence 9 instead.

Chapter 6: The Legal Minefield (Compliance)

This is the chapter that saves you from a collapsed sale. It is boring, but critical.

When you accept an offer, the buyer’s solicitor will ask for these certificates. If you cannot provide them:

1. The sale halts.
2. You will be forced to pay for an “Indemnity Policy”.
3. Or, you may need a retrospective inspection from the council (expensive and risky).

Chapter 7: Managing the Survey

You’ve accepted an offer! Celebration time? Not yet. The surveyor is coming.

The surveyor works for the buyer’s mortgage lender. Their job is to find problems. The most common reasons for down-valuation (known as “Gazundering”) are:

• Damp: Often caused by blocked gutters or failed double glazing seals.
• Roof Issues: Slipped tiles or rotting fascias.
• “Blown” Windows: Condensation between panes.

The “Glass Only” Hack: If your frames are fine but the glass is misted, KJM can replace just the glass units. This is much cheaper than new windows but removes the “defective glazing” flag from the surveyor’s report.

Frequently Asked Questions