Homeowners looking to spruce up their gardens with a fresh coat of fence paint this summer should be cautious about their colour choice, as experts warn certain shades could reduce property value by up to 5%. While painting fences is a popular DIY task, bold or poorly maintained colours may put off potential buyers.
Jonny Christie, co-founder of The Property Buying Company, advises that bright red fences can be polarising, dominating outdoor space and making it harder for buyers to envision the garden as a neutral extension of the home. He suggests such a fence could devalue a property by 1-3%.
Yellow fencing, according to Christie, tends to weather rapidly and unevenly, creating an impression of poor maintenance even if the rest of the property is in good condition. This could knock 1-2% off the home's value. Similarly, dark brown fences that appear faded or patchy can make a garden feel tired, potentially reducing value by 3-5%.
Christie warns that any excessively vivid or fluorescent colours limit mass appeal, as buyers prefer to picture themselves in a neutral space. Strong personal choices in fence paint could reduce a property's value by 3-5%. He advises homeowners planning to sell to consider repainting fences in more neutral shades to avoid deterring buyers.
