New kitchens and bathrooms top the list of the UK's most popular home improvements, according to a new survey by GoCompare.com home insurance.

Some 44% of homeowners who carried out a major home improvement in the last three years fitted a new bathroom, while 39% opted for a new kitchen. Meanwhile, a third of homeowners upgraded their boiler or central heating system.


Nearly half (49%) of homeowners who undertook major home improvements said they hadn't informed their home insurance provider of the changes they have made - potentially invalidating their home insurance.


The research, commissioned by GoCompare.com Home Insurance, found that the top 10 renovation projects also included garden makeovers, building an extension and doing a cellar conversion. Eleven percent of those asked said they had fitted solar panels.


The survey also found 22% of homeowners are extending or improving their home with a view to staying in their property for at least 3 years, while 13% of those questionned said they were not carrying out home improvements, but are hoping to move in the next 3 years.


Just 5% of homeowners are extending or improving their property with a view to selling their property in the next three years.


Gocompare.com Home Insurance's spokesperson, Ben Wilson, commented: "As well as making your home a nicer place to live, a major renovation project can add to the value of your property and household contents. For example, when modernising a kitchen with new cabinets and worktops, many people will also buy a new cooker, fridge freezer or other appliances and furniture - increasing both the value of their property's rebuilding costs and household contents. So, they'll need to review your insurance to make sure that they've got adequate cover for your new investment.


"If the renovation involves scaffolding or removing doors or windows for any length of time, the property will be less secure, so the insurer may increase your premiums to reflect the increased risk while the work is being carried out."