With all the economic uncertainty that surrounds us today, we are all looking to spend our money as smart as possible. And most of us are looking to increase the value and appeal of our property, while also raising our quality of life. So where do decks rank on the list of smart and appealing home improvement projects?
From an investment standpoint, according to multiple sources such as Zillow, & U.S. News & World Report, you can expect to recover anywhere from 70%-90% of the cost of a new deck when you sell your home. Variables include what type of decking you use (wood or composite), where you live, size, quality of work, etc. For example, if you have a poorly built deck with expensive composite materials, your return on investment will be much lower than if you have a well built deck, using wood materials. And having a very large, expensive deck built with all low-maintenance materials, will also likely get you a lower percentage return.
According to HGTV, home buyers are concerned with a few interior things like kitchens and bathrooms first of all. But decks rank pretty far up on that list. They also note that decks are increasing in popularity nationwide.
My personal opinion, for what it’s worth, is that decks are more popular in this part of the country than ever before. I think if you have a well built, visually appealing deck, that fits your house (not too big, not too small), that provides an outdoor hangout, and access to the backyard, you should certainly be able to get 80%-90% of your money back. The picture above is a great example of that type of deck, it provides plenty of room to entertain guests, but there is no wasted space. It is built of low-maintenance materials and provides access to the backyard. We have lots of info about different price ranges on our How Much Does a Deck Cost? page, this will help you to get started if you are thinking about a new deck. Or, check our our Deck Cost Calculator Tool to determine a ball-park estimate of how much your new deck will cost.