Are Decks a Good Investment?
For first-time homebuyers, home builders, or just generally handy DIY builders; the question of adding a deck to your home is a major step in the overall improvement of a house.
While everyone enjoys relaxing outside on a deck, porch, or patio; starting to put together the overall cost for a deck estimate can be quite intimidating. Whether paying professional deck contractors to complete the backyard build or keeping costs low with a DIY deck build, planning a deck design can make nearly anyone feel like running for the hills!
It's important to keep in mind, however, the larger value your home and yard will be gaining with even a simple, straightforward build. Create a new focalpoint for your home in the backyard or simply give a growing family more room with a wise home-improvement investment: a deck!
Does Having a Deck Increase Home Value?
In short, absolutely! Beyond the hours and hours of outdoor entertainment and enjoyment your family and friends, a deck addition is a surefire return on investment.
Is a Deck Worth the Investment?
Expand the Usable Square Footage
Planning and building a deck for your family's home is an amazing way to increase living space of an area without the mess an hassle of major construction. Create a second living room, dining room, or relaxation space so your guests can spread out as they wish.
General estimates from 2020 put the cost of constructing a new standard-sized room (20 sq. foot by 20 sq. foot) ranges anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000. This costs varies depening upon the region of the country, the materials used, and the seasonality in which the work is done.
In contrast, the average cost for a 20 sq. foot by 20 sq. foot deck area ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on those same factors listed above. While not a full room, the DIY construction of a pergola or pavilion atop the deck can deliver the same cozy effect.
Also, if the build happens to be an upper-level deck, the installation of a deck drainage system can double the space the outdoors!
A Deck's Return on Investment
Compared to a new room build, finishing a basement or completing an attic, building a new deck costs significantly less while still increasing the area of a home. Backyard structure builds and decks still provide one of the top ROI’s of all remodel or new construction projects.
While not all decks have equal value due to the different climates of regions, material choices, and designs; they do overall prove to increase the property value of a home. The average return on investment reported for a new deck in the 2019-2020 year is roughly 70%.
This is a high percentage compared to the 53% reported for a new bathroom build or renovation or a 44% return on investment for a new addition build.
Highlight an Outdoor Feature
Beyond offering an extra space for outdoor dining, activities, and relaxation; new deck builds can also enhance the visual appeal of the home and backyard itself!
Choose to highlight architectural details of your home, complement water areas such as ponds, streams, or lakes, or create a cohesive outdoor design with a connecting garden - designing and building a deck can increase your home's value by also raising the visual appeal of your entire yard.
