Are Decks a Good Investment?
by olivares James on Jul 12, 2018
The presence of outdoor decking always influences the resale value of the home. The question is whether this is an exterior home improvement worth investing in or not! The short answer is yes and no. Not a helpful answer, right? That's because there are several variables determining whether or not decks are a good investment. And it's always a relation between deck building cost and resale value. So let's take a closer look.
The Return of Investment of Deck Building
The good news is that decks rank at the top of the home improvement list worth investing in. They have one of the highest returns on investment among other home upgrades. According to the cost vs value remodeling report, the addition of a midrange wooden deck in 2018 that costs $10,950 to build will recoup about $9,065. That's 82.8%. Not bad at all. But don't rush to cheer just yet. The addition of a composite deck in 2018 that would cost $17,668 to build will only recoup $11,239. In other words, it will pay you back only 63.6% of the price you paid for deck construction/building.
The Composite vs Wood Deck Paradox
Potential buyers seem to have a clear preference for real wood decks. They will gladly pay more for a cedar or ipe deck but not for composite decking. That's a tad strange if you think about it. Given that a well-built composite deck will last approx. 25-50 years whereas natural wood decks will hold well up to 25-30 years, one would think that people would be willing to pay at least the same price for composites as they would for real wood. After all, composite decks have the advantage of being low-maintenance whereas a cedar deck will need care often. That's mainly due to the great difference between the appearance of the real and faux wood. As a matter of fact, when the composite deck building cost is higher, the resale value is lower. And so a deck that would initially cost you around $35,000 will only compensate 58% ROI. That's bad.
What Influences the ROI of Outdoor Decks?
- Region
The geographic location in California is ideal for outdoor decking. If your house is in San Jose or any other city in this state where most days of the year are warm, a deck becomes an attractive solution for outdoor living to potential buyers.
- Deck construction quality
The skills of the builder expert will also play a crucial role in the ROI. Well-built decks have a greater value and thus recoup a greater percentage of the initial cost. If deck construction and the building is poor and the deck requires repairs and high-maintenance, the ROI will be low.
- Deck condition
Now, if you already have a deck, the ROI would depend on its condition. It makes sense to say that new decks properly built have a higher value. And so if you want to gain more by selling the house, you need to restore deck damage and maintain it well to increase its value.
- Deck material
Real wood decks will return about 80%-90% of the cost money taken that this is a new construction.
- Deck size
Most people prefer large decks, where they can spend hours outdoors and entertain friends but nobody wants wasted landscape. And so the size of the deck should be big but proportional to the property.
- Access
The easiest the access to the deck the higher the ROI. People want to open the kitchen or living room sliding doors and step on their deck. This helps traffic flow and makes everyone's life much easier. And so each access means a higher ROI.
Overall, decks are a good investment. Remember that wood decks bring a higher ROI and factors, like deck size, quality, and age, play a huge role in the resale value.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
87646 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69732 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
69064 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
47763 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28854 Views
Latest Articles
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Asian Cities
Asia, home to 21 of the worlds 30 largest cities, is a significant player in the global economy, contributing 38% of the goods and services of the...
on Jan 5, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
6 Ways to Save Money on Your Home Heating System for This Winter
With winters approaching, the burden on your bills is going to increase manifold. But does it actually have to be this way? Not this year. Because...
Choosing Fabulous Accessories for Kitchens, Lounges and Bedrooms
Rugs are a very good way to add warmth and character to a room. There are important things to consider when choosing a rug. Follow these simple...
Advanced Cooktops
Some people dislike gas cooktops because they think they are harder to clean. Now they have burners that are removable and dishwasher safe. Even...
How to Buy Electric Cooktops
Buying new electric cooktops can seem like a daunting task. There are so many cooktops out there and you want to make sure you find the right one...
Safe Home Cabling
Accidentally tripping on a mains cable can be both painful and dangerous. Cables that run in the house aimlessly are a health hazard. They are also...