Deck on my house. Worth the money?

[kherman]

If I were to build a deck(240 sq ft) onto my house (850 sq ft), will my home value go up more than what it cost me to build the deck?

So, if my house is worth $100,000 and I spend $5000 on the deck materials(I'll be building it myself), will the property value go over $105,000?

I am trying to decide if it's worth while to add the deck onto my house as I will only be living there for a maximum of 5 more years before getting a bigger house. I would like the deck, but I will only do so if addig it on would be profitable.

Already did the landscaping

 

[CPA]

My understanding is no additions, renovations or upgrades will put more value on your house than the cost of the change at the time of the change. It may come back years down the road through normal appreciation, but you won't get 110% value on the cost of the addition. I believe several studies have shown that an upgrade to the kitchen has the best return - 94%.

 

[kherman]

I read in a book that a deck has a 70% return on investment. The thing is, stupid me forgot to see if that's 70% as a do it your selfer or if you hire someone to put the deck on.

I have a 2 bedroom house right now, so a deck migh actually be a selling point more than anything else.

Also, the person I bought the house from never realized the place has a winter water view Good for me!!! it's a crappy view, but it does exist

Anyways, does the 70% return pertain to do it yourselfers?

 

[CPA]

That's a good question, you might want to call up an appraiser and see what he thinks.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

i think it would all depend on the deck, the yard, and the housing market...

 

[kherman]

Hrmmm, i'm not sure what I should do. I think it's going to be a simple design, but I do have some interesting ideas in my head since I am doing it on my own Like a covered section with ligts on the top so you can read books on the deck at night. hard to explin. Also, I migh do a "bump out" section which is where i'll put the grill and some shelves for utensils/plates while i'm cooking. Possibly two tiered(sp)

One piece of advice I got from a friend that sells real estate. Make sure when you build a deck, that you have a house with a deck, not a deck with a house. Basically, make sure to keep things in proportion.

 

[T2T III]

I read in a book that a deck has a 70% return on investment. The thing is, stupid me forgot to see if that's 70% as a do it your selfer or if you hire someone to put the deck on.

I'm sure the 70% is calculated on the rate that it would cost someone to do it. Assuming you are a skilled individual, building the deck for $1,000 in materials (vs. $2,500 by a contractor) would be gravy. If this were the case, then - yes, build the deck.

 

[ElFenix]

well, you only have to get 30% of the value of it in enjoyment to be ahead, and you'll probably enjoy it more than 30%.

 

[kherman]

WJE, ELFenix
What you both say makes sense. If a deck costs $1000, who cares. I get to enjoy it for the next 4 years.

I'll be doing the planning this winter

I might do a two tier deck since my yard slopes sideways. not double decker, just a split level type arangment.

 

[Amused]

I'd say a deck is a good investment IF it's done right.

 

[wyvrn]

Instead of a deck, my wife and I laid out a covered brick patio ourselves for less than $500. It was easily a good investment as the back yard looks *much* better. And now the water wont collect next to the house and rot the back door frame anymore. I think we will easily recoup our investment many times over in the additional rental income over time.

 

[Lvis]

I would give careful consideration of the size of it. Not just because of the initial cost of it, but the maintance it will require. If you use pressure treated lumber, you have to stain or seal it at least every two years. If you don't it turns into shredded wheat, it just starts to crack and check until its splinters.

Most decks seem to be too large for what most people use them for. Imho you're better off with a smaller one, but maybe dressed up some. Nicer railing, built in lights, fancy landscaping, etc.

 

[squirrel dog]

Anything you do to improve the overall look of your house will enhance its value . You will not see a dollar for dollar upgrade . Kitchen and bathroom redos have the most uptic value to res. realestate , anything in the yard save for basic landscaping have the least . My wife is a very successfull realestate agent and has been in the business for many years . She likes decks , but like swimming pools , a crappy rotten deck wont help your resale , just like a slimy, greenwater stagnant pool wont either.

 

[NogginBoink]

Assume that you won't.

Now: is spending $5000 on a deck for your house worth it for the enjoyment and use you'll get out of it? If so, build it.

 

[arcas]

If you're building the deck purely to increase the value of your house...stop. You'll do better to invest your $5000 somewhere else over the next five years. There are very few home improvements (improvements, not repairs) that are profitable. A kitchen- or master bathroom renovation might come close but pretty much everything else is a loss.

240 sq ft is a good size for a deck. It happens to be the exact size of my deck (15 x 16). Any smaller and it starts to get cramped if you have more than a few people over for a party. 240 sq ft is enough room to allow your guests to move around without having to squeeze past chairs or the table. If you have nearby trees to shade the deck in the afternoon, it's even better (when I bought this house, the home inspector described the deck area as a "little piece of heaven").
Don't underestimate the amount of maintenance required for a deck this size though. It takes the better part of a day to stain (and remember, the larger the perimeter, the more vertical rails you'll have to stain/seal...) and it acts as a magnet for bird droppings.