Is adding a custom deck a sound investment?

Home improvement projects can be a big investment for homeowners.  A question that is frequently asked when a project is considered is “Will this increase the property value of my home?”  The good news for home owners who are considering adding a custom deck to their outdoor living space is that the answer to that question is Yes.  Any internet search will bring back an overwhelming number of articles on the topic and most will cite multiple industry studies on the topic.  Although the statistics regarding the degree to which the property value is impacted will vary, homeowners can expect their property value to increase between 50% to 80% of the construction costs of the new custom deck.  Although the overall desire is to create a satisfying outdoor living space, the extra bump to your property value makes this project a win-win for the home owner.  There are factors which drive the overall value like geographic market, construction materials, additional amenities to name a few.   

Now that we have established that adding the custom deck to your home will improve your quality of life and your bottom line, lets discuss some of the factors that should be considered when starting the project planning for your new custom deck.  The first thing to consider is the deck building materials.  There are many options including pressure treated pine, composite materials and exotic hardwoods.  Each has it’s own set of attributes, maintenance and cost but are all amazing in their own right.  The return on investment for each of these materials can differ.  Your custom deck builder can help you to evaluate each one to determine the best fit for your project.  The next item to consider is the additional deck options.  There are several to choose from and include accent lighting, roof or pergola shading, custom railings and firepits.  Every one of these items will add a certain charm to your outdoor living space and will bring a certain level of enjoyment to the time that you spending enjoying your new custom deck.  The deck contractor that you choose to complete your project will be able to provide you with a list of upgrades, the cost and potential return on investment for each of the items.  A third aspect to consider is the overall size of the deck.  You have to be careful not to overbuild for the size of the yard that you have.  Finding yourself with more deck than yard can have an impact on the resale price of your home.  Your deck builder should be able to evaluate the size of the yard and design your custom deck to the right proportions for the property.   

Overall a deck is a great investment for your lifestyle alone.  Being able to expand your living space into an outdoor environment is beneficial on so many levels.  The fact that it also improves the property value makes choosing to add on a custom deck a win-win scenario. ​