If you are wondering whether having or building a deck adds property value to the house, the answer is a conditional yes. In today’s blog article, we are going to discuss how decks impact property value because there are some caveats. A deck definitely adds to property value provided that the deck is in scale with the house and neighbourhood, is built well and of quality materials, and follows all the relevant building codes.
Scale
This is something that we have mentioned before in other blogs. It is important that the deck is well designed and in scale with the house. When we talk about scale, we are talking about a fundamental principle of design. Basically, one has to consider the size and shape of the deck as it relates to the size and shape of the house.
The most common issue here is one of size. A deck that is too small for the size of the house will be a detriment, and potential home buyers will view it as something that will need to be enlarged or redone and will cost them money. Furthermore, the deck has to be big enough to be functional. For example, if you want to eat out there, you need enough room to have a table and chairs and be able to pass by the table and chairs comfortably.
Quality
The next consideration is one of quality. The deck should be well made in a good state of repair without any loose boards or missing hardware. A deck typically gives a return on investment of at least 80 percent which is similar to the ROI of a new kitchen.
So, for example, a deck made of composite materials will be more valuable than a deck made just of wood because potential home buyers know that a composite deck has a longer service life and requires fewer repairs—and also has a higher up-front cost.
Legality
The deck absolutely has to be built following the building codes of your jurisdiction. This makes the deck safer, and tells potential home buyers that it is a quality deck that will not need to be rebuilt. A potential home buyer may even ask what company built the deck, or research whether building permits were in place when the deck was built.
It is not difficult for an astute individual to notice if the railings are the right height or if there are railings (at all) when the deck is certain height off the ground. Furthermore, weather-checked boards or peeling paint on the deck will not help you get top dollar for your house.
Our advice is if property resale will be important in the near future, get experienced professionals to build your deck. Spend some time on deciding the deck’s design, size, and functionality. Make sure you having your deck built with good quality materials, and that all applicable building codes are followed to the letter. You want your deck to be fun, functional, beautiful, safe, and add as much as possible to the value of your property. A beautiful deck is like an extra outdoor room for your house. A poorly built deck is an eyesore and a big negative.
If you need some help building or rebuilding your deck, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (604) 626-7100 and let us help you. This is our area of expertise. We can help you design and build a deck that will be a major asset for your house.
Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties and can build or fix any deck around. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.
