Neither Pools Nor Gardens: The Outdoor Feature That Can Boost Your Home Value

As a homeowner, you likely want to find ways to make upgrades and incorporate tips to add value to your home. Additions like swimming pools or elaborate landscaping in your garden may take the spotlight. However, there is one outdoor feature that frequently delivers a better return on investment for your property if or when you sell: a pressure-treated wood deck. Adding one boosts your home's value since it expands your usable living space and makes it look more appealing to buyers.

Decks consistently rank high among home improvements. Some estimates place the average ROI to be more than 80%, depending on the market and quality of the build. According to the Journal of Light Construction's Cost vs. Value Report, a new wood deck has the potential to recoup up to 95% of its cost at resale. Buyers are usually drawn to outdoor living areas since they can feel like an extension of the house, and practical exterior spaces are more popular in recent years. Even though the deck won't add to interior living space, it gives people an area for entertaining, dining, grilling, and relaxing outdoors. It's an excellent method for adding more functional square footage, and allows potential buyers to see the home as bigger and more inviting.

Pressure-treated wood offers a good balance of affordability and durability, and visual appeal. The average increase in home value ranges from $3,350 to $9,950. The wood for these decks is chemically treated to resist moisture, insects, and rot. Premium hardwoods and composite deckings are more expensive upfront than pressure-treated lumber.

When you're adding a deck onto your home, it's best to keep the overall design appropriate for your home. There are plenty of mistakes to avoid when designing your deck, but overly elaborate or significantly large ones may not give you the same financial return, especially if you live in an area where there are simpler outdoor spaces. A smaller, well-built deck with sturdy support and quality materials can appeal to many potential homebuyers.

If your home already has a deck attached, consider taking steps to refresh it to improve curb appeal and increase the value. Regular maintenance is necessary for pressure-treated wood. Cleaning, resealing, and undergoing routine inspections can be helpful for protecting and extending the deck's lifespan. If your deck is fairly new, you can make some simple upgrades. Replace any worn railings, add some built-in seating, and paint or stain the pressure-treated wood to improve its appearance.

Even with rising material costs, pressure-treated wooden decks are a budget-friendly way to improve your outdoor living space. You can expect a new deck to cost anywhere from just over $4,000 to $20,000, but it depends on multiple factors that include the layout, size, and features. Even though that may seem costly, the payoff can be substantial. Including a deck among your home improvement projects can bring a powerful return.