Contact All Decked Out

Looking for ways to improve the resale value of your home? With additions like patios and decks, fire pits and outdoor kitchens, and even swimming pools, you can improve the chances of selling your home for more and (in some cases) quicker. Below are the top ten exterior features that can provide better returns for homeowners!

1. Garage Doors
2. Front Door
3. Patios
4. Outdoor Kitchens
5. Decks
6. Fire Pits or a space that would accommodate.
7. Pergola or Extended Roof Overhang
8. Swimming Pool
9. Professional Landscaping
10. Outdoor Lighting

Patios are a sought-after amenity for most homes, making them a valuable addition when trying to sell a home quickly. On average, the cost of building a patio can be as high as $15-$50 sq ft, depending on the size and materials used. That said, it’s estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% to home value but also earn an ROI of over 80%.

Patio options typically include stamped concrete or paver patios. It’s worth going with a premium paver or upgrading to a decorative/stamped concrete. Patios designed with a deck or a roof are very popular. As a deck, the whole width of the back of your home may look overwhelming. We recommend leaving a good amount of yard space for potential future buyers as well. Even though we recommend tailoring your backyard to your family’s needs, resale value is always very important to consider.

Get the best return on your outdoor patio with these tips:

• DO: Add lighting to enjoy your outdoor living room in the evening, and add patio furniture for more comfort.
• DON’T: Take up too much backyard space. Many families love big backyards and green space, so leave enough space for kids and pets.

Outdoor living is the new standard. Decks have a very high ROI. Most Realtors will tell you that a quality low maintenance deck is a great selling feature. Decks are highly rated for the return on investment. A deck adds extra living space to your home at a relatively low price compared to building an alternative enclosed area in your home.

Almost all deck projects require a building permit, but we handle this process for our clients. Our advice to anyone considering building a deck is to first check with your HOA to see if there are any limitations and also with the local zoning department to find out if you have any setback requirements that may cause you to need a variance. Even if you are just replacing decking or adding new steps and railings, many building departments still require a building permit, so it’s always best to check to see if it’s needed. Many contractors will tell clients that if they are rebuilding a deck in the exact same location, a building permit is not needed. This is not true. If you ever have questions about whether a building permit is required, we recommend checking with your local building department. Permits are not usually required typically for minor deck repairs.

We do not recommend keeping your old deck framing if your deck structure is over 10 years old. We do not warranty the existing framing, and there may be noticeable flaws in your existing structure that may be more noticeable with the new decking. We recommend a 40-point deck inspection prior to going with this option and can offer this as an additional service as well. All we can do is make recommendations, but it is your final decision. The framing of a deck is the most important part, so why install high-end decking on framing that will not last as long as your new decking and rails when, overall, the framing is not that much more of an expense?

There are pros and cons to every product. We can go over the pros and cons, but we highly recommend weighing all of your options. Decking has evolved just like technology. Typically, the new lines of decking tend to be the better-performing or better color options. PVC decking tends to be the best for keeping cool to the feet, especially near pool areas, but it tends to contract and expand quite a bit more. The capped composites tend to be hotter to the feet but give a more natural wood look. The best on the market is Deckorators Voyage decking. It’s a mineral-based composite and is a different technology that separates it from all others with amazing benefits.

Absolutely. We prefer this! Our best designs to date have been bouncing ideas back and forth with our clients to get feedback and come up with something really usable and unique. We have a lot of experience with creating the perfect design for your family. We work with the building departments on a daily basis and are very qualified to generate plans for your project. We study the codes of our industry and have some national award-winning designs.

Even though wood decking is cheaper, we have built and serviced enough decks over the years to know that, in most cases, the extra money spent on composite decking is well worth the saved maintenance, work, and long-term aesthetics and durability. Wood is costly in the long term due to the constant maintenance it requires and is not worth the investment unless you’re getting your home on the market and need to sell your home with a deck.

However, we also know every situation is unique, and our team is dedicated to listening to your goals and ideas in creating your dream outdoor space.