by Doug Jones
Adding a deck to your property is not just a way of accessing more
sunshine and fresh air. It also increases the market value of your
property and, in the summer, it virtually gives you an extra room - or
two!
Having a deck to access means outdoor eating and barbecuing for most of
us. For others it can mean relaxed sunbathing or a pleasant place to
read. For teenagers, it means a place to hang out and chat and laugh
away from the watchful eye (and ear) of mom. The whole family will
benefit!
Once you have the pleasure and freedom of being able to walk out on your
own deck, you will always want to have a deck. So how much would it cost
you? One quote gives the national average cost for a deck as around
$8,000.00. This is using medium priced lumber and hiring a contractor.
Decks are reported to give a national average of 55% return on
your money when it comes to selling your home, so in terms of
dollar value, over half the money you expend will be returned to
you.
If you live in an some areas of California, the return is quoted
as high as 143% due to its mild climate and consequently the
residents' constant usage of a deck. This means that if you
spent $8,000.00 on a deck you could increase the value of your
property by over $11,000.00! If you make the deck a family
project and invite everyone to help for the weekend, (like the
old days of 'barn raising') you can also cut costs by saving on
the contractor fees.
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Another way to cut costs is to choose economy materials,
but this choice is also dependent on how long you will plan to stay at
the house before selling, and how good you are at up-keep.
If you want totally maintenance-free, these days you can buy man made
composite lumber or all-vinyl decking. Neither is economy-priced but
both are guaranteed to last years and years! Composite lumber combines
properties of both wood and plastic. It is slip resistant, does not
splinter or warp, and needs no sealants or protection. It can be painted
or stained if you want and boasts low water absorption. Composite lumber
cannot be damaged by water, sun or insects.
Vinyl decking is durable in all climates. It is also slip resistant and
has excellent durability against rotting or warping. There is a limited
color choice, it being available in three colors, tan, gray and white,
but one big plus is that it only needs cleaning with a garden hose.
An important quality of vinyl decking is the fact that it is virtually
stain-free. Both the composite lumber and the vinyl decking are more
expensive initially than regular lumber; however, they are also
environmentally friendly. The manufacturers of composite lumber decking
guarantee that they use no virgin wood and specify that they use
re-cycled plastic grocery bags in the manufacturing process. It is
always very cool underfoot.
If you decide to build a more traditional deck and use regular lumber,
the medium priced woods are fir and cedar, with redwood being more
expensive. You can save more money by using pressure treated wood, which
is resistant to insects and water damage, but will not endure the sun so
well in extremely sunny areas.
About the Author
Doug is continually striving to be the best REALTOR® in the San Diego CA
real estate field and has won multiple Top Salesperson Awards. Doug can
help you in your search for properties in the
Lemon Grove real estate market.
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