All About Your Deck
In the South, most of us grew up with relatives who designated summer evenings as “porch weather,” and this sentiment is true all across the United States. Now that we’re in the middle of the summer season, decks are being used in every corner of the country for entertainment and leisure.
You can see here that we’re adding a deck to a recently purchased investment property in Atlanta:
Decks are so popular that many sellers and even investors are taking the initiative to add them prior to selling. It’s important to remember that the value a deck adds is limited to buyer appeal (fortunately, it’s a wide one) rather than a set dollar amount. You’ll want to study your local real estate market to be sure you’re making improvements that home buyers want and will pay for, which should pretty much be the rule for any addition to your home.
So how should you go about adding a deck? For starters, especially if you’re an investor, you shouldn’t go about it yourself. A deck will add a lot more value if it’s professionally done, so hire the right contractor to do it. Work with a competent professional who has the time, the tools and experience to handle the complex installation problems. Decks and patios aren’t the most difficult home construction projects, but its nonetheless important to hire someone who knows what they’re doing and comes with good references.
You also need to formulate a plan that keeps your initial reasons for the addition in mind: do you plan to sell your home soon, or are you wanting to use this added deck yourself for a few years? This has implications as far as maintenance and upkeep. Your plan should include a practical budget. You want a reserve of at least 10 to 20 percent of your budget to cover unexpected costs or changes, and take it from us – something always comes up.
Your contractor can help you develop a working timeline that allows plenty of leeway to finish the project, but you want to be on top of this well in advance, even before you begin your contractor search. In most municipalities, you need a building permit before you begin, and don’t forget to check building codes and zoning ordinances to make sure you have a working knowledge of the city’s restrictions and regulations.
When choosing the shape, style and materials, keep in mind the architectural style of your home and the amount of space you have to work with. As a helpful tip, if you keep your selection limited to no more than two building materials, that will give you more flexibility in the construction process and in the final finishing stage. Using too many different materials can actually lead to the area being too complex and result in a poorly executed construction or cause the finished product to have a cobbled-together look.
It’s incredibly important to note that your home is shaped a certain way and you have certain restrictions on space. You need to account for this when planning your design. As you can see in this video taken before we began construction, we looked at the shape of the home and what kind of deck would fit best:
In other words, be realistic about your space needs and restrictions. How many people would be using the deck, by your best estimate? A good rule of thumb is to allow for 20 sq. ft. per person-a space, which is comfortable but not terribly excessive.
Consider the amenities you want the space to have and be realistic about their applications. For example does the deck need to house a grill? On a more extreme end, are you really going to install that hot tub “someday?”
This is purely about what you and your family, and what prospective buyers, might want to do outdoors on a deck. Should there be a dining area? Does it need to be screened in from biting insects (a reasonable concern if it’s beachside property in a hotter climate)? Should there be a roof and fans?
As you can see in the above video, we’ve used the shape of the house to define how the deck should be constructed (you can keep up with more renovations here). Done properly, a deck can be worth every bit of its construction cost just in enjoyment of your home alone.
From a seller’s or investor’s point of view, decks and patios are practical and valuable additions, and depending on the demands of your local real estate market they typically recoup most of their original construction cost. Thorough planning at all stages is extremely important, though. A well-designed space, large or small, should be determined well before the construction process begins.
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– Get It Right Solutions