Wood Deck: Cost vs. Value

It is still the middle of February and there are piles of snow on every Rochester corner, but Punxsutawney Phil said that spring is coming early this year. You homeowners know what that means: time to start thinking about home maintenance projects.

Whether you're planning on staying in your home for a few more years or fixing it up to move out this summer, a good-looking exterior serves to boost your curb appeal and add value to your house. According to House Logic, there are many ways to freshen up your home's exterior, but one of the most valuable is a wood deck.

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A deck increases your living space and is a nice way to enjoy the spring weather when it comes around. A simple pressure-treated wood deck is a manageable Do-It-Yourself project, and it only requires a good cleaning and sealing once a year to keep it in top shape. 

Professionally built, a wood deck will cost you $9, 327 (national average cost), but doing it yourself can save you up to 50% of that cost. The national average value at resale is $7, 213, giving you a 77.3% recoup on your professionally built investment, and over 100% recoup if you built the deck yourself.

There's still time for snowmen and shoveling, but with spring just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about projects you're going to take on once it gets nicer. A wood deck will allow you to enjoy the sunshine when it gets here, and when it comes time to sell, you'll enjoy the return on your investment.