Preferred outdoor living spaces

[jocentex]

I am NOT associated with the appraisal business. My wife and I have been debating the merits of adding a conventional deck or a flagstone type outdoor living area. Decks were much more popular years back but tailed off due to maintenance. The composite materials seem to have advanced a lot. Today we see more stone. From a value standpoint, and from your experience, are there any considerations that we should take into account in making this decision?

 

[Michigan CG]

First of all you have to remember one very important thing.....

COST DOES NOT EQUAL VALUE

A deck or a patio has the same UTILITY.....

Utility
The ability of a product to satisfy a human want, need, or desire.

Someone may spend $10,000 on a 400 SF deck and someone might spend $3,000 on a 300 SF deck. Someone might spend $10,000 on a Flagstone patio and someone might spend $2,000 on a concrete patio.

These various outdoor amenities might or might NOT add varying degrees of value. They all have the same purpose and utility. It is only worth what a willing buyer is willing to pay for the amenity and typically when a person is buying a home the deck or patio is nice, but the other amenities of the property typically far out weigh the outdoor "living space".

 

[Rick Neighbors]

It depends!

Well, you may have answered part of your own question, when you made the statement about the outdoor decks maintenance and falling from favor.

You might want to consult with a local Appraiser.......duh, I just saw where you are. :blush:

Here in Texas, some items do have more value than say up north. Like a swimming pool, long warm swimming season down here, up north...not so much.

I live and appraise in Texas, and I enjoy the out doors. So a really nice outdoor barbeque area would be of more value to me than someone that would rather be indoors.

As for the composite aspect, it would be up to the Appraiser to do the research to see if there is added value for that feature. If outdoor "living space" as you call it is common for your area and for your neighborhood, then the lack of maintenance might factor in. But I doubt that it would be a big factor. If the Appraiser pulls comps from your neighborhood, and some have just a plain open concrete patio, but some have extensive decks with lots of features, then an adjustment might be in order.

However, it may be more of a sales tool for your real estate agent than a value addition for the home.

And, if it pleases you, do it! You are building it for you and your family. Like putting plastic seat covers on all your furniture so the next guy can enjoy the furniture's condition. While all the while you sat on plastic! :new_smile-l:

Just my opinion.

I would try to interview some local Appraisers though. This site has an excellent way to search for them!

Rick

 

[Mike Boyd]

Don't forget the stone (flagstone, etc) and concrete absorb and retain heat. I guess you can cool it off with plenty of water but sometimes you might not want to spend that time. On the other hand, kids cannot play with their toys on a wood or composite deck like they can on concrete. There are many factors but I do not place much, if any, value difference between a $10,000 deck and a $2,500 concrete patio. Rick is right, though. It is for your enjoyment, so, whatever makes you happy.

 

[panappr]

I am NOT associated with the appraisal business. My wife and I have been debating the merits of adding a conventional deck or a flagstone type outdoor living area. Decks were much more popular years back but tailed off due to maintenance. The composite materials seem to have advanced a lot. Today we see more stone. From a value standpoint, and from your experience, are there any considerations that we should take into account in making this decision?

From personal experience, I've had a large custom covered deck for 10 years, the maintenance is horrible (redwood), have been debating whether to remodel with the new tech/deck materials or demolish and redesign with concrete, brick or flagstone which has an ever-lasting life (cost believe it or not is about the same). From a marketability standpoint the ladder would more advisable. Anyone whose ever had a deck, knows there is maintenance involved, no matter what the material.

Ask yourself...wouldn't you rather just want to use a power hose on it and just forget about it.

 

[Mike Boyd]

From personal experience, I've had a large custom covered deck for 10 years, the maintenance is horrible (redwood), have been debating whether to remodel with the new tech/deck materials or demolish and redesign with concrete, brick or flagstone which has an ever-lasting life (cost believe it or not is about the same). From a marketability standpoint the ladder would more advisable. Anyone whose ever had a deck, knows there is maintenance involved, no matter what the material.

Ask yourself...wouldn't you rather just want to use a power hose on it and just forget about it.

Ladder? I would prefer stairs...but to each his own. LOL

 

[panappr]

Ladder? I would prefer stairs...but to each his own. LOL

I hope TC doesn't see this.

 

[Metamorphic]

Im shure hell sea et.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

"Today we see more stone."

market value is in the eyes of the beholder / buyer. If seeking improvement for long term, personal, luxury ...........whatever your family desires makes sense. If improving to maximize return on investment (refinancing OR sale)........ keep up with the Jones' is the way to go. The comment you made above is an indicator you should bear in mind. p.s. could always do a half-n-half .......raised deck 2-3 above stone or concrete slab portion of your "outdoor entertainment center" ....finished off with a Stone or Brick Fireplace for BBQs.

 

[Restrain]

If it is common in your area to have concrete or decks, then flagstone will be an over-improvement. However, if some areas have the larger patios, with flagstone and outdoor kitchens, then it would fit right in.

But again, cost does not equal value.