Deck Addition: Return on Investment

Adding a deck to your home is one of the most worthwhile of all home improvement projects.

One of the reasons that a deck is such a good investment is because it increases living area at a minimal cost per square foot. The national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000-square-foot home is about $85 per square foot, according to the National Association of Home Builders. However, the construction costs for a wood deck are less than $35 per square foot.

The return on your deck investment will vary according to the region in which you live. In the Pacific West, where construction costs are generally higher than other parts of the country, decks are more expensive to build. However, the return on investment is also higher than other regions. Part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that in many areas of the temperate Pacific West, the outdoor living season is virtually year-round, making a deck a solid investment.