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Stone deck & landscaping worth the cost?
Our wooden deck is falling apart, and we'll have to get it replaced. For various reasons (mostly: like the look, less maintenance, one-time cost) we're considering replacing it with a stone deck. A landscaper drew up some plans that are beautiful. The base option comes out to $17,000. If we go with the plants and tree they're suggesting, the total would come to $22,000. I'm torn. We could afford to do it, but I really don't know if we SHOULD. Landscaping does improve curb appeal, sure, to a point. How much would you spend on outdoor landscaping for a project like this? Our house looks OK, but we have a hard time keeping up with basic maintenance. According to the landscapers, the bushes we have in that area are too big for our house.
Re: Stone deck & landscaping worth the cost?
How long do you plan on being in your home? And how will this effect the price of your house? (i.e., What is the return on investment?)
If I were planning on staying long term and the wood deck needed repairs anyway, I would probably spend the $17,000 for the stone deck now so that I could enjoy it. In this market, if you think you are going to sell in the next couple of years I would only do as much as I could see a return in the price of the home.
I personally would not spend $5,000 on trees and plants at one time. Can't you add the trees and plants later on your own? (possibly for cheaper?) If you're not into maintenance though, are you willing to put the effort into taking care of those trees and plants?
If it makes you feel better, I spent $14,000 to repair a brick patio on a house that I was trying to sell and am now renting. I had to do something because it was falling down, but I opted for something nicer than what was there before because of the potential return on investment (which I have yet to recover, but which made my house a more attractive rental).
I wish I could SEE the plans. I'd need to know the square footage, the slope, and the plants (both old and new) to figure out whether it's a good price. And I'd also have to know what part of the country you live in.
If the question is just whether this is a smart investment with respect to real estate value, a realtor could tell you pretty quickly. They use the term "over-improvement" to describe modifications that can't be recovered if the house is sold, because you can't sell significantly higher than other homes in the neighborhood. In other words, whether it's a smart investment has a lot to do with whether or not everyone else in the neighborhood is making $22,000 landscape improvements. If they aren't, you better plan on living there forever to justify the cost.
We're putting in a stone patio this week and being charged $7400. This is a small front walkway with stairs and a large back patio (20x15ish) with stairs as well.
I think what you're describing, though, would be totally different. Raising the stone area is a lot of work and if i were you I'd do the engineered wood as suggested, with perhaps a stone area below. My parents have the engineered stuff and it's fantastic.
The plants? Pfffft. The day I pay someone else $5000 to plant stuff for me is the day I move to a condo.
Have you shopped around for more than one estimate?