DECKING SURVEY SHOWS ITS WORTH

The survey of independent estate agents, commissioned by Almura Building Products, has found that decking is one of the easiest ways to add value to property. In the national survey, over 75% of agents recommended installing decking to increase returns. The survey also revealed that decking is most popular amongst 20-30 year olds, i.e. first time buyers. So, it makes sense to add decking at the lower end of the scale, as this is the usual entry point to the market.

From the findings, Almura has revealed a few guidelines to maximise the return on investment. Sellers should consider what the decking is for and how potential buyers might envisage using it. The decking could be used as a practical tool to emphasise another area of the garden, or perhaps even to hide a multitude of sins. It’s easy to mask undesirable terracing or a part of the garden that has always refused to grow. Respondents also recommended never laying decking directly at the exit to the house, but instead to find a suntrap in the garden and place it there.

Once the decking is installed, estate agents suggest making the most of it: “dress it up with lighting and small features to show it to the best advantage.” say Edmunds. The consensus was that decking should look and feel good, to convey the impression of quality. Almura’s Terraza Decking combines the properties of wood fibres and plastic, so it looks like wood, but doesn’t suffer the usual problems. It’s weather-resistant and has grooved profiling, making it virtually non-slip; essential during house viewings!

Choosing the right decking and following these simple guidelines should give potential vendors the chance to make a sizeable return on a small investment.