A Deck Is a Simple Way to Add Space
Adding an outdoor deck is perhaps the most affordable way to expand your home's footprint, and it's an especially good idea if you need to keep up with the Joneses.
"If everyone else in the neighborhood has one, it's probably a good investment to have one too," says Sal Alfano of Remodeling magazine.
Thanks to weatherproof composite materials that have largely replaced traditional redwood decking, the days of warped timbers and messy annual coats of sealant are long gone. That said, decks made from the most popular composites–like plastic-and-wood Trex–typically cost more than wood (about $14,000 for a 16-by-20-foot finished deck). By simply cutting back on square footage, you can easily stay under $10,000.
"Just make sure it's bigger than your average stoop [about 6 by 8 feet]," says Alfano. "Then you at least have enough room for a barbecue and a couple of lounge chairs."
More on remodeling:
• It'll Be a Tough Spring for Home Sellers
• Five Remodeling Projects for Under $10,000