Every now and then, we get to talk to a potential customer in terms of a return on investment (ROI) when installing a patio cover, screen enclosure, or modular sunroom. Part of the discussion involves the nature of the DIY project versus the number of years one plans to stay in your home.

The ups and downs in our business over the last 22 years have proved to be a reliable economic indicator of what is likely to come. To our mind, we see an economic downturn (recession) on the horizon. Couple that with the increase in mortgage rates and an ever-increasing Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), many homeowners, though inclined to sell, may now find themselves in a dilemma as the real estate market shifts from red hot to lukewarm.

The trend is for homeowners to, yet again, decide to renovate instead of move. It goes without saying that ‘renovate’ is a broad category that will always include the Do-It-Yourself’er! Though we obviously have a horse in this race, the answer to the question posed in the title of this post, even with inflationary pressures and a still-stressed supply chain, is an emphatic YES! If you are inclined toward DIY renovations, believe it or not, you are in the mix with the other 6 out of 10 US homeowners. In other words, you are in great company.

Our best ‘objective’ advice to homeowners will be to focus on projects that work for their current needs and that make improvements to their ‘lifestyle.’ Second, and still, a strong consideration when spending your hard-earned money, is to pick projects that add value to the resale value of the home and to a future owner’s enjoyment of your home.

Though shade sails, umbrellas, and retractable awnings are less expensive and add value to a backyard space, the ROI is low. Permanent aluminum patio covers give you an excellent return on your investment (ROI of approximately 75%-80%), improving the value of your home while adding to a more comfortable outdoor lifestyle.

If you back onto a scenic view near a lake, pond, or forest, you might be concerned that a screen enclosure would impact your enjoyment of a view you have paid for! Today, screening technologies allow for a wide variety of functional multipurpose screening, including nearly invisible screens. Screening in your patio cover or existing back porch enables you to sit outside and enjoy the view more often, with less of a critter factor. Like our patio cover systems, our screened enclosures come in at about a 75%-80% ROI! For your next DIY project, consider your own needs and what would give you, and a future owner, the most use out of your backyard throughout the year.

We have written about sunrooms before (Simple Steps to Sunroom Satisfaction). Depending on the size of your sunroom project, the materials you build it with, and the location of your home, the ROI on a sunroom would be in the 75%-90% range. The benefits and some factors for consideration are well addressed in the link above. The bottom line is a patio enclosure/sunroom, properly done, is absolute gold in terms of added value to both your lifestyle and your home.

So, despite some potentially tough times ahead, a well-thought-out and executed DIY project is definitely something to consider in 2023-2024. Though statistics can be used to say almost anything, most DIY projects, after spending between 10K-15K, add between $7500.00-$12000.00 to the value of your home. 

Remember that who you work with (Home Porch & Patio Kits Inc.!!!) will impact your ability to stay within budget. This will also influence whether you have a high or low post-project regret. Having a low or no post-project regret will result in the sense of accomplishment that comes with having done it yourself and leaves you enjoying a better quality of life.

We look forward to working with you!