Would you spend $11,000 on a patio given my situation?

[angiesu]

From a buyers prospective having a patio would be a strong factor when making a decision. Years ago we made an offer on a house that was smaller but had an amazing back yard with a pergola. It was worth the smaller rooms. Never did get that house. Turned out we weren't the only buyers interested. We went with choice two that was bigger, and still had a beautiful backyard but no pergola. We spent $6,000 to get that pergola on house two. Won't get our money back but it was worth it. People love it and we easily rent out that property now that we no longer live in it.

[Thinking-man]

Originally Posted by bellmark

Found this post late. random points...

too large for too small a property?
From the initial description of .25 lot and 3,000 sq ft house... already seems to me there isnt much left of the lot. Adding a 1000+ sq ft patio seems like it would be tight, without even seeing a pic.

Will you need a zoning variance for that much surface coverage? Percent of exposed lot remaining is usually covered.

Return on investment
Not everything we spend is based on "will I get my money back". there is a value in enjoying it for years even if you get nothing back. Heck, 1/2 the country lost way more than $11k in the real estate downturn. If you think your family will enjoy the patio and make lasting memories, then go ahead and do it. (I compare it to a vacation... spend $7,000 on a trip to Disney, and after the week is done what tangible thing remains.. just memories.)

Paying someone
Seems like a fair price for that size of a patio. Someoen commented that "why not do it yourself", but you commented the house is paid for so I assume there is enough money in the budget to cover it easily.

House costs
In Southern New Jersey, still very close to Philadelphia... 500k can get an oversized 4,000+ sq ft house on large multiple acre lot. In fact, would probably be the envy of friends.

But I get the other commenters point that having pics and details helps people to provide adequate feedback


anyway.. my first point is the main feedback... seems like a small yard for 1000 sq ft of patio

Thanks for the thoughts. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/38421700-post21.html