Regardless of market conditions, a nice outdoor deck is a feature any homebuyer can appreciate. According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS), the size of the average deck on an upscale home has doubled to about 700 square feet in the past 10 years. Most decks (90 percent) are added as a remodeling project, particularly by families with young children. Parents like the idea that children can be outdoors, yet contained in a safe place. The JCHS survey also determined that the cost of the average deck project was approximately $10,347. Although a large investment, the improvement tends to pay off well at resale. According to the 2007 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine, a wood deck addition yielded an 85.4 percent return when the home was sold, one of the highest cost recovery rates. Aside from serving as an inviting haven for relaxation and entertainment, decks can improve the aesthetic appearance of the home and increase its potential resale value.