Does Hardscaping Add Value to Your Home? 5 Features That Could Help

These outdoor upgrades will benefit both your backyard and your bank account

A mother and daughter hugging on backyard deck
Photo: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images
A mother and daughter hugging on backyard deck
Photo: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Hardscaping is a great way to increase the value and enjoyment of your home. 

  • Adding a fire pit will give you about 67%–80% ROI.

  • Decks and patios increase your living space.

  • A new deck can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to build and net you an ROI of over 70%.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Hardscaping can be a good way to add value to your home, both in the way you enjoy your outdoor spaces and in the equity it adds to your property. However, not all hardscape projects are created equal. Some of these designs will definitely get you more bang for your…brick. Before you break ground, check out this list of hardscape projects that will net you the biggest return on your investment (ROI).

What Is Hardscaping?

Hardscaping is any outdoor landscaping feature that is both hard and moveable. It encompasses several different elements of your yard—including pavers, retaining walls, and even wood arbors—but for the purpose of this article we’re going to stick to stone-based projects. 

Why Does Hardscaping Increase Value?

Adding a patio or deck to your property not only makes your yard look nice, but it increases the liveable spaces around your home. Think about it this way: A brick paver patio can instantly become a dining room when you add a table and some chairs or an extension of your living room with some cozy outdoor furniture and a fire pit. This makes your home more appealing to potential buyers, which raises the value. 

How Much Value Does Hardscaping Add?

You can expect to get 20% to 30% of your investment back when you choose the right hardscaping project. For example, say you’re going to add a $10,000 paver patio to your backyard. You can expect that patio to increase your home’s value by $2,000 to $3,000 when it comes time to sell or refinance. Considering hardscaping projects costs run anywhere from $300 to $30,000, you could be looking at a wide range of values.

5 Hardscaping Features to Increase Home Value 

Here are five hardscape features that you can enjoy while they add value to your home.

1. Decking and Patio

Adding decking or a patio right off of one of the exits of your home can really allow your interior living spaces to flow into the great outdoors. Homeowners can expect around a 72% ROI when they add a deck onto their property and more than 80% for a patio. Decks can cost between $5,000 and $10,000, so you could be looking at between $3,575 and $7,150 in equity. Obtaining an estimate from multiple hardscape contractors near you can help you compare materials, services, and designs before moving forward. 

2. Outdoor Kitchens

There are few things as great as grilling up dinner while standing out in the fresh air. An outdoor kitchen lets you cook a delicious dinner outdoors while still having all of those great indoor amenities. You’ll pay a pretty penny to get your master (outdoor) chef station set up—between $22,000 and $100,000 on average—but with an estimated ROI of 55%, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Or at least, all the way back to the supermarket so you can buy more burgers. 

3. Outdoor Lighting

It can be hard to enjoy your outdoor spaces if you have to limit your use to daylight hours, which is why outdoor lighting has several benefits. You might have to spend between $2,000 and $4,500 to do it right (and to do it right you’ll need a qualified local electrician to help you out), but you’ll see about half of that back someday. 

4. Fences

A girl and her chicken in a backyard
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images

A good fence can do two things: Keep kids and pets in while keeping unwelcome visitors out. It offers your home an added layer of protection while also giving your family a little bit more freedom to move around your yard. That’s why they are such great investments. You’ll be looking at between 50% and 70% ROI for your fence, depending on the materials you use. On average, the cost to install a fence runs between $1,500 and $8,000. 

5. Fire Pit

Being able to step outside after a long day and relax around a fire pit may sound like it would be worth its weight in gold, but it’s actually worth a bit more than that. Fire pits yield around 67% to 80% ROI based on the average cost to add a fire pit to your yard, which is between $300 to $1,400.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to patio pavers
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
luxury patio with brick paver
Jul 11, 2023
Jul 11, 2023
Looking to spruce up your outdoor entertaining area? Learn how much it costs to seal pavers and what factors to consider when estimating your total.
A patio with a relaxing dog and decomposed granite laid on the ground
Aug 1, 2024
Aug 1, 2024
Need to know how much decomposed granite costs? Learn about the factors that affect decomposed granite's price and how much you need for your project.
Natural stone steps
Jul 22, 2024
Jul 22, 2024
The cost of stone steps can vary considerably depending on the material you choose and how much labor is required. This guide shows you the cost of popular stone steps and all the extra fees you need to consider when tackling this project.
Modern patios with stone pavers and patio seating
Aug 14, 2024
Aug 14, 2024
Paver maintenance may not be top of mind when you’re outside enjoying your patio or driveway. But if you want to keep your outdoor space looking fresh and updated, you should follow our tips and learn how to maintain your pavers.
children running and playing in garden
Aug 23, 2023
Aug 23, 2023
Create a beautiful, long-lasting path by learning how to lay stepping stones using our guide and a bit of sweat equity and muscle power.
Permeable Paver entryway to home
Aug 7, 2024
Aug 7, 2024
If you’re looking to upgrade your patios, driveways, and walkways with an eye toward sustainability, you need to know what permeable pavers are.
Share project details to get started.