These functional add-ons can expand a shed and increase its value.
Outdoor structures have a lot to offer, but their original footprint can be stretched even further with a deck. These bonus features provide a place to sit back and savor the surroundings. They can be installed at the entrance to the shed or extended from multiple sides for a wraparound porch effect. The following sources offer some tips on the topic.
UPSELL OPPORTUNITY
Silas Bowling, co-owner of Sheds By Design based near Charlotte, North Carolina, sees positive selling points for including decks with shed sales.
“Shed decks are a fantastic upsell opportunity for shed companies,” he says. “These modular deck sections are designed for easy install, requiring just a two-man install team to complete the job efficiently.”
Their flexible composition can make transportation a little easier. Built to fit inside the building during delivery and easily carried out for setup, Bowling says their decks simplify logistics while enhancing customer satisfaction.
“With a great per-square-foot profitable price, $40 a square foot plus, shed decks provide an excellent profit margin, rivaling the square foot cost of the shed itself. Customers are happy to pay and see the value add,” he says.
“Additionally, in North Carolina, (check your specific state regulations) floating decks meet building codes with less than 12-inch of drop per code with no railings, making them a hassle-free addition.”
This setup basically allows for a regular step up onto the deck. Finish selections offer some variation.
“Customers can choose plain wood or upsell with stain for a premium look, increasing revenue potential,” says Bowling. These features can benefit the supplier as well as the
end user.
“By offering these decks as an add-on, shed companies can increase their sales while providing a highly desirable and functional outdoor space.”
STEP RIGHT UP
At Eastern Shed & Outdoor Living in North Andover, Massachusetts, owner Jared Bartolotta says they do more decks on homes, but they offer the same option for sheds.
“We do a lot of standalone decks on homes, but when someone wants a shed with a front porch and a little overhang, we can do that,” he says. “Our products are all customized to what the customer is looking for. We are on the high end of the shed with all of them customized.”
Shed decks that are available in various colors can be ordered at the same time as the shed or installed at a later date.
“Not too many people want to pay for a custom shed and a custom deck at the same time,” says Bartolotta. “The decks work well with the sheds, so it’s an ask, but not as much of an ask as a standard shed.
“But with a shed that has an overhang, most decks that we do are off the front and have no railing involved because of the height of the shed, so they are more like a patio.”
The end result becomes a step-up deck that features a durable material.
“The majority we do are made from advanced PVC,” he explains. “It’s a little different than composite decking. It does not require a lot of maintenance, but it is on the high point price-wise.”
If a customer has the budget to do the shed and the deck at the same time, that would be more cost effective than adding it on after the fact.
“If they have the finances now and would like to navigate it, they can save 15 to 20 percent with us already being there and ready to go,” says Bartolotta.
“We did a regular storage shed for a family that was right off the driveway,” he says. “The kids are into sports and play basketball, so the wife wanted a deck to sit out there and lounge and watch the kids play.”
The natural extension to the existing structure expands its original purpose and adds a special outdoor spot for the family to connect.
