A concrete driveway is one of the first things a buyer is going to see about your home. Should you replace it or repair it before you even try to sell? It really depends on the market that you are in and how bad your driveway currently is. Here are a few of the major things you need to consider before making a decision.
Repairing a Concrete Driveway Is About Rising to Standards
Repairing a driveway isn’t always about improving the value of your home. It can also be about rising to the standards of your neighbors. In this case, it isn’t about selling your house for more. It’s also about selling your house at all.
If your neighbors have pristine driveways and are also selling their homes, having a damaged driveway means that your home will take longer to sell. It could also mean that your home sells for less. Thus, driveway repairs are less about return on investment and more about giving your property every chance it can have to sell for a decent price.
Of course, in more expensive areas, you can add value to your property with a unique or modern driveway. If your home is currently priced below market price for your area, you have room for growth. A flashy driveway addition could be just the boost your property needs to improve in value.
It May Not Cost as Much as You Think
Even if your concrete is very badly damaged, you might not need to pay for a complete replacement. You may be able to repair it. Concrete companies can use new technologies to jack up concrete and patch and fill in any cracks. The only way to find out whether your home is a candidate for repair is to contact a construction company; they will tell you exactly what can be done.
Further, if you do need to replace your concrete entirely, it may not be as expensive a task as you think. Replacing a concrete driveway is often estimated at around $10,000 , but you can’t really know the true cost until you contact contractors for bids. You don’t necessarily want to go for the cheapest contractor (they could be cutting corners), but comparing will give you a better picture of the true costs.
Damaged Concrete Is a Red Flag to Buyers
A poorly maintained concrete driveway automatically ages a home. Buyers see settled concrete and think about the foundation of the property. They may also wonder what areas of the property haven’t been maintained.
Damaged concrete often ends up being reclaimed by the natural plant life around it; weeds and overgrowth further add to an untidy and poorly kept appearance. All of this is going to color the first impressions of a buyer, and buyers are going to see the driveway before many other aspects of the home.
A Driveway Can Add Curb Appeal to Your Home
If the current front of your home doesn’t look appealing to you, a new driveway could be a way to improve it. Some new technologies, such as stamped concrete, can be enough to make a home memorable and unique. This update can be inexpensive compared to other solutions, such as changing the siding on your home.
Whether you want to replace or repair your driveway depends greatly on how damaged it already is. You will also need to look at your neighborhood to see what the current standards are. For more information and to get a quote, contact the concrete professionals at Diamond Concrete Supply. We are happy to address any questions you may have.
