When considering any sizable home improvements, it’s important to weigh up the value it might add to your property against the costs involved and any other perceived benefits.
Unless you’re purely upgrading your space for your own comfort regardless of any return on investment, it’s sensible to make sure that any work you carry out on your home will add to its value when it comes time to sell.
After all, our home is typically our largest investment, so it makes sense to protect and improve on its value over time.
Carrying out a crawl space encapsulation is a surefire way to add value to your property, as it provides better air quality, stops pests, and improves the overall structural integrity of your home.
While renovating your bathroom or kitchen can increase the value of your home by up to 15 percent, it also costs thousands to do properly. Not all valuable home improvements have to cost the earth to be worthwhile.
On the other hand, encapsulating your crawl space can cost as little as $1,500 and is guaranteed to add value to your home.
In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know about encapsulating your crawl space, covering the following questions:
- What is crawl space encapsulation?
- Do I really need to encapsulate my crawl space?
- What are the benefits of encapsulated crawl space?
- What are the cons of encapsulating a crawl space?
- Do I need a dehumidifier in my encapsulated crawl space?
- Does crawl space encapsulation add value to your property?
- How much does crawl space encapsulation cost?
- Will crawl space encapsulation lower my home insurance?
What is crawl space encapsulation?
If your home has a crawl space, it can cause significant harm to the structure of the building. Since over 50 percent of the air circulating your house comes from your crawl space, it can make the air unclean – especially if your crawl space has black mold or spores.
In the worst-case scenario, a non-encapsulated crawl space can make you and your family unwell. Crawl space encapsulation is when a professional covers the area in plastic and effectively seals the space.
A dehumidifier is also installed within the crawl space to keep moisture levels down and stop the spread of mold.
Do I really need to encapsulate my crawl space?
Encapsulating your crawl space is a guaranteed way to improve your property’s air quality and overall value. It’s a simple project to undertake that goes a long way in stopping the spread of mold and pest infestation, as well as maintaining your property’s structural quality.
What are the benefits of encapsulated crawl space?
The benefits of encapsulating your crawl space include the following:
Better air quality-
As we’ve previously said, encapsulating your crawl space can improve the air quality since it stops moisture from spreading black mold and mildew, affecting your air quality.
Increased house value-
If you want to add value to your home, a crawl space encapsulation will make it more appealing to prospective buyers.
Fewer pests-
If your crawl space is encapsulated, fewer pests can make their way into your home, and you’re less likely to face a serious infestation. Pests that often make a crawl space their home include rodents, termites, cockroaches, and crickets.
What are the cons of encapsulating a crawl space?
There are minimal downsides to encapsulating a crawl space. However, there are some cons that you should take into consideration before making any decisions.
The first is that you’ll need to pay an initial high expense to install the encapsulation and pay for
regular maintenance costs to make sure there are no leaks or damages.
You’ll also likely have to pay to maintain the dehumidifier you install and any other systems, like drainage trenches. This machinery will need to be maintained yearly to ensure it’s in good working order and adequately sealed.
Do I need a dehumidifier in my encapsulated crawl space?
We recommend installing a dehumidifier in your crawl space for several reasons. These are:
A dehumidifier adapts to your crawl space conditions-
If the temperature or humidity rises in your crawl space, a dehumidifier detects this and will increase its outage.
They run without your air conditioning-
A dehumidifier doesn’t need your air conditioning systems to run correctly, so your crawl space won’t get too wet in the colder seasons, preventing the spread of mold and mildew.
Reduces air flow imbalance-
Because your dehumidifier doesn’t affect your air conditioning, your home won’t be affected by air from your crawl space.
Does crawl space encapsulation add value to your property?
Yes, adding a crawl space encapsulation to your home will increase its value, and you’ll be able to list it for a higher price when it’s time to sell.
An unencapsulated space can cause numerous problems, like a pest infestation or black mold, which will put potential buyers off your property. This quick and easy step will make your home far more attractive on the market.
How much does crawl space encapsulation cost?
The amount that crawl space encapsulation costs depends entirely on the size of your home and crawl space. For smaller crawl spaces, you can expect to pay just $1,500, while an expansive area needing significant repairs will set you back around $15,000.
However, the average encapsulation job in the US costs $5,500, making it a cost-effective home improvement option.
Will crawl space encapsulation lower my home insurance?
Depending on your insurance provider, encapsulating your crawl space will reduce the insurance you’ll pay. This is because encapsulation improves the structural integrity of your property while also stopping pest infestation.
Finding the best home insurance for older homes can be challenging, especially since they can be costly to upkeep and insure. A good start would be encapsulating the crawl space to stop dampness, mold, and rot.
Encapsulate your crawl space and improve your property value
To stabilize your property infrastructure, improve air quality, and reduce pests risk, you should consider encapsulating your crawl space.
Realtor Darren Roberston confirms that doing this will increase the desirability of your home to potential buyers and the overall value of your property.
Other home improvements you should make include improving the energy efficiency of your property or carrying out concrete resurfacing.
Even if you’re not looking to sell your property, you should encapsulate your crawl space to improve air quality and make your home a more comfortable place to live.
For more advice on making home improvements that actually add value to your property, check out our latest articles.
