Do Dog Doors Decrease Home Value?

Many people don’t even think about their dog door until it’s time to sell their homes. A dog door simply becomes a part of your home like anything else, but not everybody likes them. So, do dog doors decrease home value?

Dog doors don’t affect home value unless they violate safety codes. That said, potential buyers may include a contingency that you must pay to remove and patch the dog door. Remove the dog door before you put your house on the market if it’s on a fire-rated door. This is necessary because a dog door on a fire-rated door is a safety violation and it can affect the appraisal.

You can wait to remove the dog door until you speak to several potential buyers. There’s a great chance they will want you to remove the door. However, dog owners may be drawn to your home if they see a dog door. Follow along as we explore how dog doors affect home value.

Do Dog Doors Affect Home Value?

Dog doors don’t dramatically affect home value. However, a dog door can decrease home value if the house is already inexpensive and has other red flags. If someone can already afford an expensive home, they won’t likely mind the cost of covering up a dog door.

The potential buyer could even request that the seller pays the cost of covering the dog door. However, that may be a bigger issue if the home is inexpensive and somebody wants to buy it outright. Not everyone is a dog person, so some buyers may not appreciate the dog door.

You must also consider that some people are put off by a dog door because it can potentially let pests inside. However, that shouldn’t be an issue with many modern, high-end dog doors.

Are Dog Doors A Security Risk?

Dog doors pose somewhat of a security risk, and that may scare off some buyers. However, that doesn’t directly decrease home value. That said, potential buyers who don’t have a dog will likely worry more about the security risk of a dog door.

You can think of a dog door as a weak point in your home’s security. A dog door that is built into entry doors are especially risky. All it takes is for one person to put their arm through the door, reach up, and turn the knob.

That said, many modern high-tech dog doors are nearly impenetrable. You can also remove and patch the dog door before you put your house on the market. That way, you won’t have to deal with worried buyers who view it as a red flag.

Do Dog Doors Affect Insurance?

Having a dog door doesn't typically affect your insurance premium, but it depends on the provider. For example, some insurance providers may view your dog door as a security risk. In that case, you may have to pay a higher premium to make up for the risk.

It’s always important to tell your insurance company before you install a dog door. Insurance companies hate surprises, and it’s best to tell them about modifications and additions beforehand. For example, they can penalize you if they find out about an addition after it’s been made.

In some cases, they may even void your contract. Granted, that is unlikely for a dog door, but it’s still important to tell them. Most homeowners won’t run into any insurance problems when they install a dog door.

Should You Remove A Dog Door Before Selling House?

It’s a great idea to remove your dog door before you sell your house. However, you may want to wait until you show your house to several potential buyers. That way, you can appeal to dog owners who want to buy a house with a dog door.

However, you should prepare for the possibility that the buyer may request you cover the door. In that case, you must pay out of pocket to remove and patch the dog door. It’s worth waiting until you’ve shown the house, however, because the buyer may be willing to pay for it.

Even still, it’s important to listen to your realtor and take their advice. The housing market is in trouble, so you must do whatever you can to sell your house.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove A Dog Door?

It costs between $350 and $1,500 to remove a dog door. The cost can even exceed $1,500 if the dog door is located on a wall instead of a door. That’s because this will likely require lots of drywall and insulation work.

It can also be expensive to remove a dog door on an entry door. You may have to replace the door altogether. Luckily, you can replace a door cheaply if you simply buy the door and install it without professional help.

While it is expensive, it’s worth the cost if the dog door holds you back from selling your home. You can save money if you handle some parts of the removal yourself. For example, you could repaint the wall after a professional patches the drywall and insulation.

Do Appraisers Care About Dog Doors?

Appraisers only care about a dog door if it’s a safety hazard. For example, they will flag you if the dog door is located on a fire-rated door. Fire-rated doors are necessary for safety at home, and a dog door can threaten its integrity.

A dog door on the door between your home’s interior and the garage will cause an issue. The door between a garage and the home interior is meant to be solid for fire safety. Dog doors negate the fire safety of this door.

That’s because a flame can easily jump through the gap in the dog door and affect the rest of your home. It’s a great idea to replace the door altogether before the appraisal if you don’t want to decrease your home’s value. Otherwise, you can always wait until after the appraisal if you don’t mind a lower rating.

Summing It Up

Dog doors don’t affect home value in most cases unless they violate safety codes. For example, a dog door in a fire-rated door can affect the appraisal and potentially lower your home’s value. Many potential buyers may request that you remove and patch the dog door before they buy your home. In that case, you may want to remove the dog door before you put your house on the market.

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