Relaxing outside and enjoying a lovely day or night, particularly on your front porch is pleasant. The national average cost of constructing a 200-square-foot porch is $14,400. Most homeowners spend between $4,800 and $24,000. A basic porch makeover may cost as low, whereas a luxurious porch with bells and whistles costs $1,440
might cost as much as $60,000.
This pricing guide provides insight into significant cost aspects to help you plan your budget for living space.
Average porch construction expenses in 2023
Average Cost
$14,400
Typical Range
$4,800 – $24,000
Extreme Low-End Cost
$1,440
Extreme High-End Cost
$60,000
Size, kind of porch, and materials are the most important elements influencing the cost of creating a porch. A 200-square-foot porch costs, on average, $14,400, with a usual range of $4,800 to $24,000.
You may select the size and kind of porch after determining its intended use. A stoop, for example, may suffice if you need a little cover from the rain as you enter your house. If you want to sit outside and relax for a long or entertain guests, you’ll need something large enough to accommodate chairs and an outdoor couch or table.
Cost estimator by size
Porches come in a variety of sizes and styles. Porches with a depth of at least 6 feet are ideal. The more depth you have, the more furniture you can put on your porch. On average, a porch costs between$24 and $120 per square foot, with $72 per square foot being the median.
Porches are available in a range of sizes and types. Porches with at least a 6-foot depth are desirable. The more furniture you can fit into a depth
fit on your porch. On average, a porch costs between $24 and a median price of $72 per square foot at 120
.
Many criteria, including the utility of your porch, the kind of porch, and your budget, determine the size.
If you want to use your porch as a dining area, it should be large enough to accommodate a table and have enough space to stroll around it. If you only use it for lounging, you may not need it as huge or as broad an area. Similarly, if you want to party, choose a size that can handle the number and style of furnishings you’ll need.
A tiny porch of 60 square feet will cost about $4,320 on average. Wrap-around porches, often known as farmer’s porches, are incredibly spacious. They can cost up to $60,000.
Other factors that affect the cost
The cost of adding a porch, like most other home improvement projects, is determined by a variety of variables other than size.
Porch type
Suppose you were to close your eyes and think of four different houses you’ve visited, you’d probably imagine four distinct styles of porches. While porch type can influence porch size, porch type is more about style.
A wrap-around porch takes up more space than a front stoop or portico. However, not all wrap-around porches or front porches are the same size. The kind of porch you choose will influence how much money you spend on your porch makeover.
The cost will also be affected by the intricacy of the porch design. Some of the most prevalent designs, from the most affordable to the most expensive, are mentioned here.
- Front Stoop
- Portico
- Rain Porch
- Back Porch
- Lanai
- Sunroom (also called a Florida room)
- Sleeping Porch
- Wraparound
- Veranda
Porch parts
Contractors will charge for the components that come with a porch. A roof will be present on a covered porch. Flooring will be installed on all porches. Stairs, railings, skirts, and pillars or columns are other porch components.
Porch pieces will most likely be the same materials and style as the porch, although they may be influenced by one or more of the following factors: your home’s present architecture, the porch type, and your desired style.
The style of your components also influences the price. A Victorian-style column, for example, will cost more than a standard post. Mixing materials and styles may be done for aesthetic or utilitarian reasons. Here are some typical porch part prices.
Porch parts Average costs with the installation
Flooring $700 – $10,700
Railing $400 – $1,200
Stairs $365 – $1,935
Porch materials
The cost of a porch is heavily influenced by the materials used to construct it. Prices vary depending on the materials used and the size of the porch. The majority of porches are made of wood, composite, or concrete. Wood materials range in price from $1.00 to $5.00 per square foot.
Some materials are only appropriate for certain parts of the porch. Railings are made of a variety of materials, including vinyl, aluminum, wrought iron, and cable. Vinyl is the least costly material. The most expensive materials are wrought iron and cable. Porch flooring options include brick, stone, and metal. Roofs and railings may both be constructed of glass.
Porch Foundation
Every porch has a foundation. Depending on the style of porch you’re creating, there are generally two types of porch foundations.
Pier-style foundations lift the porch from the ground and necessitate steps. Pier-style foundations range from $5 to $8 per square foot. Poured concrete, often known as a slab foundation, costs between $3 and $5 per square foot. The porch is kept at ground level by a concrete base. Most porches have pier-style foundations, while others, such as Lanais, have slab foundations.
Labor
The intricacy and size of the porch influence labor expenses. Contractors charge by the square footage or by the hour. Expect to get paid between $20 and $40 per hour. If you wish to save money, a smaller porch would fit better inside your budget. A slab porch with no add-ons will be less expensive than a raised porch with a more sophisticated design.
Permit
Before beginning porch construction, check with local authorities to see whether a building permit is required. Also, be sure to research building codes. Railings may be required by code depending on the height of the porch from the ground. Ensure that your budget can cover all of your necessities. A permit costs roughly $190 on average.
Porch add-ons
Do you wish to keep cool in the summer with a ceiling fan? You may prefer the convenience of electrical outlets while sitting outside with your favorite beverage. The inclusion of certain elements, such as walls, windows, or screens, will raise your prices. You may need to engage more workers depending on the feature. For example, you’ll need to engage an electrician to add electrical outlets.
The cost of electrical installation is $400. A ceiling fan will set you back about $300. Heating will cost $545 to keep you toasty all year.
Instead of a roof, an awning may be installed, and a ramp can be installed to make your porch wheelchair accessible. Tops cost $300 to $950, with canvas materials less costly than metal. Awnings, both manual and retractable, cost between $505 to $10,740. A wheelchair ramp costs between $1,215 and $3,365 and must fulfill ADA standards.
Screening
Adding screens allows fresh air to flow while keeping pests and mosquitoes at bay. A screened-in porch may be erected, or, in many circumstances, screens can be added afterward to save money.
A new screened-in porch ranges in price from $6,480 to $26,490—screen installation costs between $8.40 and $12.45 per square foot in material and labor. You’ll save even more money if you have the tools or can borrow them. Here are some of the materials that screens are made of:
Screen material Average price per square foot
Fiberglass $0.15
Aluminum $0.30
Polyester $0.60
Stainless steel $1.00
Brass $6.00
Solar screens, which cost $6.25 per square foot, are a more costly choice. Motorized displays cost an average of $3,000 per device and provide the best of both worlds. Can add and remove displays at the touch of a button.
Related services
You set out to finish one home improvement job. frequently discover that additional tasks are required before or after. Here are some landscaping services that you may require or desire.
- Lighting
- Flower bed installation
- Shrub and bush removal
- Shrub and bush trimming
- Fence installation
- Porch repair
Lighting
The cost of lighting installation is determined by numerous variables, including the number of lights, their size, and the intricacy of the installation. In-ground lights provide a wonderful touch to your front yard. They normally range in price from $85 to $250. A light post will cost between $400 and $1,000.
Flower bed installation
Adding lovely plants and flowers to your porch can increase your pleasure in this outside living area. The size of the flower garden is a significant economic factor. A 5 x 12-foot flower garden costs an average of $2,500 to most houses.
Shrub and bush removal
You may need to create space in your yard for a porch. You may have bushes and a new porch, but you need to rearrange your flora. The average homeowner spends between $260 and $640 on shrub and brush removal. The size of the bushes, plant kind, and soil type will determine the overall cost. But don’t panic; you can move bushes to another part of your yard and avoid needing to acquire more.
Shrub and bush trimming
You will want the view to be clear from overgrown shrubs and bushes now that you have more area to relax and lounge or entertain guests. You are trimming costs between $6 to $12 per bush on average. A contractor usually costs between $50 and $75 per hour.
Fence installation
A new fence is an excellent method to keep unwanted animals away from your porch. It may also be used to define your outside area decoratively. A new fence may be purchased for as low as $500. The national average for installing a fence is between $2,000 and $4,500.
Porch repair
You may opt to repair your current porch rather than install a new one after considering the expense. Perhaps you’ve decided to repair an existing porch while adding a new one in a different location.
We can assist you with porch repair today or in the future.
After the porch builders have built, Despite being brand-new, your porch has endured years of use and abuse.
Having one is usually a smart idea. An idea of short-term and long-term expenditures. Depending on the damage’s severity, the
average porch repair cost is $2,365.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
Leaving porch building to specialists is preferable unless you are buying a basic prefabricated porch kit. Even if you have an equipment, you may want to employ a professional. A prefabricated porch ranges in price from $10,000 to $20,000. It comes pre-assembled with elements like railings and additional components prepared for construction by a homeowner or contractor.
Cost of building a porch by location
The cost of your porch project is influenced by the availability of labor and supplies in your location. Contractors may charge more the furthest they must go. Shipping expenses will be greater if supplies must be sent from a distant place.
Building code standards might be influenced by where you reside. Some locations may have fire resistance requirements. Check with your local government. If constraints or standards impact the materials you must use, or if more sophisticated work is required, the final cost will be affected.
FAQ about building a porch
Will a porch increase my home’s value?
A porch improves curb appeal and expands living space. Homeowners may earn a return on their investment by installing a porch, but how the porch affects your home’s resale value will rely on the quality of the construction and the usefulness and attractiveness of the porch.
If the porch is robust and safe, and prospective purchasers believe it will benefit them, Your investment could provide a higher return.
How much time does it take to construct a porch?
The time it takes to create a porch is determined by the weather, labor availability, and the homeowner’s schedule. A porch-building job could take about three to sixteen weeks to complete.
However, keep in mind that other factors, such as the time it takes to obtain permits and the complexity of the porch design, contribute to the length of the process. Building a basic concrete slab porch will take less time than building a raised porch with a roof and columns.
The ideal time to construct a porch is when?
The colder months are ideal for building a porch. Contractors are busy throughout the summer since more individuals are building. The wait time will be reduced in the autumn and winter. Contractors are more likely to engage in sales or pricing negotiations. Construction also takes place at this time of year.
supplies are on sale or at a discount.
Final thoughts
Adding a porch to your house is one of the most expensive home improvement tasks. However, it can add value to your home and life.
It provides a location for youngsters to get out of the home without really leaving the premises. You can keep an eye on them while yet giving them some solitude. In bad weather, a covered porch or sunroom is a terrific way to get out of the home (or at least feel like you’re getting out of the house).
A professional can help you get started today, whether you desire a little space to serve as an entrance to your house or a parlor-style front porch to recline in your rocking chair and watch the rain fall.
