Relaxing outdoors and enjoying a beautiful day or night is nice, especially when it’s on your front porch. The national average cost to build a 200-square-foot porch is $14,400. Most homeowners pay between $4,800 to $24,000. A small porch project can cost as little as $1,440, while a high-end porch with bells and whistles can cost as much as $60,000.
If you’ve always wanted to add a porch to increase your home’s curb appeal or to extend your living space, this cost guide gives you insight into key cost factors to help you plan your budget.
- Average cost
- Cost estimator by size
- Other factors that affect cost
- Related services
- Pro cost vs. DIY cost
- Cost by location
- FAQ
Average costs to build a porch in 2024
| Average Cost | $14,400 |
| Typical Range | $4,800 – $24,000 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $1,440 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $60,000 |
The key factors that affect the cost of building a porch are size, type of porch, and materials. On average, a 200-square foot porch costs $14,400, with a typical range between $4,800 and $24,000.
Once you have figured out the porch’s intended function, you can determine the size and type. For example, if you just want a little shelter from the rain as you enter your home, a stoop may be sufficient. If you’d like to sit out and relax for a while or entertain company, you’ll want something big enough to hold chairs, and maybe even an outdoor sofa or table.
Cost estimator by size
Porches come in many sizes and shapes. It is recommended that porches are at least 6 feet deep. The greater the depth, the more furniture you can place on your porch. The average cost range to build a porch is $24 to $120 per square foot, with a median of $72 per square feet.
The functionality of your porch, porch type, and your budget are some factors that contribute to the size.
If you’re using your porch as a dining area, you’ll want a porch big enough for a table and room to walk around it. You may not need as large or wide an area if you’re just using it for lounging. Likewise, if you’ll be entertaining, you’ll want to pick a size that can accommodate the amount and type of furniture you’ll require.
A very small porch of 60 square feet will cost an average of $4,320. Wrap-around porches or farmer’s porches are quite large. They can cost as much as $60,000.
| Porch size | Porch size by square foot | Average cost range |
| 5 ft x 12 ft | 60 | $1,440 – $7,200 |
| 10 ft x 10 ft | 100 | $2,400 – $12,000 |
| 12 ft x 14 ft | 168 | $4,032 – $20,160 |
| 20 ft x 10 ft | 200 | $4,800 – $24,000 |
| 14 ft x 16 ft | 224 | $5,376 – $26,880 |
| 16 ft x 16 ft | 256 | $6,144 – $30,720 |
| 16 ft x 20 ft | 320 | $7,680 – $38,400 |
| 20 ft x 20 ft | 500 | $12,000 – $60,000 |
Other factors that affect cost
Like most other home improvement projects, the cost of building a porch depends on many factors in addition to size.
Porch type
If you closed your eyes and thought about four different homes you’ve visited, you’d probably see four different types of porches. While porch type can affect porch size, porch type is more about style.
A wrap-around porch is bigger than a front stoop or portico. But not all wrap-around porches or all front stoops are the same sizes. The type of porch you choose will impact how much you spend on your porch project.
The complexity of the porch design will also factor into the cost. Some of the most common designs are listed below, from the most economical to the most costly.
- Front Stoop
- Portico
- Rain Porch
- Back Porch
- Lanai
- Sunroom (also called a Florida room)
- Sleeping Porch
- Wraparound
- Veranda
Porch parts
Contractors will include in their costs the components that come with a porch. A covered porch will have a roof. All porches will have flooring. Other porch parts include stairs, railings, skirts, and posts or columns.
The materials and style you choose for porch parts will probably be the same as the porch, but can be affected by one or a combination of the following: your home’s current architecture, the porch type, and your preferred style.
The style of your parts can also affect the cost. For example, a Victorian-style column will cost more than a basic post. You can mix materials and styles to fit your aesthetic taste or for functionality. Here are some typical prices for porch parts.
| Porch parts | Average costs with installation |
| Flooring | $700 – $10,700 |
| Railing | $400 – $1,200 |
| Stairs | $365 – $1,935 |
Porch materials
The building materials are a key factor in the cost of a porch. Prices depend on the type of materials and size of the porch. Most porches are built with wood, composite, or concrete. Wood materials cost between $1.00 and $5.00 per square foot.
Some materials are particular to certain porch parts. For example, vinyl, aluminum, wrought iron, and cable are some of the materials used for railings. Vinyl is the least expensive. Wrought iron and cable are the most costly. Brick, stone, and aluminum are some of the choices for porch flooring. Both roofs and railings can be made from glass material.
Porch foundation
All porches have a foundation. There are basically two types of porch foundations, depending on the type of porch you’re building.
Pier-style foundations raise the porch from the ground and require stairs. Pier-style foundations cost between $5 and $8 per square foot. The other type is poured concrete, also called a slab foundation, which ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot. A slab foundation keeps the porch at ground level. Most porches have a pier-style foundation, but some porches, like a lanai, use a slab foundation.
Labor
Labor costs are affected by the complexity and the size of the porch. Contractors charge by square footage or hourly. Expect to pay between $20 to $40 an hour. If you want to save money, a smaller porch will fit more into your budget. A porch on a slab with no add-ons will be cheaper than a raised porch with a more complex design.
Permit
Check with local authorities about the need to obtain a building permit before you start your porch construction. Also, be sure to find out about building codes. Codes may require railings to be installed based on how high the porch is from the ground. Make sure your budget is prepared for any specifications. A permit costs, on average, about $190.
Porch add-ons
Do you want a ceiling fan to stay cool in the summer? Maybe you want the convenience of electrical outlets as you sit out and enjoy your favorite beverage. These features, including the addition of walls, windows, or screens will increase your costs. Depending on the feature, you may have to hire additional laborers. For example, you’ll have to hire an electrician to install electrical outlets.
Electrical installation is $400. A ceiling fan costs about $300. To stay warm year round will cost $545 for heating.
An awning can be added instead of a roof, and you can make your porch wheelchair accessible by adding a ramp. Expect to pay between $300 and $950 for an awning, with canvas fabrics being less expensive than metal. Manual and retractable awnings are between $505 and $10,740. A wheelchair ramp averages between $1,215 and $3,365, and must meet ADA requirements.
Screening
Adding screens helps the fresh outdoor air to circulate in while keeping the bugs and mosquitoes at bay. You can have a screened-in porch built or in many cases add screens later and save money.
A new screened-in porch costs between $6,480 and $26,490. Having screens added costs an average range of $8.40 to $12.45 per square foot for material and labor. If you have the tools or can borrow them, you’ll save even more by doing it yourself. Here are some of the materials screens come in:
| Screen material | Average price per square foot |
| Fiberglass | $0.15 |
| Aluminum | $0.30 |
| Polyester | $0.60 |
| Stainless steel | $1.00 |
| Brass | $6.00 |
A more expensive option is solar screens for $6.25 per square foot. If you want the best of both worlds, you can add screens and take them away at the push of a button with motorized screens, which cost an average of $3,000 per unit.
When you set out to complete one home improvement project, you often find there are additional projects that are needed either before or after. Here are some landscaping services you may need or want.
- Lighting
- Flower bed installation
- Shrub and bush removal
- Shrub and bush trimming
- Fence installation
- Porch repair
Lighting
Lighting installation costs depend on several factors, including the number of lights, size, and installation complexity. In-ground lights are a nice touch to brighten up your front yard. They typically cost between $85 and $250. A lamp post will cost $400 to $1,000.
Flower bed installation
Outlining your porch with beautiful plants and flowers will add to your enjoyment of this outdoor living space. The size of the flower bed is a major cost determinant. Most homeowners pay an average of $2,500 for a 5 x 12-foot flower bed.
Shrub and bush removal
You may have to make room in your yard for a porch. Fortunately, you can have both shrubs and a new porch, but you may have to reconfigure your greenery. Most homeowners pay between $260 and $640 for shrub and bush removal. The size of the shrubs, plant type, and soil type will factor into the total cost. But don’t worry, you can transplant shrubs to another area in your yard and save the cost of having to buy more.
Shrub and bush trimming
Now that you have an extra space to sit and lounge or visit with company, you won’t want the view disturbed by overgrown shrubs and bushes. Expect to pay an average of $6 to $12 per bush for trimming. A contractor typically charges $50 to $75 per hour.
Fence installation
A new fence is a great way to keep stray animals off of your porch. It’s also a way to decoratively define your outdoor space. A new fence can cost as little as $500. The national average range to have a fence installed is between $2,000 and $4,500.
Porch repair
After researching the cost to build a porch, you may decide that you’d rather repair your existing porch. Perhaps you’ve decided to do both – repair an existing porch and add another porch in a different location.
Whether you need porch repair now or in the future, after the porch builders have constructed your new porch and it has gone through years of wear and tear, it’s always good to get an idea of short-term and long-term expenses. Porch repair costs homeowners an average of $2,365, depending on the extent of the damage.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
Unless you are purchasing a simple prefabricated porch kit, it’s best to leave porch construction to professionals. Even with a kit, you may want to hire a pro. A prefab porch costs between $10,000 and $20,000. It arrives with sections like railings already assembled, and with other pieces ready for the homeowner or contractor to put together.
Cost of building a porch by location
The availability of labor and materials in your area affects the total cost of your porch project. Contractors may charge more the farther they must travel. If materials must come from a location farther away, shipping costs will be higher.
The area you live in can affect building code requirements. Some locations may have fire resistance standards. Check with your local authorities. If restrictions or specifications affect the type of materials you must use or that require extra or more complicated work, it will affect the overall cost.
FAQ about building a porch
A porch increases curb appeal and extends the living space. Homeowners can get a return on their investment from adding a porch, but how the porch impacts your home’s resale value will depend on the quality of the work, and the porch’s functionality and appeal. If the porch is sturdy and secure and potential buyers feel it will benefit them, you have a chance for a higher return on your investment.
The time it takes to build a porch depends on the weather, availability of labor, and the homeowner’s schedule. Expect a porch-building project to take anywhere from three to 16 weeks to complete.
But keep in mind other factors that contribute to the length of the process, like the time it takes to get permits and the complexity of the porch design. A simple porch on a concrete slab will not take as long as a raised porch with a roof and columns.
The best time to build a porch is during the cooler months. More people build in the summer, so contractors are busier. In the fall and winter, the wait time will be shorter. Contractors are more likely to have sales or negotiate prices. This is also the time of year when building materials can be found at a discount or on sale.
Final thoughts
Adding a porch to your home is one of the more costly home improvement projects. But it can add value to your home and your life.
It gives children a place to get out of the house without actually leaving the premises. You can keep an eye on them and give them some privacy at the same time. If it’s an enclosed porch or sunroom, it’s a great way to get out of the house (or at least feel like you’re out of the house) in inclement weather.
Whether you want an area just large enough to serve as an entryway to your home or a parlor-like front porch to lounge in your rocking chair and watch the rain fall, a professional can help you get started today.
Note: LawnLove may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
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