Porch Cost

• OneProjectCloser.com explains how to pour a simple do-it-yourself 4x4-foot concrete slab porch using lumber and bags of concrete, with about $50 -$120 worth of concrete, lumber and rebar. A 10x10-foot do-it-yourself concrete porch slab requires some skill and takes about $150 -$250 worth of materials using concrete bags, or $300 -$500 or more if you have redi-mix concrete delivered in a truck; and hiring someone to form, pour and finish a 10x10-foot porch slab could cost $500 -$1,000 or more (there will often be a minimum charge for a small job). Just the Redi-mix concrete delivered for a 50x20-foot porch slab could run $1,000 -$2,000; hiring someone to install a 50x20-foot slab could be $3,000 -$6,000 or more, depending on location and the complexity of the project.
• Add architectural emphasis to your entryway with a portico, a simple covered porch that protects the house and doorway from the weather with a roof supported by piers or columns. HGTV.com describes a two-day project to build a portico on an existing concrete slab for about $700 worth of materials. Some regional companies sell pre-built porticos; an average installation runs $3,000 -$5,000, depending on style, complexity and location.
• Pre-built (modular) porch systems eliminate a lot of the complicated carpentry needed to build a wooden porch, and cost an average of $10,000 -$20,000 with do-it-yourself installation plus the additional costs of any needed prep work (foundation, concrete slab). Hiring a contractor to install a modular porch or build one from scratch can run $15,000 -$45,000 or more, depending on size, style and location. OldHouseWeb.com describes a "budget" wrap-around porch built by a remodeling contractor for $17,000 (with the homeowner doing some of the work).
• A screened porch or sunroom can run anywhere from $500 -$1,500 for do-it-yourself materials for a simple project to $10,000 -$70,000, depending on the complexity of the project and the location.

• A covered porch needs to be at least 4 feet deep to protect both the house and doorway from the weather; at least 6 feet deep to allow people to sit comfortably on the porch; and at least 8-10 feet deep to accommodate a small table with four chairs or benches around it. A porch should match the material, style and proportions of your home. Better Homes & Gardens describes various porch styles.
• Check with your local planning department for set-back regulations (how far your porch must be from your front property line) and building permit requirements.

• FineHomeBuilding.com explains what to keep in mind when choosing a porch for your existing home. Gather samples of porch designs and details which appeal to you and that you think would work well with your house.
• For a simple porch project you may be able to hire a local handyman.

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