Whether it's a simple concrete slab with a sheltering roof or a more elaborate columned structure that wraps around your home, a porch is a distinctive architectural element that creates a transitional area between the world outside and the private space inside your home. Depending on size and design, a porch can simply be a place to pause briefly before entering a house or an inviting space to relax and watch the world go by.
Typical costs:
OneProjectCloser.com explains how to pour a simple do-it-yourself[1] 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[2] 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.
Shopping for a porch:
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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I wanted a portico installed over my front door and replace my cinder steps 42inces x 48 inches with n expanded wood porch of 72 inches by 60 inches. I think this is too high for this project.
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