How Much Does it Cost to Build a Porch

Building a porch on the façade of your home can offer a beautiful addition to the great outdoors. Whether entertaining or simply enjoying a summer evening breeze, homeowners like yourself often splurge to add this home accompaniment. But with any renovation project, there are always costs involved. So, exactly how much does it cost to build a brand new porch?

Of course, prices vary according to the size of the project, the materials and the complexity of the job. However, before starting any type of work, it is possible to get a general idea of the total cost and that’s what we’re here to offer.

Porch construction and installation prices

As we mentioned, the type of material and style of porch you choose will deeply affect its cost. Several types of porch materials exist on the market and they include wood, steel, wrought iron, PVC, mixed aluminum and so forth. We’re going to go over the average costs of the most commonly used materials.

Average price of a PVC porch

The least expensive option in terms of materials is PVC. Available in a wide variety of colours and shapes, a PVC porch is very quick and easy to install even for the novice homeowner. It’s possible to build a PVC porch for approximately $500 to $1,000 per square meter. When we think about it in terms of a 20 sq. meter porch, the cost will range anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000.

Average price of an aluminum porch

Aluminum porches are the most common form found on the market as a result of their durability alongside their accessible price. If you’re working on a budget and hoping for a mid rang material, then this is definitely the way to go. Much like PVC, aluminum porches are both quick and easy to install. For this type of material, prices vary between $600 and $1,200 per sq. meter. Again, for a 20 sq. meter porch, you’ll be paying anywhere between $12,000 and $24,000.

Average price of a wood porch

If you wish to invest in something that will look more like a home extension, wood is the way to go. Wood is the most effective material in terms of natural thermal insulation as well as soundproofing. Not only this, if you wish to extend the roof, wood is one of the only materials you can use that is able to support the extra weight on its structure.

Luckily there are different grades of wood on the market, so even if you’re working with a smaller budget, it’s still possible to use this material. When it comes to using low-end wood, you will pay approximately $500 to $900 per sq. meter. 

However, for a high-end material, and this constitutes one which doesn’t require regular maintenance, the total cost will revolve around $800 to $1,500 per sq. meter. For a 20 sq. meter porch, you will pay around $10,000 to $18,000 for a lower-end product and $16,000 to $30,000 for a high-end wooden porch.

Average price of a steel or wrought iron porch

Source : Canva

Still, within the high-end category, wrought iron or steel porches are especially luxurious as they can add a significant amount of value to the resale value of your home. Steel and wrought iron are very resistant, resilient and able to support the extra weight of a roof. 

If you wish to extend your house’s roof on top of the porch then this material could definitely be a viable option. For either of these materials, you should expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 per sq. meter. This means that for a 20 sq. meter porch, you will pay between $16,000 and $30,000.

Factors that affect the cost of a porch

There are several things that will affect the overall cost of your porch and these needs to be taken into consideration when reading the rest of our article. First, let’s consider size as one of the determining factors playing into the cost of a porch. 

A smaller deck or porch will obviously require fewer materials including deck boards, posts, joists, screws, nails or connectors. Not only this but when it comes to working with a professional, the cost of their time will be a factor. Obviously, a smaller deck will take less time to build and thus, will cost less.

Another element playing a major role in the cost of your deck is how extravagant you choose to make it. Using high-end materials as well as pulling all the stops to aid in maintenance and functionality will come out higher on the cost scale. However, using better materials will offer longevity. Working with cheaper materials upfront will keep down costs, but the structure might not be as long as it might be with sturdier materials.

Lastly, where you’re placing your deck could have a huge impact on your overall costs. If you plan on having your deck sit low to the ground and propped up on deck blocks this will keep costs down when compared with digging or levelling the ground off. Adding gravel, paver stones or other elements underneath where your porch will be placed will increase your budget.