Sticker shock for Deck and Screened Porch estimates!

[Anonymous]

We are getting estimates for doing a composite deck with stairs and a screened in Porch in Loudoun county. The area is 20X14 and is high up so will need about 15-20 stairs. The estimates for a deck alone are $20-25K and with Porch are $50-60K!! We were expecting 10-15K for a deck and 30-35K for both. Please tell me these are crazy estimates...

[Anonymous]

keep looking, with covid19 we were able to get a deck built for 10k where some estimates went up to 30k

[Anonymous]

I'm looking in upper MoCo. Any reccomendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:keep looking, with covid19 we were able to get a deck built for 10k where some estimates went up to 30k

Mind sharing a name if you are happy with the work? Was your project comparable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who did your estimate? I would recommend that you stay away from Michael Nash at ALL costs. We had them do a project and it was a disaster.

It’s not them but the estimates are from local companies in FFX and Loudoun

[Anonymous]

I'm in upper MoCo (not the earlier PP). My deck area is 22x20 and I also have an area where we are doing a stone patio about 2/3 of the size of the deck. Our estimates came in at the $20k range. Of course, there are so many amazing upgrades that can be done and we did price out installing an outdoor kitchen as well as a firepit. That added another $20k.

So, I'm thinking OP's estimate for the deck sounds high, but I'm not surprised for the screened porch. They are really expensive because of building the roof.

[Anonymous]

You should see how much a screened porch is for all the bells and whistles, OP. You would really be in shock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in upper MoCo (not the earlier PP). My deck area is 22x20 and I also have an area where we are doing a stone patio about 2/3 of the size of the deck. Our estimates came in at the $20k range. Of course, there are so many amazing upgrades that can be done and we did price out installing an outdoor kitchen as well as a firepit. That added another $20k.

So, I'm thinking OP's estimate for the deck sounds high, but I'm not surprised for the screened porch. They are really expensive because of building the roof.

Thanks for the info. Was 20k for both the deck and patio? Composite deck? That’s a pretty big area!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should see how much a screened porch is for all the bells and whistles, OP. You would really be in shock.

I did get one of those as well but it’s so far out that I didn’t want to post those numbers!

[Anonymous]

Decks are the most overpriced add on. It’s the market, contractors get it here all day long. I know guys that will throw out 40-50k for a small no frills deck. Half the people say yes. contractor gets to pick work half as much or makes twice as much.

[Anonymous]

we love our screened porch, its the best room in the house

[Anonymous]

That sounds right. A screened porch is a room as far as the supports and roof are concerned and it has to tie in to your main house roof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sounds right. A screened porch is a room as far as the supports and roof are concerned and it has to tie in to your main house roof.

Does it count as square footage for size of house?

[Anonymous]

We had a 12x12 composite porch done for $20k. Going up to 12x14-16 would have been an extra $4k, so your 12x20 is probably closer to $30k. Plus height, which probably means harder construction, and you're getting close to $40k...

Can you stick with wood to cut costs? Or do a hybrid composite/wood?

[Anonymous]

Those composite boards are pretty pricy especially if you don't do off the shelf. There is a lot of labor involved with digging the footings, framing, etc. Plus permit. You can price out the boards on home depot or lowes for the basic ones.