Adding Curb Appeal to Your Home with a Front Porch

Your front porch is more than just a functional entryway; it’s an extension of your home’s personality. By adding a few strategic touches, you can transform it into a stylish and inviting space. From modern minimalist designs to rustic farmhouse charm, the possibilities are endless.

Start planning your project by gathering essential details: front porch design, necessary permits, and renovation steps.

At Sweeten, we’re experts at all things general contractors. Here’s how Sweeten works: We pre-screen them for our network, carefully select the best ones for your remodeling project, and work closely with hundreds of general contractors every day.

Outdoor space with potential

As the initial “space” to welcome your guests, the front porch sets the first impression. Much like a foyer, it’s an extension of your interior home before entering the main living area. Turning a porch into a place to relax and socialize would expand the living square footage. As a result, upgrading a front porch will add to your home’s value as well as its curb appeal.  Read on for Sweeten’s pros and cons on porch types, what goes into a porch remodel, and the starting costs.

Remodeling a front porch: Six types to choose from

Any front porch must address your needs. In addition, the front porch should be a seamless addition to the house. Keep your front porch stylistically in line with the rest of the home. This assists with permit applications. Also, it helps the front porch blend in better with the home.

Covered open front porch

A covered open front porch is the most popular, classic type of porch. Many homeowners first think about open porches when they imagine a porch design. This porch has a roof or overhang that is attached to the house. Though this porch has no walls, it often has a railing that helps to define the space and to keep users safe.

Pros

• Traditional
• Unobtrusive

Cons

• Does not protect you from insects
• Partially open to the elements

Screened front porch

A screened front porch is a covered front porch that has a metal or fiberglass insect screen in its open areas. A screen door fills in the open door area. Screened front porches are highly desired in areas that have mosquitoes and other insects. Building a screened front porch is essential to enjoying your porch from spring to fall.

Pros

• Protection against insects
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Screen may tear
• Some rain may still enter the porch

Enclosed front porch

With an enclosed front porch, the walls are semi-solid, much like a sunroom. Often, the lower part of the sunroom walls is solid. The porch’s upper section is devoted to window glass or to insect screens.

Pros

• Extends usage through the seasons
• Electrical wiring is possible for outlets

Cons

• Less of an open, airy feeling
• Can be difficult to keep cool

Full wrap-around front porch

A full wrap-around front porch is any porch that partially wraps across the side of the house. This porch may wrap around two sides (front and side of the house) to form an L-shape. Or the porch may wrap across three sides to form a U-shape.

Pros

• Integrates well with the overall house design
• More floor space

Cons

• More expensive
• Blocks some house windows’ access to direct light

Entertainment front porch

An entertainment front porch transforms your home’s exterior into a luxurious outdoor retreat. Equipped with features like outdoor kitchens, bars, hot tubs, fireplaces, and TVs, it’s the perfect place to host gatherings or unwind after a long day. Some entertainment elements can even be incorporated into open-air additions to the porch.

Pros

• More space for socializing
• More activities

Cons

• May be difficult to recoup investment upon sale
• Accessories require greater maintenance

Open-air front porch

An open-air front porch expands your outdoor living space, offering a breezy, uncovered extension of your covered porch. This versatile area is perfect for enjoying the fresh air while engaging in activities like relaxing by an open-pit fireplace, working out, or soaking in a spacious hot tub.

Pros

• Adds flexibility to the porch
• Creates the feeling of a deck

Cons

• Increases porch’s cost
• Greater weathering due to lack of cover

Basic timeline

Set your budget, scope, and renovation team

• Choose the type of front porch remodel you’ll do by asking yourself a few questions. Firstly, what activity do you imagine yourself doing on your front porch? Do you think you will be on the porch mostly in the spring, and only infrequently? Then, you may want a covered open front porch. Can you imagine yourself on the front porch all through the summer? In that case, choose a screened or enclosed front porch.
• Begin looking for a contractor’s portfolio of work. Read client testimonials and online reviews. Sweeten can help match you with the right general contractor in scope, location, and budget.
• Know your budget. How much do you want to spend? As expected, homeowners like to control the cost of the porch remodel. One way to do this is to only spend available funds. But if you expect that the porch will increase curb appeal enough to boost resale value, then costs will be on the higher end.
• Begin meeting with contractors. Ask about contractors’ schedules and about expected start times. Most importantly, make sure that the contractor is one who shares your vision and is one you can work with.
• Sign a contract with a contractor.

The renovation process

• Depending on the contractor’s schedule, work may begin immediately. A company will deliver a roll-off dumpster to your property. Workers will begin demolishing some or all of your porch. For small amounts of debris, a hauling company may come instead.
• The crew first dig the holes. Then, concrete is poured for the footers. Posts are attached to the concrete footers. These posts, plus a ledger board on the house, support the porch.
• After the concrete has cured, workers install beams and posts.
• Flooring is installed. Your front porch flooring might be an exotic wood or a composite wood. Unless this is a fully enclosed front porch, it is usually best to install durable, weather-resistant flooring.
• The railing and screen are installed if it is a screened front porch. If it is an open porch, usually only a railing is installed. For more elaborate front porches, semi-solid walls may be added.

Permits and restrictions

Most communities require you to obtain a building permit for any substantial modification to your porch. Your contractor can give you advice on whether your front porch remodeling idea will require a permit.

In cities that have historic preservation and historic landmark overlays, you may need to apply for an additional preservation permit. These permit applications usually require a full set of plans, elevations, and photos.

If your house is in a housing association neighborhood, the HOA board must approve your project. HOAs tend to carefully look at how the proposed front porch remodel fits in with other houses’ front porches. Also, rules regarding home alterations should be specified in your HOA documentation. You should have received these documents when you bought the house.

Cost to remodel a front porch

The cost of a front porch remodel can vary widely, depending on several factors, including the size of the porch, the extent of the renovation, the materials used, and the complexity of the design.

Basic remodel:

• Cost: $10,000 – $15,000
• What’s included: Typically involves simple upgrades like replacing railings, repainting, and possibly adding a few basic features.

Mid-range remodel:

• Cost: $15,000 – $30,000
• What’s included: More extensive renovations, such as adding a new porch floor, installing lighting fixtures, or incorporating a small seating area.

High-end remodel:

• Cost: $30,000+
• What’s included: Luxurious features like outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, and custom-designed structures.

Additional factors affecting cost:

• Permits and fees: Local regulations may require permits, which can add to the overall cost.
• Labor costs: Skilled labor, such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, can significantly impact the budget.
• Material costs: The choice of materials, such as high-quality wood, stone, or metal, can influence the final cost.
• Design complexity: Custom designs and intricate details can increase the overall cost.

It’s important to consult with a local contractor or architect to get an accurate estimate for your specific project. They can provide expert advice and help you create a budget that aligns with your goals and financial constraints.

A beautifully remodeled front porch can transform your home’s curb appeal and create a warm, inviting entrance. By investing in this outdoor space, you’re not just enhancing your property’s value; you’re also investing in your own well-being. So, let your imagination run wild and embark on a front porch renovation journey that will leave a lasting impression on you and your visitors.

Ready to get started?

Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream front porch a reality. Sweeten puts you in control of your renovation, from finding the perfect contractor and gathering design inspiration, to using cost guides  to plan your budget wisely.