URGENT screen cost estimate fair or robbery?

last year

Had a company come out to give an estimate to screen in our porch. See pics below. Existing roof. Measurements are 20ft at the south end and the side of porch 7ft. Height is 8ft. Was quoted $24,000 and about fell out!!! Having another guy from another place come out today to give an estimate. Was curious yalls thoughts? I cant imagine 24k would be reasonable for screening in that area. Thanks!!!

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

last year

Frequently when a bid comes in high it means the contractor doesn't want the job because they're busy and this is too small a job for them. Hopefully the next bid you get will be more reasonable. If it doesn't, since it's already August, revisit this next Spring? Early Spring so you get on someone's schedule before the weather warms up.

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Comments (14)

C GO
Original Author
last year
We live here in rural MS too if that matters
clt3
last year
last modified: last year
We spent $25, 000 on motorized phantom screens for a 20 X 30 covered porch. About 65 linear feet, so yes it seems excessive for 27 linear feet.
C GO thanked clt3
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nhb22
last year
Not surprising in todays market with the cost of wood and labor way up. However, it could also be a DYI project if your or a spouse are handy. Get another estimate or two and you will get a better idea of the cost.
millworkman
last year
How they are screening the porch and what dollars are for is key here,
C GO
Original Author
last year
@Johnson Brothers Contracting right! So we want just a mesh screening and standard framing with that. Nothing special. Possibly a mesh screen door on the side.
elcieg
last year
According to this chart, the quote you got was high end for a new build. You have the floor and the roof. I think it is way out of line.

https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/outdoor-living/screened-in-porch/#screened-in-porch-cost-factors-new-or-existing-structure
C GO
Original Author
last year
@kandrewspa wow good point. I didn’t even think of that. I appreciate it!
C GO
Original Author
last year
Well the second contractor just left - he has been in the business 40 years and he quoted $2,850 total. That sounds much more reasonable! Thanks everyone for the replies! I just had no clue even a ballpark area and was floored by the first quote. Thanks again!
arcy_gw
last year
Sounds like my daughter's roofing experience. She had two 20K estimates then one that came in under 5. The first two assumed it was an insurance payout so felt free to pad the estimate. That and they didn't want the job--too small.
nhb22
last year
That is a HUGE difference in cost. As I and others have mentioned, it depends on what you wanted. I am not sure what you meant by "standard framing", but our screened porch looks similar to the porch that clt3 showed (though smaller). It's similar to yours in length with twice the width (approximately 22' x 14'). No way it was it framed and screened in for $2,850. The columns were pricey, and the screening is an aluminum kit. Grab that price!!!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
I know of one builder that is usually about 20% higher on bids than other builders; the thing is is that he is about 80% better than the other builders. Quality many times comes with a price. Verify the drawings and the specifications the bids were based upon.
C GO
Original Author
last year
work done by the contractor that gave us the $2,850 quote and this is honestly what we were looking to get. Somthing this simple and i think it’s priced very reasonably.
nhb22
last year
last modified: last year
C GO - That's more like a tract system screening without the site built framing/wood/supports/dividers, correct? If so, then your 2nd quote sounds reasonable. I am wondering if the first quote was for something more like what clt3 and I have done.

URGENT screen cost estimate fair or robbery?

kandrewspa

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C GO
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clt3

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