How much does a screened porch cost in Columbia, SC?

A new screened porch in Columbia, SC starts around $90 per square foot. For a typical 150 to 300 square foot porch, that lands between about $13,500 for a smaller build and $27,000 for a larger one. It's a typical range, not a quote. Your exact price is set in writing before work begins.

What size screened porch do most Midlands homeowners build?

Most screened porches in Columbia and the Midlands fall between 150 and 300 square feet. A mid-size 225 square foot porch, landing around $20,250, comfortably fits a seating area and a small dining or grilling space without oversizing the build or the budget.

What makes one screened porch cost more than another?

Size is the biggest factor since pricing runs from about $90 per square foot. Beyond footprint, the roof structure, foundation and framing, screen system, ceiling and floor finishes, and electrical work all move the total within the typical $13,500 to $27,000 range.

Does Chonko Construction handle permits and the full build?

Yes. As a licensed South Carolina home builder (SC license #52210), we manage the entire project, permitting, framing, roof, screen system, finishes, and inspections, under one accountable builder. You get full scope, schedule, and price in writing, a final walkthrough, and a named workmanship warranty.

Screened Porch Cost in Columbia, SC (2026 Builder's Guide)

A new screened porch in Columbia, SC typically starts around $90 per square foot, so a typical Midlands porch of 150 to 300 square feet lands somewhere between about $13,500 for a smaller build and $27,000 for a larger one. That range is a typical band, not a quote. The exact number gets set in writing before any work starts. Where your project falls depends mostly on size, roof structure, screen system, and how finished you want the floor and ceiling.

We're a licensed South Carolina home builder (SC license #52210), and we build, install, and replace screened porches across Columbia and the Midlands. Below is how the pricing works and what shapes it.

What a screened porch costs by size

The figures below are typical ranges for a new screened porch build, not a quote. Pricing starts at roughly $90 per square foot and scales with the footprint and finish.

Porch size	Footprint	Typical total band
Small	~150 sq ft	around $13,500
Mid-size	~225 sq ft	about $20,250
Large	~300 sq ft	around $27,000

Most Midlands screened porches land in the $13,500 to $27,000 range. Your final figure is set in writing before work begins, no moving target.

Size, roof type, and ceiling finish set most of a porch number.

What moves a screened porch up or down the range

A few things move a screened porch up or down the range:

Square footage. Since pricing runs from about $90 per square foot, footprint is the single biggest lever. A 300 sq ft porch carries roughly twice the materials and labor of a 150 sq ft one.
Roof structure. Tying a new gabled or hip roof into your existing home costs more than a simpler shed-style roof, but it sheds water and matches the house better.
Foundation and framing. Whether you're building on an existing slab or pouring new footings and framing an elevated deck floor changes the labor and material count.
Screen system. Standard fiberglass screen panels sit at the low end; heavy-duty pet-resistant or motorized systems cost more.
Ceiling and floor finish. A finished tongue-and-groove ceiling, recessed lighting, ceiling fans, and a stained or tiled floor all add to a bare-bones build.
Electrical. Outlets, switches, fans, and a ceiling fan rough-in add permit and labor cost but make the space usable year-round.

How the new roof meets the old one is the detail that leaks if rushed.

Questions to ask before you sign a porch contract

A handful of questions will tell you more about a porch bid than the price does. Ask these, and listen for a specific answer rather than a reassuring one.

How does the new roof tie into the existing one? A good answer names the connection, a shed roof off the wall or a gable framed into the existing structure, and describes how the flashing is woven in rather than sealed over.
Which screen system, and how are the panels held? You want the product named, fiberglass, pet-resistant, or motorized, plus whether the screen is splined into a channel or set into removable frames you can pull and rescreen.
What is the floor, and where does the water go? A porch floor has to shed water away from the house. If the answer is only a material, ask about the slope.
Who pulls the permit, and what gets inspected? The builder should say plainly that they pull it, and name the inspections it triggers.
Is the ceiling finished and the fan circuit run? Both are common omissions. Get them written into the scope or expect them as additions later.

What the porch contract sets

Every Chonko Construction quote spells out the whole job before work starts:

Full scope in writing, framing, roof, screen system, floor, ceiling, and finish, line by line
A clear build schedule with start and finish dates
One fixed, written price, no surprise billing, no mystery change orders
One accountable builder managing every sub and inspection
Permitting and code compliance handled for you
A final walkthrough before you sign off
A named workmanship warranty in writing, standing behind the build

A flat ceiling costs less than a vault and screens the same.

Keeping a screened porch affordable

Lock the scope before you start. Decide on roof style, screen system, and finishes up front so they're priced in, not added later as change orders.
Match the size to how you'll use it. A well-designed 200 sq ft porch often beats an oversized one you furnish half of.
Pick durable mid-range materials. They hold up to Midlands humidity and pollen better than the cheapest options, saving replacement cost down the line.
Get the whole price in writing. A complete contract is the single best budget protection you have.

Want a real number for your porch? Call us for a free phone consultation. We'll talk through your space, your finishes, and a clear written scope, with no pressure.