With spring rapidly approaching, I have been turning my thoughts towards outdoor projects. I love getting outside and working during the spring and early summer. But, talk to me around August and I'm sure I would rather be inside! That being said, the Summers aren't too bad if you just have a shady spot.
Last year we were able to create two of these shady outdoor oases. I'm hoping to beat that this year! These projects let me get out and frame roofs and then enjoy the shade we created while we do our finish carpentry. It's enjoyable work and it's rewarding because clients love these outdoor areas so much. Today I want to get into the nitty gritty and talk about how much these projects cost and what factors influence the price.Â
The Cost: $10K
Like all construction projects, each patio roof/overhang is unique and comes with a unique price tag. However, I think it is safe to say that any covered patio is going to cost between $10,000 - $50,000+. I say $10,000 as the low number because in today's inflationary economy I think you will be hard pressed to build a covered patio only allowing $5,000 for material and $5,000 for labor. I think it is possible, but you will need to make design choices that limit labor and material choices that are economical. I will talk more about this in a moment.
I say $50,000+ as the top number because the sky truly is the limit on what these projects could cost. Do you want to add an outdoor fireplace? Built in ceiling fans and lights? An outdoor wet bar? Tying into a complex roof structure? Only solid cedar posts and beams? The list goes on.
Let's say your budget is closer to the $10,000 range.
First, has your patio been poured already? If it hasn't, this budget is going to be very tight. A new patio is likely going to cost between 3-10k depending on the size. If we allow 3k for the patio itself that leaves 7k for the covering. In this scenario we are going to have to make very economical choices with materials. All framing members will need to be pressure treated lumber and the roof will likely need to be metal. If it does tie into the existing roof it will likely need to be a single slope and make a very easy transition.Â
If you already have an existing patio, great! We have a more workable budget at $10,000. You will still need to make economical choices like treated lumber, metal roof, and an unfinished underside. However, you will likely be able to have a good sized overhang (say 15’ x 15’) in this scenario. This assumes the roof tie in is relatively straight forward or you are doing a stand alone roof.
$20-30K
In the 20-30k dollar range we start to have quite a bit more room to work. Again, if you don't have a patio poured already you will need to allow 3-10k for the patio depending on the size.Â
In this price range we can start looking at upgrading materials and other upgrades like outdoor fans and lighting. We could start looking at stained cedar for the posts and beams. At the high side of the budget we could look at a shingled roof and a finished underside.
This is where costs start to grow, in the finishing choices. This car siding ceiling ended up looking amazing but was extremely time consuming for our team to install averaging only around 150 sq ft per day. This is a major consideration when going for a shingled roof. The shingle nails are going to be exposed to your eye from the underside unless we finish it out. In this case we used car siding over our rafters.
Another more economical option would be to leave the rafters stained and exposed while running finished shiplap on top of them. We then cover the shiplap with roof decking which allows the shingles to be nailed on without any nails being exposed.Â
If you want to check out more photos of the car siding underside, check out Making a Patio Roof Look Like It's Always Been There.
$40-50K
If you are looking to spend 40-50k+, you are well on your way to a dream outdoor space. This budget will create a space that looks like it has always been there. Custom design and top notch materials. Finished underside. Cedar framing materials, posts, and beams. Electrical upgrades like ceilings, fans, lights, and outlets. A wet bar to complement your grilling station.The possibilities truly are endless.
Whether you are looking to spend 10k or 50k, I can say that any covered patio is a blessing. The ability to be outside and enjoy fresh air while protected from the sun and rain is a beautiful thing.
Are you dreaming of a covered patio this Spring and Summer season? Check out all of our outdoor projects here.
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