what's the typical cost to build a covered patio? (Austin: house, tax) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

trayanh · 06-26-2010, 01:38 PM

I am looking at a covered patio about the size of 30x8 to shade both my family room and breakfast room. also looking at the cost of building some eaves to shade the master bedroom windows. the extended roof would keep my utility bills low.

FalconheadWest · 06-26-2010, 02:57 PM

I built one about 10X12 and it was just under $10k. But, we had a friend who was an architect so we were able to get drawings for only $300. Plus, we had a friend who was a civil engineer, so we were able to get our plans approved for free.

If you're looking at extending the actual roof line to make it look like it's part of the house, which I highly recommend, for the size you're talking about, you're going to be a minimum of $15k if mine was $10k after several estimates.

trayanh · 06-26-2010, 04:48 PM

really?! my quote from the builder is 12'5x12'5 for 7750, and it should be a very basic one, while you may put a lot there. I don't have architect friends

, and my civil engineer friends only work on computer models....that's too bad.

I do want to make it look like part of the house. the good thing for covered patio or extended roofline is, austin is kinda dry most of the time, and it would be nice to have some breeze there. it makes huge difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

I built one about 10X12 and it was just under $10k. But, we had a friend who was an architect so we were able to get drawings for only $300. Plus, we had a friend who was a civil engineer, so we were able to get our plans approved for free.

If you're looking at extending the actual roof line to make it look like it's part of the house, which I highly recommend, for the size you're talking about, you're going to be a minimum of $15k if mine was $10k after several estimates.

Roadking2003 · 06-26-2010, 04:56 PM

As in most building projects, there are huge variations in the materials you can use that will make the costs vary. For example, are you using 4 x 8 MDF for the ceiling? It's common and pretty cheap. Or you can use a stained pine siding material that looks much much nicer. Are your posts metal, cedar, stone or stucco ? Big price differences there.

FalconheadWest · 06-26-2010, 04:56 PM

During the building process is completely different. The builder might actually charge you a fee for their architects to redraw your house with the new feature. Most charge $1500-2500 to do a redraw of plans.

trayanh · 06-26-2010, 05:51 PM

Jesus, I don't know any of these.... can you give me a range? from the cheapest one to the average one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

As in most building projects, there are huge variations in the materials you can use that will make the costs vary. For example, are you using 4 x 8 MDF for the ceiling? It's common and pretty cheap. Or you can use a stained pine siding material that looks much much nicer. Are your posts metal, cedar, stone or stucco ? Big price differences there.

trayanh · 06-26-2010, 05:53 PM

I see. I already passed that stage, so I am looking at doing it after. Most likely I will go with an average looking one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

During the building process is completely different. The builder might actually charge you a fee for their architects to redraw your house with the new feature. Most charge $1500-2500 to do a redraw of plans.

riaelise · 06-26-2010, 06:18 PM

Another alternative is a deck and arbor combination. Austin Deck Company built us a 20 x 10 deck, pressure treated cedar for about 5K. It does have slats that allow sunlight in, but it definitely cut down on the sunlight compared to before. You can put a screen type material on the arbor top and that can give you very good shade, comparable to a covered patio.

Also realize that a covered patio, depending on where your house is facing, won't block the sun if the sun is at an angle. It can shine underneath the patio's roof, right into your house.

eileenkeeney · 06-26-2010, 10:16 PM

How does the cost of building a covered patio compare to turning part of the existing house into a patio (meaning using the existing roof, and existing foundation.)

Suppose the house has an extra eating area, in the SW corner of the house, maybe 12' x 12'.

Would doing this type of design be potentially harmful to the foundation (rain getting in if the rain angle is right)

Wondering why any one would do this to a house? The yard is already small. Patio coverings are supposed to match the roof. Decrease sq footage for tax reasons.
It is probably a better idea to put in lots of glass doors and large windows, so that they can be open to give an outside feeling, or closed to create a sort of winter sunroom. But if I do that I would then need an additional wall, to make it a complete separate room (for energy/temperature reasons).

eileenkeeney · 06-26-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riaelise

Another alternative is a deck and arbor combination. Austin Deck Company built us a 20 x 10 deck, pressure treated cedar for about 5K. It does have slats that allow sunlight in, but it definitely cut down on the sunlight compared to before. You can put a screen type material on the arbor top and that can give you very good shade, comparable to a covered patio.

Also realize that a covered patio, depending on where your house is facing, won't block the sun if the sun is at an angle. It can shine underneath the patio's roof, right into your house.

It would be easy to hang a shade thing on the W side.