How to Estimate the Cost for Building a Porch

Video transcription

Hi, my name's Andrew Dryden, and I'm going to show you how to estimate the cost of building a porch. First, make a list of the different types and sizes of materials listed on the framing plan. Measure the length of materials using your architect scale at the proper scale factor. An architects scale is a three-sided ruler with different scale factors to read building plans. Add the lengths of material together. To find the total length or count of each material needed, you can keep track of this on the materials list sheet. Multiply the length by the width of the deck surface to find the total square footage to be covered with decking. Multiply the unit cost by the material lengths you calculated earlier. And finally, add the cost of materials together to find the total cost estimate of materials for your porch project. And that's how you estimate the cost of building a porch.