Will I get my money back on a screened in porch?

Great question, and I appreciate you thinking about resale value before spending $70K. The honest answer: you probably won’t get dollar-for-dollar back on a screened porch. Nationally, enclosed porch additions typically recoup around 40-60% of cost at resale, so on a $70K investment you might see $28K-$42K reflected in your sale price. That said, here in Florida it’s a little different. Screened living space is practically expected by buyers, especially for keeping bugs out and extending usable outdoor time year-round. A well-done screened porch can absolutely make your home more attractive and sell faster, which has its own value. A few things to consider before pulling the trigger: Think about the tradeoff. You’re losing open deck space, which some buyers prefer. If your deck is the only outdoor living area, covering most of it could actually turn some buyers off. $70K is on the higher end. I’d get 2-3 more quotes and make sure that price includes quality materials, permits, and engineering (especially important for wind load requirements here in Florida). Sometimes you can get a great screened porch for $30-50K that checks the same boxes for buyers. Timeline matters. If you’re selling in 2-3 years, the math is tighter. If you’re staying 7-10 years, you’ll enjoy the lifestyle benefit and the ROI question matters less. My recommendation: If you love the idea and plan to enjoy it for several years, go for it, but get more bids first. If your main motivation is resale value, that $70K could be better spent on kitchen updates, a bathroom remodel, or landscaping that typically returns more at closing. Hope this helps!

A screened‑in porch is a great lifestyle upgrade, but from a resale standpoint, it’s not a high‑ROI project. Spending $70,000 on one is unlikely to come back dollar‑for‑dollar when you sell in a few years. The value depends heavily on your market, your climate, and how buyers in your area prioritize outdoor living. 1. National ROI data: screened porches rarely return 100% Outdoor living projects typically return 50–70% of their cost at resale. A $70,000 screened‑in porch might add $35,000–$50,000 in perceived value. Buyers love them, but they don’t value them at full construction cost. 2. The bigger question: does it improve your home’s overall appeal A screened‑in porch can absolutely help your home: - Stand out in listing photos - Feel more “finished” and lifestyle‑friendly - Compete better against similar homes - Attract buyers who prioritize outdoor space But it’s still considered an amenity, not a core value driver like kitchens, baths, roofs, or HVAC. 3. Taking over most of your deck changes the equation If the screened porch eliminates usable deck space, consider how buyers will react. Some buyers want: - Open deck space for grilling - Sun exposure - Flexibility for furniture - A mix of covered and uncovered areas If the porch dominates the entire deck, you may lose some of that versatility. 4. The real return is lifestyle, not financial A screened‑in porch gives you: - Bug‑free outdoor time - Shade - A second living area - A place to entertain - A space that feels like an extension of the home If you’ll use it constantly, the personal value may outweigh the financial ROI. But if you’re doing it primarily for resale, it’s not the strongest investment. 5. If you plan to sell in a few years, consider alternatives Before committing to a $70k project, compare it to: - A partial enclosure - A pergola - A covered deck - A smaller screened area - A refresh of the existing deck These often cost far less and still boost appeal. 6. The market matters In some regions, screened porches are expected and highly valued. In others, they’re a nice bonus but not a must‑have. If your neighborhood has them, you’ll get more value. If you’d be the only one, the ROI drops. Bottom line A screened‑in porch is a lifestyle upgrade, not a financial investment. You’ll likely get 50–70% of the cost back at resale, not the full $70k. If you’ll enjoy it every day, it may be worth it. If you’re doing it for resale, there are better ways to spend that money.

A screened‑in porch is a great lifestyle upgrade, but from a resale standpoint, it’s not a high‑ROI project. Spending $70,000 on one is unlikely to come back dollar‑for‑dollar when you sell in a few years. The value depends heavily on your market, your climate, and how buyers in your area prioritize outdoor living. 1. National ROI data: screened porches rarely return 100% Outdoor living projects typically return 50–70% of their cost at resale. A $70,000 screened‑in porch might add $35,000–$50,000 in perceived value. Buyers love them, but they don’t value them at full construction cost. 2. The bigger question: does it improve your home’s overall appeal A screened‑in porch can absolutely help your home: - Stand out in listing photos - Feel more “finished” and lifestyle‑friendly - Compete better against similar homes - Attract buyers who prioritize outdoor space But it’s still considered an amenity, not a core value driver like kitchens, baths, roofs, or HVAC. 3. Taking over most of your deck changes the equation If the screened porch eliminates usable deck space, consider how buyers will react. Some buyers want: - Open deck space for grilling - Sun exposure - Flexibility for furniture - A mix of covered and uncovered areas If the porch dominates the entire deck, you may lose some of that versatility. 4. The real return is lifestyle, not financial A screened‑in porch gives you: - Bug‑free outdoor time - Shade - A second living area - A place to entertain - A space that feels like an extension of the home If you’ll use it constantly, the personal value may outweigh the financial ROI. But if you’re doing it primarily for resale, it’s not the strongest investment. 5. If you plan to sell in a few years, consider alternatives Before committing to a $70k project, compare it to: - A partial enclosure - A pergola - A covered deck - A smaller screened area - A refresh of the existing deck These often cost far less and still boost appeal. 6. The market matters In some regions, screened porches are expected and highly valued. In others, they’re a nice bonus but not a must‑have. If your neighborhood has them, you’ll get more value. If you’d be the only one, the ROI drops. Bottom line A screened‑in porch is a lifestyle upgrade, not a financial investment. You’ll likely get 50–70% of the cost back at resale, not the full $70k. If you’ll enjoy it every day, it may be worth it. If you’re doing it for resale, there are better ways to spend that money.

Probably not in full. A screened-in porch can add appeal, but $70,000 is a major investment, and whether you get it back depends on your market, price range, and what buyers expect in your neighborhood. Typically the best investments are the things MOST buyers want - like a gorgeous kitchen, luxurious bathroom, etc. The biggest risk is overbuilding — putting more into the home than buyers in your area are likely to pay extra for. If similar homes nearby don’t typically have high-end outdoor spaces, you may enjoy it, but not fully recover the cost. Before spending that kind of money, I’d strongly recommend speaking with a local real estate professional and looking at comparable homes in your market to see whether screened porches are actually helping homes sell for more there (will it likely bring ROI). A good agent should be able to tell you whether this is a smart value-add for your neighborhood or more of a personal-use upgrade. ~Tricia Coury

A screen porch is more of a want than a need, It does make the property more attractive at the time you are selling. Regarding if you will get your $70K back in a few years...... you might not get it all back, or it might take more than 7 years depending on how the market is moving at the time you decide to sell. That works the same for people that build pools in their home, it does add some value but it takes time to get the money you invested back. Heidi Benitez.