Porch building: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering porch building

Porches are visible from the street, and customers judge the build on how well the roof ties in and whether the floor drains after the first heavy rain. Win the job by showing your tie-in and drainage details and matching the house style closely.

What customers ask

  • Will the porch roof leak into my house?
  • Can you match the style and the trim of my existing house?
  • How do you keep the floor from rotting?
  • Do I need a permit, and how long will the inspections take?
  • Can you add steps or a wider landing later?
  • What wood or material will last longest in this climate?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the porch is for, how the house looks now and whether a roof or only a floor is planned.
  • On site, check the grade, the foundation, the roof and the wall where the porch will tie in, and photograph the existing trim.
  • Show a drawing of the roof tie-in with the flashing detail, so the customer sees how water is kept out of the house.
  • In the quote, list the footings, the framing, the roof, the flashing, the boards, the railings and the steps as separate lines.
  • Explain the floor slope and the drainage at the steps in plain words, and mark the water path on a sketch.
  • Put the permit and inspection stages in writing, with the date each one is expected.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of the roof tie-in and the flashing before the roofing goes on, shot from the ground and the roof
  • Finished porch photos from the street, showing the style and the trim match
  • Porch types you build, such as covered, open, screened and wrap-around porches
  • Your service area and whether you also do deck, roof and trim work

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly check of the roof flashing and the floor boards, explained as protection for the porch
  • Suggest a paint or stain schedule that suits the wood and the climate
  • Mention a railing, column or step upgrade as information when the customer is considering a refresh

Licenses and permits

Porch building is commonly done under a contractor license in many areas, and porches with roofs or house attachments often need a permit. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current, including for roof and height work.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants a porch roof tied in without a proper flashing detail?

Decline to skip the flashing, since water getting in at the wall is a common cause of porch failures. Explain the detail in writing and show the customer how it will be built.

Should I warranty the porch roof against leaks?

Warranty your flashing and roofing workmanship, and state clearly that leaks from the house wall, the gutters or other trades are outside the warranty. Put the terms in writing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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