We can’t think of a better way to start your morning or end your night than relaxing on a beautiful screened-in porch. If you feel the same, you might be considering one of your own this year — and you might need to get started on it sooner than you think! 

Let’s dive deeper into screened-in porch remodels, and when the best time is to start them. 

What Is a Screened-In Porch?

A screened-in porch is a type of outdoor living space that is covered with window screens to protect from unwelcome elements like weather, bugs, and more. It’s a great exterior addition that can either be attached or unattached from your home. 

Screened-in porches are awesome little retreats, providing the following benefits (and more!): 

• A space to enjoy more fresh air and time outdoors, without the hassle of rain or bugs

• A space to entertain family and friends

• A space to relax and unplug from the constant flood of technology in your home’s other living areas

• A unique way to get more engaged with your neighborhood or nature

Interested in some screened-in porch inspiration? Check out these projects the Meadowlark Design+Build team has completed for clients like you:  

• Unattached Screened Porch

• The Versatile Screened-In Porch

• Nestled in the Trees

• High Above the Huron

• Modest, Modern, and Mood Changing

Building a Screened-In Porch: The Process and Timeline

Screened-in porches are similar to any other home addition — they take adequate planning and time in order to achieve great results. Here’s an outline of all key steps of building an addition, and specifically a screened-in porch, with rough estimates on how long each of them take: 

• Initial project consultation and agreement: 2-3 weeks

• Design: 5-8 weeks, depending on your designer’s availability and how fast you’re able to make project-related decisions

• Procure materials and obtain permits: 4-6 weeks, depending on the scope of your project and what types of materials are needed for it

• Construction: 4-8 weeks, depending on the scope of your project

All in all, you’re looking at a total timeline of 15-25 weeks, or 4-6 months, as long as everything goes according to plan. 

Want to ensure a streamlined building process? Consider working with a design-build firm. By hiring a design-build firm, you’ll be working with a team of design and construction experts who communicate and collaborate regularly to ensure your project is completed with quality results, on-time and within budget. 

When Should You Start Building Your Screened-In Porch?

With all that in mind, it’s best to get started on your screened-in porch early. Count back about 6 months from when you'd like to enjoy that porch, and you should have plenty of time. With ample planning, you’ll be able to get the most out of your beautiful finished product during the best months of the year. 

In Michigan, the weather starts to get nice in mid-to-late spring. So, start the initial steps like setting goals, determining a budget, and creating a design now, in the winter. Then, come early spring, the weather and conditions will be nice enough for construction to start — and you’ll likely have a finished project by mid-summer, or just in time for the fall colors! 

Looking to upgrade your outdoor living space? Contact Meadowlark Design + Build! Our team has years of experience completing beautiful screened-in porches and other exterior renovations. And with our proven design-build process, we can streamline the experience for quality results, on-time and on-budget.