Replacing porch columns averages $400, but it ranges from $300 to $2,500. The cost depends on the materials used and whether the column is ornamental or load-bearing.
You can expect to pay around $400 for the average cost to replace porch columns, but most homeowners pay between $100 and $5,000. If you're sitting in your rocker on your front porch at the end of the day, the last thing you want to see is your porch columns crumbling.
Damaged or aging porch columns are not just unsightly. They can be a safety hazard if the column is load-bearing, but this is a fixable problem. The following guide covers all of the cost factors you’ll want to include in your budget.
Replacing old or damaged porch columns or just upgrading the porch depends on a few factors, including the type of column (load-bearing or non-load-bearing), materials, tools, labor, permits, and whether your house has structural damage.
On your porch, you either have load-bearing or decorative columns. Decorative columns don't serve a particular structural purpose, while load-bearing columns help hold up part of your home or the porch's roof. Replacing a decorative column costs more than replacing a load-bearing column.
| Type of Porch Column | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Load-bearing | $300–$500 |
| Decorative | $400–$2,500 |
Load-bearing columns cost between $300 and $500 to replace. This includes the cost to remove the old post and install a temporary support while your local porch builder determines whether there's any repair work that they need to do. If there's structural damage that your pro discovers, the repairs could cause your costs to increase significantly. Load-bearing columns support either part of your home's second floor or the roof of your porch, so they must be done well and be structurally sound.
Decorative columns cost between $400 and $600 to replace. Depending on your materials, how ornate your design is, and other factors, decorative columns can run up to $2,500. Wood and aluminum columns are the most cost-friendly, whereas stone costs more, especially if the design is intricate.
The materials for a porch column replacement can run from around $300 to upward of $1,000. This cost includes the porch column, which can be wood, fiberglass, PVC, aluminum, or stone, and materials like fasteners, connectors, and any surface preparation and finishing materials. The majority of the cost of materials is for the column itself.
Once you decide who to hire for your porch column replacement, labor costs run between $200 and $400. The labor costs include:
Locating and aligning the top and bottom blocks
Securing blocks to framing
Securing the column
Planning
Area protection
Setup and cleanup
However, if your home is damaged and a professional needs to repair it, labor costs could be anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500.
Permitting to install a porch column ranges from $100 to $200. Permits are only required if you're replacing a load-bearing column. Your pro should be able to tell you whether permits are necessary and take care of securing them if you need them for your project.
Unless you have construction expertise, removing and installing a porch column is best left to a professional. This is especially true for load-bearing columns, as you're dealing with the structural integrity of your home. For your safety and your family's safety, hire a general contractor, carpenter in your area, or porch professional to do the job.
Your contractor can help you determine whether you should replace or repair your porch columns. Repairing a porch column is less expensive than replacing one. If there are minor issues with the porch column, your contractor may recommend a repair, but they’ll make the decision based on the column’s soundness and your safety. You’ll have to replace a column if it’s mostly rotted or severely damaged.
While there's little wiggle room as far as labor and some materials go, most of your costs will be for the column itself. You can save money by choosing less expensive materials, like aluminum or plastic. Or if you're married to wood columns, you can get unfinished wood columns from a local hardware store and stain and finish them yourself.
Installing an ornamental or decorative porch column takes around three to five hours. Structural columns take longer because your pro has to install a jack to hold up the roof while switching the column out. If there's any structural damage, it can add several days to the timeline to repair the damage.
Professionals charge between $60 and $95 per hour to install ornamental porch columns. The amount of time they need varies based on the condition of the porch, whether they need to remove old columns, and if there is any damage to your porch's structure. This cost can increase if more issues come up during the installation process.
If your contractor isn't sourcing your new porch columns for you, you can find them at your local home improvement store or hardware store. You can also order them online for delivery. If you want a unique look or want to save some money, you can also source porch columns from auctions and restore them before having them installed.
