How Much Does A Verandah Cost? [2024]

Since colonial days, the verandah has been a standard feature in Australian homes.

It makes sense that architects added verandahs to early European style homes and created new styles of architecture suited to the balmy Australian climate. A verandah makes just as much sense today and is a great low-cost way to extend your outdoor living and entertaining space.

You may need to rework your existing space into a more usable area or start from scratch and design a verandah that is a seamless extension of your main home. But how much does a verandah cost?

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know, from what determines verandah costs, planning and budgeting, and who can make it all happen for you.

This article will help you work out:

• What is a verandah?
• How much does a verandah cost?
• Planning your verandah
• Inspiration for your verandah
• Hiring the right tradie
• Getting quotes for your verandah

What is a verandah?

The most basic online definition of a verandah describe it as, ‘a roofed platform along the outside of a house’, and appears to have derived from the Hindi ‘varaṇḍā’ or from the Portuguese ‘varanda’ which refers to a railing or balustrade. 

Today the term is easily confused, and used interchangeably with patio, which is a very similar structure that can include a paved or decked area that may have a roof. Verandah construction starts with the floor surface where paving or decking is often used. In terms of the roofing, this is typically polycarbonate roofing, which allows sunlight to filter through, or Colorbond which is more durable but more expensive.

How much does a verandah cost?

In terms of what factors will affect the cost of your job, these include design, materials, labour, and any council fees. Some common cost considerations to factor into your verandah budget include:

Decking

Expect to pay $200 to $1,000 per square metre for decking, depending on the materials chosen. Treated pine is a more budget option, while hardwoods/composites are more expensive.

Read more: Guide: How much does decking cost?

Outdoor paving

Expect to pay between $40 to $100 per square metre for outdoor paving depending on the materials chosen, with cement (budget), concrete (mid-range) and stone (expensive) being popular options.

Read more: Guide: How much does outdoor paving cost?, Paving cost calculator

Concrete floor surfaces

Expect to pay between $60 to $85 per square metre for plain concrete flooring.

Learn more: How much does concreting cost?, Concreting cost calculator

Pergola

For a pergola to shelter your verandah expect to pay between $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the size and materials chosen.

Learn more: How much does a pergola cost?

Colorbond roofing

For Colorbond roofing expect to pay around $6,680 for a flat freestanding Colorbond roof (9m x 4.5m).

Learn more: How much does Colorbond roofing cost?, Roofing cost calculator

Inspiration for your verandah

If you need some pointers to make your verandah or patio a practical space, make sure you work these into your planning phase.

Flow

The key to a successful verandah is for it to feel part of your home, so it should ‘flow’ and connect seamlessly with the aesthetic of the rest of your home. You can help achieve this by choosing colour schemes that fit and complement the interior of your home.  

Privacy

Factor privacy into your planning, so that your verandah is not visible to neighbours. You can achieve this by using screens or outdoor blinds.

Shelter

Installing roofing gives your verandah more versatility when the weather turns. There are a range of options, from the simple and cost effective – like a shade sail, to structural steel roofing or an adjustable louvre style roof allows you to maximise the comfort of your space.

Lifestyle accessories

You can elevate your new space even more by finishing off your verandah with furniture, an outdoor kitchen, and other essentials like lighting, heating and even music or a TV.

Planning your verandah

Take the time to plan the various elements of your verandah, specifically:

Layout

Identify the location of your verandah and sketch out the layout you want. This will give your landscape designer, drafter or verandah builder an idea what you want. They can then produce a more accurate quote.

Design

You need to decide if you want your verandah to be enclosed and/or sheltered by a roof, gazebo or awning. Also think if you want a freestanding roof or one attached and integrated into your home. The more complex the design the more you can expect to pay.

Materials

Our advice is to over-engineer all the structural elements of your verandah, like the material you choose for your roofing. That way it is likely to last. For example, a Colorbond roof is going to last a lot longer than polycarbonate but will cost more.

Tradies

When planning a verandah job, it’s important to consider who is going to build your verandah. Take the time to talk to a range of businesses before you decide to hire and make sure you get at least three quotes from qualified tradies.

Budget

Once you know the above it will give you a good idea how much is it all going to cost. And don’t forget to build a buffer into your budget for the unexpected.

Building regulations

Depending on where you live, there may be local council regulations governing your verandah job. In some areas building approval or planning permission is required for any structure attached to a house, so it’s important to make sure you’re aware of what applies where you live.

Planning permits are there to make sure your verandah doesn’t infringe on your neighbour’s property or view, while building permits are used to ensure that your verandah is structurally safe.  

Hiring the right tradie

When it comes time to hiring a business make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you licensed for my job?
• Do you hold valid insurance?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long will my job take?
• Do you have references I can follow up?
• Can I see some other verandah jobs you have worked on?

Getting quotes for your verandah

Before you assume your dream verandah is outside your budget, get at least three quotes from verandah builders to find out how much your job will cost you.