Simple 8X8 teated lumber is always going to be much cheaper that formed PVC columns.

The difference is the difference in looking at a post and looking at something which is made to look like a historical and classical column.

What does your architect advise?

Or just wrap in four pieces siding 8" with 2x4 s on inside. BY the way you can find some decent wrap starting from $90 .

$300/post is pretty expensive, and 38' is a huge porch. Have you considered reducing the scope of the front porch? If you go smaller, you won't need as many posts.

The real issue is whether or not the house has an identifiable architectural style or not. If so, then an appropriate style column may be very important. If not, perhaps the cheapest construction method will do.

And without any elevations no one here will know, and all the responses will really be of little use.

I appreciate all of the feedback, you all are great! I attached a photo of the house and the column style I am favoring. We have cleared the old landscaping and the footers are set (not pictured.) My husband drew up the plans and will be constructing the porch himself. He is planning to install wood posts and just waiting on me to make up my mind as to what to do with them. The columns and trim work on the front of a home stand out the most to me so I think that's why I am having a difficult time making a decision. I will invest more if necessary however, the costs I am pulling up for wraps seem ridiculously overpriced. I am also considering PVC trim board and constructing my own.

These can easily be made from pressure treated 8X8s with applies trim pieces and painted. Don't forget to use metal post bases to keep the post and trim bottoms spaced above the porch surface. Good luck!

This is a darling house, but I agree that a good elevation drawing of what you're attempting would be helpful. How the porch roof comes off the house will be important to the finished look. As well as to whether or not you'll create a leak.

Your house is so beautifully simple, I think staying simple would be key. I'm not sure you even need the shaft extension pictured on your example, there.

Wraps or site-constructed PVC would both work (especially if you can do that cap yourself. It shouldn't be too difficult). Both are better than plain wood posts, both aesthetically and from a maintenance perpective

I have posts similar to these and have only painted them twice in 35 years!

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/columns-accessories/wood-columns/6-x-6-x-9-trimmable-primed-pine-turned-porch-post/1113259/p-1475244570026-c-5726.htm?tid=6672140708158366851&&ipos=6

And I think they would look better with your traditional house.

For a porch 38' wide, with columns space at 9.5', you only need 4 columns. Your plan, using 6 columns, spaces them at 6.33', which is much too close together.

See if you have a lumber mill around. I got 8x8x10 rough sawn hemlock posts for only $130 each from a local mill. And that included a fee to get them structually certified.

marjen, the posted pictures above are for her COMPLETED porch. Lumber mill suggestion is a bit late.

It looks fantastic! Love the yellow door!

It is absolutely adorable and charming now. Great job!

It looks great, thanks for posting the photos

That looks great! I especially like the steps on the end AND in the middle. Enjoy!

Wonderful, and your spacing perfect!!! Looks like there is more than 6.33' between post.

Could you tell us what materials you ended up using?

Love it! We are adding a porch and I would also love to get the materials, and how deep the porch is. Oh, and the roof pitch. You did such a great job.