We live here in rural MS too if that matters

We spent $25, 000 on motorized phantom screens for a 20 X 30 covered porch. About 65 linear feet, so yes it seems excessive for 27 linear feet.

Not surprising in todays market with the cost of wood and labor way up. However, it could also be a DYI project if your or a spouse are handy. Get another estimate or two and you will get a better idea of the cost.

How they are screening the porch and what dollars are for is key here,

@User right! So we want just a mesh screening and standard framing with that. Nothing special. Possibly a mesh screen door on the side.

According to this chart, the quote you got was high end for a new build. You have the floor and the roof. I think it is way out of line.

https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/outdoor-living/screened-in-porch/#screened-in-porch-cost-factors-new-or-existing-structure

@kandrewspa wow good point. I didn’t even think of that. I appreciate it!

Well the second contractor just left - he has been in the business 40 years and he quoted $2,850 total. That sounds much more reasonable! Thanks everyone for the replies! I just had no clue even a ballpark area and was floored by the first quote. Thanks again!

Sounds like my daughter's roofing experience. She had two 20K estimates then one that came in under 5. The first two assumed it was an insurance payout so felt free to pad the estimate. That and they didn't want the job--too small.

That is a HUGE difference in cost. As I and others have mentioned, it depends on what you wanted. I am not sure what you meant by "standard framing", but our screened porch looks similar to the porch that clt3 showed (though smaller). It's similar to yours in length with twice the width (approximately 22' x 14'). No way it was it framed and screened in for $2,850. The columns were pricey, and the screening is an aluminum kit. Grab that price!!!

I know of one builder that is usually about 20% higher on bids than other builders; the thing is is that he is about 80% better than the other builders. Quality many times comes with a price. Verify the drawings and the specifications the bids were based upon.

work done by the contractor that gave us the $2,850 quote and this is honestly what we were looking to get. Somthing this simple and i think it’s priced very reasonably.

C GO - That's more like a tract system screening without the site built framing/wood/supports/dividers, correct? If so, then your 2nd quote sounds reasonable. I am wondering if the first quote was for something more like what clt3 and I have done.