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A sunroom may count toward your home's total square footage or living space if it meets certain conditions, which can vary by local regulations. Generally, for a sunroom to be included, it must be fully enclosed, properly insulated, and equipped with electrical access and a heating and cooling (HVAC) system, similar to a four-season room. It should also meet the same construction standards as the rest of the house. Three-season sunrooms that function more like enclosed porches typically do not count toward the total square footage and are considered exterior living space.

If you want to hire a professional to build a screened-in porch, a local sunroom or porch contractor is your best bet. If you can't find a local sunroom builder, another option is to consider hiring a general contractor to perform the work. 

If you're handy, you may consider building the porch yourself. Before you do so, make sure you understand the local permit requirements and building codes so that you don't have any problems with the safety or structure of the porch.

Creating a screen room is one of the most cost-effective ways to enclose a patio so you can still use it in the winter. Most screen rooms aren’t insulated, so you’ll need to wrap up warm or use patio heaters in winter. Also, be aware they might not hold up well if you live in a location where heavy snow is common.

A screened-in porch can add value to your home, but it won’t count toward the total square footage at an appraisal or when it comes time to sell. A screened-in porch is not fully enclosed, usable year-round, insulated, or heated or cooled, so it doesn’t meet the requirements of livable square footage in most locations.