What is a porch?

A porch is a small extension built around the front door, giving a lobby for coats and shoes and stopping draughts reaching the hall. Most are brick with a pitched tiled roof to match the house, though glazed and timber porches are also common.
How much does a porch cost in Chorley?
In Chorley, a porch typically costs £6,000–£15,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). The guide for Chorley reflects typical costs in the North West, roughly 6% below the UK-wide figure. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| From a 3 m² porch to a small front extension | £6,000–£15,000 |
| Higher specification | £15,000–£19,000 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Size and roof style
- Whether building regulations apply
- Front door specification
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in Chorley?
Approvals for a porch in Chorley follow the rules for England. In England a porch is permitted development if its ground floor area is no more than 3 square metres, no part is over 3 metres high and it is at least 2 metres from a boundary next to a road.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
On a typical porch we handle:
- Foundations and brickwork
- Roof and guttering
- Electrics for lighting
- Plastering and decoration
- Front door and windows
- Design to match the house
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 2 to 4 weeks on site. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 weeks, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Chorley
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
Our Chorley coverage includes postcode districts PR7, and we also work in nearby places such as Horwich, Leyland and Darwen.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about porches in Chorley
Can you move the gas or electric meter?
Meters belong to the supplier or network operator. We coordinate their move as part of the job, which can add time.
Will it match my house?
We source matching bricks and tiles where possible, or suggest a deliberate contrast.
How much does a porch cost in Chorley?
In Chorley, a porch typically costs £6,000–£15,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
How long does a porch take in Chorley?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
