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 County Antrim?
In County Antrim, a porch typically costs £5,500–£14,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). That range is adjusted for Northern Ireland, where domestic building work typically costs around 14% below the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| From a 3 m² porch to a small front extension | £5,500–£14,000 |
| Higher specification | £14,000–£17,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Size and roof style
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- Whether building regulations apply
- Brick matching
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in County Antrim?
Approvals for a porch in County Antrim follow the rules for Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland a porch is permitted development if its ground area is no more than 3 square metres, it is no higher than 3 metres (3.5 metres with a pitched roof) and it is at least 2 metres from a boundary with a road.
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls relies on agreement with the neighbour and common law, so we agree the arrangements in writing before work starts.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
The work we manage on a porch:
- Front door and windows
- Design to match the house
- Plastering and decoration
- Foundations and brickwork
- Roof and guttering
- Electrics for lighting
How long does it take?
Expect 2 to 4 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in County Antrim
Across Northern Ireland, bungalows and chalet bungalows are common, so loft conversions and rear extensions are popular projects.
Towns we cover in County Antrim include Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Ballymena and Antrim.
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
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 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 County Antrim
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
Do you build porches in County Antrim?
Yes. We build porches across County Antrim, including postcodes BT1, BT10, BT11, BT12 and BT13. Every project starts with a free home visit.
How much does a porch cost in County Antrim?
In County Antrim, a porch typically costs £5,500–£14,000 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.
Do I need planning permission for a porch in County Antrim?
In Northern Ireland a porch is permitted development if its ground area is no more than 3 square metres, it is no higher than 3 metres (3.5 metres with a pitched roof) and it is at least 2 metres from a boundary with a road.
Will it match my house?
We source matching bricks and tiles where possible, or suggest a deliberate contrast.
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks on site.
