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 Finchley?
In Finchley, a porch typically costs £8,500–£21,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). That range is adjusted for London, where domestic building work typically costs around 30% above 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 | £8,500–£21,000 |
| Higher specification | £21,000–£26,000 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Size and roof style
- Whether building regulations apply
- Brick matching
- Front door specification
Use the guide price tool to see how size and specification change the figure, then ask for a written, itemised quote.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in Finchley?
Before anything is built in Finchley, we confirm which approvals apply in 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.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
Handled as part of most porches:
- Roof and guttering
- Foundations and brickwork
- Design to match the house
- Front door and windows
- Plastering and decoration
- Electrics for lighting
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 2 to 4 weeks on site. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Finchley
Many London boroughs have conservation areas and detailed design guides, so early design advice saves time at the planning stage.
Our Finchley coverage includes postcode districts N3, and we also work in nearby places such as Hendon, Golders Green and Muswell Hill.
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
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 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 Finchley
How much does a porch cost in Finchley?
In Finchley, a porch typically costs £8,500–£21,000 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.
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.
Who approves a porch in Finchley?
Planning matters in Finchley go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Does a porch need building regulations?
In England and Wales a ground-level porch under 30 square metres is usually exempt if the front door stays in place and the glazing meets safety standards. In Scotland the exemption is much smaller (around 8 square metres, with no new opening into the house). If the front door is removed, approval is needed. We check this for your design.