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 Kempston?
In Kempston, a porch typically costs £7,000–£17,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). The guide for Kempston reflects typical costs in the East of England, roughly 6% above 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 | £7,000–£17,000 |
| Higher specification | £17,000–£21,000 |
What moves the price most:
- Brick matching
- Size and roof style
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- 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 Kempston?
The approval route for Kempston is set by planning law 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Plastering and decoration
- Front door and windows
- Foundations and brickwork
- Electrics for lighting
- Design to match the house
- Roof and guttering
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 2 to 4 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in Kempston
Many towns in the East of England have estates built since the 1970s, where garage conversions and rear extensions are popular.
From MK42 outwards, we take on projects throughout Kempston and the surrounding parts of Bedfordshire.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 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 Kempston
Do you build porches in Kempston?
Yes. We build porches across Kempston, including postcodes MK42. Every project starts with a free home visit.
Do I need planning permission for a porch?
In England a porch is permitted development if its ground floor area is no more than 3 square metres, no part is higher than 3 metres and it is at least 2 metres from any boundary next to a road. Larger porches need an application.
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.
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
How much does a porch cost in Kempston?
In Kempston, a porch typically costs £7,000–£17,000 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.
