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 Lancashire?
In Lancashire, a porch typically costs £6,000–£15,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices across the North West are typically 6% below the UK average for this kind of work, which is reflected in the range for Lancashire. 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 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- Front door specification
- 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 Lancashire?
Before anything is built in Lancashire, 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
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Plastering and decoration
- Design to match the house
- Front door and windows
- Roof and guttering
- Electrics for lighting
- Foundations and brickwork
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 Lancashire
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
Towns we cover in Lancashire include Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, Blackpool, Fylde and Rossendale.
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 fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 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 Lancashire
How much does a porch cost in Lancashire?
In Lancashire, 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.
Will it match my house?
We source matching bricks and tiles where possible, or suggest a deliberate contrast.
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.
How long does a porch take in Lancashire?
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.
