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 Leicester?
In Leicester, a porch typically costs £6,250–£15,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Building costs in the East Midlands run about 5% below the UK average, and the figures for Leicester are adjusted to reflect that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| From a 3 m² porch to a small front extension | £6,250–£15,000 |
| Higher specification | £15,000–£19,000 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Size and roof style
- Brick matching
- Front door specification
- Whether building regulations apply
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 Leicester?
Approvals for a porch in Leicester 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:
- Front door and windows
- Plastering and decoration
- Electrics for lighting
- Roof and guttering
- Design to match the house
- Foundations and brickwork
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 2 to 4 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in Leicester
The East Midlands has a mix of red-brick terraces, inter-war semis and newer estates, so rear extensions and garage conversions are common projects.
We work across Leicester and neighbouring areas such as Oadby, Wigston Magna and Earl Shilton. Postcodes we cover in Leicester include LE1 and LE19.
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
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about porches in Leicester
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.
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.
How long does a porch take in Leicester?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
How much does a porch cost in Leicester?
In Leicester, a porch typically costs £6,250–£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.
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.