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 Mill Hill?
In Mill Hill, a porch typically costs £8,500–£21,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for London, where labour and materials are typically about 30% above 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:
- Whether building regulations apply
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- Brick matching
- Size and roof style
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in Mill Hill?
Before anything is built in Mill Hill, 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.
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:
- Plastering and decoration
- Foundations and brickwork
- Electrics for lighting
- Front door and windows
- Design to match the house
- Roof and guttering
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 Mill Hill
Victorian and Edwardian terraces dominate many London streets, which is why side return, wraparound and mansard projects are so common here.
Mill Hill sits in Greater London, about 9 miles north-west of central London. We cover the whole of Mill Hill, including postcodes NW7.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 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
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about porches in Mill Hill
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 much does a porch cost in Mill Hill?
In Mill Hill, 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.
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.
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks on site.
Do you build porches in Mill Hill?
Yes. We build porches across Mill Hill, including postcodes NW7. Every project starts with a free home visit.
