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 Norfolk?
In Norfolk, a porch typically costs £7,000–£17,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). That range is adjusted for the East of England, where domestic building work typically costs around 6% 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 | £7,000–£17,000 |
| Higher specification | £17,000–£21,000 |
What moves the price most:
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- Size and roof style
- Whether building regulations apply
- 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 Norfolk?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location 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.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
On a typical porch we handle:
- Roof and guttering
- Foundations and brickwork
- Design to match the house
- Electrics for lighting
- Plastering and decoration
- Front door and windows
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 Norfolk
Many towns in the East of England have estates built since the 1970s, where garage conversions and rear extensions are popular.
Towns we cover in Norfolk include Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Thetford, Bowthorpe and East Dereham.
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 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 Norfolk
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks on site.
How much does a porch cost in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, 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.
Do you build porches in Norfolk?
Yes. We build porches across Norfolk, including postcodes IP20, IP21, IP22, IP24 and IP25. 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.
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.
