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 the Scottish Borders?
In the Scottish Borders, a porch typically costs £6,250–£15,500 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices in Scotland sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for the Scottish Borders reflects 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–£15,500 |
| Higher specification | £15,500–£19,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Size and roof style
- Whether building regulations apply
- Brick matching
- Front door specification
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 the Scottish Borders?
Before anything is built in the Scottish Borders, we confirm which approvals apply in Scotland. In Scotland a porch is permitted development if its footprint is no more than 3 square metres, it is no more than 3 metres high and more than 2 metres from a boundary with a road, outside conservation areas. A building warrant may be needed depending on the design.
In Scotland a building warrant is needed before work starts on most extensions, loft conversions and conversions. It is issued by the council’s building standards service. When the work is finished, a completion certificate is submitted and accepted by the council after inspection.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Plastering and decoration
- Foundations and brickwork
- Front door and windows
- Design to match the house
- Electrics for lighting
- 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 the Scottish Borders
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Towns we cover in the Scottish Borders include Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso and Selkirk.
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
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about porches in the Scottish Borders
How much does a porch cost in the Scottish Borders?
In the Scottish Borders, a porch typically costs £6,250–£15,500 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.
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
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 the Scottish Borders?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
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 the Scottish Borders?
In Scotland a porch is permitted development if its footprint is no more than 3 square metres, it is no more than 3 metres high and more than 2 metres from a boundary with a road, outside conservation areas. A building warrant may be needed depending on the design.
