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 Solihull?
In Solihull, a porch typically costs £6,250–£15,500 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Building costs in the West Midlands are close to the UK average, so the figures for Solihull are close to our national guide. 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:
- Brick matching
- Size and roof style
- Whether building regulations apply
- Front door specification
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 Solihull?
The approval route for Solihull is set by planning law 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical porch we handle:
- Front door and windows
- Design to match the house
- Electrics for lighting
- Plastering and decoration
- Foundations and brickwork
- Roof and guttering
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 Solihull
Across the West Midlands, inter-war and post-war semis make up much of the housing, giving good scope for two-storey side extensions and hip-to-gable lofts.
Our Solihull coverage includes postcode districts B91, and we also work in nearby places such as Shirley, Birmingham and Kenilworth.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 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 handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about porches in Solihull
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.
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
Who approves a porch in Solihull?
Planning matters in Solihull go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
How much does a porch cost in Solihull?
In Solihull, 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.
Will it match my house?
We source matching bricks and tiles where possible, or suggest a deliberate contrast.
