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 Somerset?
In Somerset, a porch typically costs £6,750–£16,500 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices in the South West sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Somerset 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 | £6,750–£16,500 |
| Higher specification | £16,500–£20,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Whether building regulations apply
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- Front door specification
- Brick matching
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in Somerset?
Approvals for a porch in Somerset 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
Handled as part of most porches:
- Foundations and brickwork
- Roof and guttering
- Electrics for lighting
- Plastering and decoration
- Design to match the house
- Front door and windows
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 Somerset
The South West mixes stone and render cottages with post-war and newer estates, and local materials matter more here when matching an extension.
Towns we cover in Somerset include Mendip, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater.
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 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 sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about porches in Somerset
How much does a porch cost in Somerset?
In Somerset, a porch typically costs £6,750–£16,500 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.
Who approves a porch in Somerset?
Planning matters in Somerset go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Can I have a toilet in my porch?
A downstairs toilet usually needs a larger front extension, a drainage connection and building regulations approval.
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.