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 Swinton?
In Swinton, a porch typically costs £6,000–£15,000 from a 3 m² porch to a small front extension, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Building costs in the North West run about 6% below the UK average, and the figures for Swinton are adjusted to reflect that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| From a 3 m² porch to a small front extension | £6,000–£15,000 |
| Higher specification | £15,000–£19,000 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Size and roof style
- Front door specification
- Moving meters, drains or the doorbell and lighting
- 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 Swinton?
The approval route for Swinton 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.
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.
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:
- Electrics for lighting
- Plastering and decoration
- Design to match the house
- Front door and windows
- Foundations and brickwork
- Roof and guttering
How long does it take?
Expect 2 to 4 weeks on site. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 weeks, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Swinton
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
We work across Swinton and neighbouring areas such as Eccles, Walkden and Salford. Postcodes we cover in Swinton include M27.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about porches in Swinton
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.
Will it match my house?
We source matching bricks and tiles where possible, or suggest a deliberate contrast.
How much does a porch cost in Swinton?
In Swinton, a porch typically costs £6,000–£15,000 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.
Do you build porches in Swinton?
Yes. We build porches across Swinton, including postcodes M27. Every project starts with a free home visit.
