Many homes have porches already, and for good reason. A porch segregates outdoor and indoor space, adding a useful area for storing shoes, clothing, and outdoor equipment.
Porches can be added to the external door of many homes. They’re small and relatively inexpensive to build but add considerable practical use and value to any home.
While a porch can’t possibly add as much value as larger extensions, they’ll still provide a handsome return on the investment and will boost a home’s curb appeal. They even provide additional security benefits.
While you can build a porch extension as a standalone project, they’re often added as part of other extensions.
This article will cover the cost of building a porch in the UK, factors that affect the cost and other common questions surrounding building porches.
What is a Porch?
It seems like a simple question, but porches have a specific definition in UK planning law.
Porches are defined as enclosed spaces built on the property’s external door.
For most properties, the external door faces outwards towards the drive and/or highway, but otherwise, it might face sideways towards a side return or corridor.
Why Build a Porch Extension?
Porch extensions are similar in principle to any extension, but they don’t add living space to the home. The porch, unsurprisingly, isn’t a ‘habitable space.’ Instead, it’s more of an outbuilding.
Porches fall under their own category in Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) and are neither an extension nor an outbuilding. They’re simple structures that provide cover from the outdoors for storage and security purposes.
The main benefits of adding a porch extension to a home are:
Storage
Storage is exceptionally important for any home. Homes with greater storage capacity are typically worth more, and so a porch rates as a useful extra space for storing various indoor and outdoor items.
Porches are great for storing shoes, coats, and outdoor equipment. Perfect for stopping muddy shoes, boots and dogs (and children!) from coming into the house before they’re clean enough!
Security
Porches add an extra layer of security to any home. They add an extra door and, therefore, an extra lock, which makes it much harder to enter the house.
Porches even add a bit of extra insulation to the front of the home. This extra insulation is especially useful if your front door is close to your living room and you get a draft coming through.
Divides the Outside From the Inside
Porches divide the outside from the inside, which is handy in the winter as you can step into the porch before heading outside. Segregating the interior from the exterior also adds privacy which is especially handy if the external door opens from a living room.
Permitted Development and Planning Permission For Porch Extensions
Porch extensions are generally considered Permitted Development, meaning Planning Permission isn’t required.
The following rules apply:
- The ground floor area cannot exceed 3m². This is measured externally.
- The porch must remain 3m or less above ground level, including the pitched roof if it has one.
- The porch cannot extend closer than 2m to a boundary or highway. This applies both in front and to the side of the house.
3m² is not particularly large, but a 1.5 x 1.5m square porch or 1 x 2m rectangular porch both fall under PDRs and are usually an appropriate size.
Planning Permission will be required for larger porches, which is around £150 to £200 in England and Wales. It’s pretty likely the application will go through easily if the house has sufficient space at the front.
Porches are generally exempt from Building Regulation approval too, but any electrics or glazing will need to comply with the rules.
Types of Porch Extensions
There are a few different types of porch extensions ranging from simple uPVC extensions to attractive timber frame builds to more substantial brick constructions.
uPVC Porches
uPVC porches are a cheap and easy way to build an enclosed porch at relatively low cost compared to brick or timber-frame porches.
While uPVC commonly comes in white, you can get different colours these days, making this porch style more appealing. uPVC roofs typically have hip, gable, flat or lean-to roofs.
The cost of supplying a uPVC porch is only around £1,250 or so. To supply the porch and install it professionally, you’re probably looking at a minimum of £3,000 for a 3m² porch.
Timber Frame Porches
Timber frame porches are typically open with a stylish slate or tiled roof and brick sides. They’re not completely enclosed and don’t have a door.
As such, the cost is lower than a full brick porch. They still protect from the elements and add to a home’s curb appeal. Timber frame porches typically have hip or gable roofs.
A timber frame open porch will likely cost around £4,500 to £6,000 for a 3m² porch.
Brick Porches
The most comprehensive type of porch is an enclosed brick porch – which is essentially a mini extension. Enclosed brick porches typically have flat, lean-to, hip or gable roofs.
The cost of an enclosed brick porch is within the region of £1,500 to £3,500 per square metre. £3,500/m² only applies to high-end designs or expensive areas like London and the South East.
That translates to a cost of around £4,500 to £9,000 for a 3m² brick porch. That might seem a lot, but that includes windows and doors.
You can also build an open brick porch with a roof with open sides, or short walls around stomach height. These cost less, around £1,500 to £3,000 per square metre.
Aluminium Porches
Aluminium porches are a higher-end alternative to uPVC. They don’t require brickwork, which lowers costs, but they look modern and stylish. They’re also very durable and long-lasting.
These modern porches suit modern homes, boosting curb appeal while adding an enclosed porch space to the home.
Aluminium porches typically cost around £4,000 to £5,500 for a 3m² porch.
Average Cost of Building a Porch in the UK
By collecting quotes from 7 porch installers and 6 secondary sources, we found the following average costs of building a porch in the UK. uPVC porches are by far the cheapest options, whereas brick and timber frame options are more expensive.
It’s worth mentioning that extra costs are higher for enclosed brick constructions. For example, running mains wired lighting into a porch will cost extra, and building a high-quality tiled roof to match the home will boost costs.
It’s not unfeasible to think a porch extension could cost upwards of £15,000 for a substantial high-end brick or wood design.
Cost Per m²
Type of Porch Cost Per m²
uPVC Porch £1,000 - £1,500
Timber Frame Porch £1,500 - £3,000
Brick Porch (Enclosed) £1,500 - £3,500
Brick Porch (Open) £1,500 - £3,000
Aluminium Porch £1,500 - £1,750
Total Cost
| Type of Porch | Total Cost for 3m² Porch | Total Cost for 6m² Porch |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC Porch | £3,000 to £4,500 | £5,500 to £8,500 |
| Timber Frame Porch | £4,500 to £9,000 | £8,500 to £17,000 |
| Brick Porch (Enclosed) | £4,500 to £10,500 | £8,500 to £20,000 |
| Brick Porch (Open) | £4,500 to £9,000 | £8,500 to £17,000 |
| Aluminium Porch | £4,500 to £5,750 | £9,000 to £11,000 |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Porch Extensions
Porch extensions vary from smaller enclosed uPVC porches to larger open timber-frame or brick porches and enclosed brick constructions.
Here are some of the factors affecting the cost of porch extensions:
Porch Type
The type of porch is the biggest cost factor. A simple uPVC construction can cost as little as £3,000, whereas a fully enclosed brick porch can cost upwards of £15,000.
Enclosed porches cost more as they need windows and possibly insulation for a brick construction.
Roof
The roof style and material greatly impact the cost of a porch extension. Lean-to or flat roofs are cheaper than hip or gable roofs.
Roofing felt, or uPVC roofs, are cheaper than tiled roofs. Tiled roofs are a high-end option that boosts the aesthetic appeal of the porch and may cost £500 or so more.
Windows
The quality of the window affects the cost of any porch. High-quality double or triple-glazed windows can cost around £400 for a medium-sized window.
Doors
Enclosed porches require new doors that can cost up to £500 for a secure, well-insulated door.
Security Features
Security features like security lights, smart doorbells, smart locks, CCTV and alarms are added extras worth adding to the budget.
Get Prices on Porches Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a porch.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.
We work with all the best surveyors ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.
- Compare Multiple Quotes & Save Up to 40%
- Certified & Vetted Builders
- Free & No Obligation
- Local Porch Experts Near You
To Sum Up
Porches are an excellent addition to any home. Not only do they boost kerb appeal and value, but they also add an extra storage space and layer of security.
Porches come in different shapes and formats, ranging from cheaper uPVC options to more expensive enclosed brick porches. On the lower end of the spectrum, a cheap porch can be supplied and built for around £3,000.
Substantial porches are more likely to cost more than £5,000, ranging up to £10,000 or even £15,000 and above for attractive enclosed or timber-frame porches.