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myHow Much Does a Porch Cost?
At a Glance
- The average cost of building a porch that's 3m² is £4,500.
- It typically takes 2 weeks to build a new porch.
- A breakdown of how much it costs to build a porch that's made of different materials, as well as additional porch extension costs to consider (e.g. new front door cost).
- How long adding a porch extension takes, as well as what the project involves.
- When planning permission is required from your local authority.
- How to find a tradesperson to build a porch using MyJobQuote.
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Looking to find out how much it will cost to build a porch?
You should expect the average 3m² porch cost that you're quoted by experienced tradespeople to be around £4,500.
But the exact cost of building a porch will depend on a few things.
Want a clearer idea of how much it'll cost?
Use MyJobQuote to get personalised quotes from porch builders near you. It's fast, free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
If you want to learn a bit more first, this guide breaks down the porch extension cost for different types - we cover rear porch prices, the cost of a wooden porch, how much a uPVC porch costs, and more!
This makes it as straightforward as possible for you to calculate the cost of a porch in your specific circumstances (and with your particular preferences). This can be invaluable to have before you get quotes from porch specialists.
Let's dive in below!
£4,500
Table of Contents
- What's the Cost to Build a Porch?
- Porch Builders Cost & Timescales
- Cost of Porch Extension Materials
- What Impacts How Much a Porch Costs?
- Types of Porch
- Will I Need Planning Permission to Build a New Porch?
- What Type of Roof Can I Have on My Porch?
- Why Should I Build a Porch?
- What's Involved in Building a New Porch?
- Checklist: Hiring a Porch Builder in the UK
- FAQs
What's the Cost to Build a Porch?
What should you expect a porch extension cost to be per square metre?
The average cost of a porch per square metre is between approximately £1,400 to £1,700. This is the total cost of building a porch per square metre, and is estimated using average materials and standard labour costs.
While you can have a porch installed that's only 1 square metre (1m²), it would likely be quite restrictive and not offer much practical benefit.
Porch installations are typically between two square metres (2m²) and three square metres (3m²) in the UK. You can build a porch structure which is larger than this, but that would require you to get planning permission from your local authority.
Given this, how much does a porch cost to build that's around 3 metres squared (3m²)?
The average cost of a porch that’s 3 metres squared (3m²) will run between £4,000 and £5,000. As above, this includes material and labour costs.
What is an average price to attach a brick porch to a bungalow? The porch would need to enter into the roof line.
"You're looking around the £2,200 per meter square. That's going off the run-of-the-mill extension m² price, although more complex builds may be higher."
Aluminium vs Brick vs uPVC Porch Cost
But how much does a porch cost if it's made of different materials?
The illustration below highlights the porch extension cost variations for a two-metre squared (2m²) porch built with uPVC, bricks, or aluminium.
This shows that a uPVC porch costs the least to build, between £1,900 and £2,700, an aluminium porch costs the most, between £2,700 and £3,800, and a brick porch is somewhere in the middle, between £2,200 and £3,500.
uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) porches are the most popular choice due to their affordability, followed closely by brick porches which, while a bit more costly, might more closely match the style of the house they're being attached to.
Aluminium and timber porches are more premium choices to consider, especially if you're looking for a more distinctive style.
We cover the pros and cons of each porch extension style that's available later in this guide.
Average Porch Extension Prices
You’ll want to build something that looks natural and blends in with the design of your home. The specialist that you hire will be able to go through all of the design elements with you and will help you come up with the ideal design to suit your home.
The table below lists average porch prices that you should expect to be quoted for building a new porch on your existing property.
| Porch Type | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lean-to uPVC porch | £1,900 – £2,700 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Flat gable roof porch | £3,000 – £4,000 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Gable uPVC roof porch | £1,900 – £2,700 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Edwardian uPVC porch | £2,500 – £3,500 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Brick porch | £2,200 – £3,500 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Aluminium porch | £2,700 – £3,800 | 3 – 5 days |
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The table below pulls apart the different costs involved in building a porch, giving you an idea of what you should expect to pay for each component of the project.
| Job Element | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Foundations, concrete flooring & brickwork | £800 – £1,200 |
| 1 Door and 1 - 2 windows | £1,200 – £1,500 |
| Plastering, sills & skirting boards | £300 – £500 |
| Electrician, materials & 2 hours of labour | £100 – £200 |
| Timber roof, tiles & guttering | £1,000 – £1,500 |
| Waste disposal | £50 – £100 |
Want a custom price?
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My house has a small porch, and the wall beside the door seems to be made of plywood and glass. I'd like to have it changed. Do I need a builder or a carpenter to do the job, and do I need planning permission?
"It's a builder you need. And no, you will not require planning unless you're making it larger."
Additional Porch Costs
There are various additional costs of building a porch that you may need to consider when planning everything out.
The illustration below highlights some of these. For instance, installing electrical outlets and porch lights cost anywhere between £100 to £800 depending on the size of the new porch extension. And while we've incorporated the cost of a front door in our average costs above, you could pay up to £800 for a stylish and high-quality new front door.
Porch Builders Cost & Timescales
Building a new porch is a time-consuming project, so you’ll want to hire a professional tradesperson or company to carry out the job for you and factor in significant labour costs for the project.
A professional tradesmen can discuss every aspect of the porch build - including the design options, prices involved, and the timescales that you should expect the job to take.
Porch builder costs will vary based on the job at hand. However, the table below highlights the typical rates that you should expect to pay when hiring different types of tradespeople for a porch extension job.
| Trade | Hourly Rate (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Bricklayer | £22 – £28 |
| Bricklayer’s assistant | £12 – £15 |
| Electrician | £23 – £30 |
| Electrician’s assistant | £14 – £19 |
| Groundworker | £19 – £23 |
| Groundworker’s assistant | £14 – £19 |
| Plasterer | £21 – £26 |
| Joiner | £20 – £25 |
| Joiner’s assistant | £12 – £16 |
| Roof tiler | £19 – £25 |
| Roof tiler’s assistant | £12 – £17 |
Want a custom price?
Post your job
This is just a general guide of the labour costs involved. The types of tradespeople you'll require when building a porch depend on the specifications for the project.
Porch Cost Calculator
Cost of Porch Extension Materials
How much does a porch cost if you do everything yourself?
Although it isn’t recommended, you might be interested in taking on a project like this yourself.
If that's the case, you might be wondering what the supply costs are to get everything you need to build a new porch on your existing property.
Let's dive into the list of different supplies that you may need when building a porch yourself (and the prices of each item).
Timber Porch Cost
Timber frames for a porch can range anywhere between £750 and £2,800 depending on the design and size that you are looking for.
A small basic timber frame for a porch will set you back around £750 to £1,000, whereas a large solid oak porch frame costs between £2,300 and £2,800.
Brick Prices
You will need to calculate how many bricks you need to build the structure of a porch extension.
One brick costs between £0.40 and £1.00, and you will likely need between 60 and 70 bricks per square metre of porch wall. This assumes you're using standard-sized UK bricks, so you'll need to confirm your requirements when selecting the specific types of bricks you want for your porch build.
Roof Tile Prices
If you are building a porch that requires roof tiles, you will be looking at the cost of between £0.80 and £1.80 per roof tile.
The number of tiles that you need to build a porch roof will depend on the size of the tiles you want to use. A standard-sized roof tile in the UK is 265 mm x 165 mm, which means you'll need between 60 and 70 tiles per square metre that needs to be covered.
Flat Roof Rubber Price
The average cost of a flat rubber roof is around £80 per square metre (m²).
This means that a porch roof that covers a space that's around 3 metres square (3m²) would cost around £240.
Flat rubber porch roofs are a popular choice as they're affordable and easy to install. They're durable too, as they are weather resistant.
Porch Flooring Price
You'll also need to think about the type of flooring you want to be laid in your porch.
Most porches act as a port of entry to the home and are usually laid with either tiled or wood flooring.
The cost of tiled flooring per square metre is around £20, and wood flooring prices per square metre are about £35.
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What Impacts How Much a Porch Costs?
A number of factors can affect the cost of building a porch.
In the subsections below, we've collected together specific factors that might impact the cost of a new porch project.
Size of the Porch
The larger the porch you're looking to have installed, the higher the cost is going to be.
The average porch cost per square metre (m²) is around £1,400. This is with standard materials though, and you may find that you're quoted significantly higher than this if you want premium materials or a specific aesthetic.
With this in mind, you can see how the price can drastically rise if you choose to build a larger porch.
Number of Porch Windows
Porch window prices are usually between £300 and £1,000.
The upper end of this range is reserved mainly for the most premium options. There are various options that are priced between £300 and £500 which will be suitable for most average installations, although it's also worth investing in double-glazed windows to help with energy efficiency and home comfort.
The more windows, the higher the total porch cost.
Porch Roof Style
The two most popular styles of roofing for a porch are a tiled pitched roof and a rubber flat roof.
Using roof tiles is more than likely going to work out more expensive than having a flat porch roof installed.
You should expect to pay between £0.80 and £1.80 per roof tile, and around £80 per square metre of flat rubber roofing.
Porch Types
The types of porch will also lead to variations in the price you're quoted.
For example, if you would like a lean-to porch extension, you can expect a uPVC porch cost to be around £2,500 - whereas a flat gable roof porch costs roughly £3,500.
I have been quoted £260 for a porch light fitting, and I have supplied the light. Is this too much?
"If new cable run is required from nearest existing lighting circuit, then lifting floorboards, chasing walls etc., and a switch needs to be added. Minor works certificate req'd to be sent to building control. So depends on the job, but £250 seems fair if a lot of work is needed."
Types of Porch
There are various types of porches - and each one comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Below are the different types of porches that you can add to your existing home and the pros and cons of each one.
uPVC Porch
uPVC porches are a traditional style of porch that uses uPVC as the primary material. Due to the ease of customisation and their affordability, uPVC porches are a very popular choice in the UK.
Pros
- ✔ Completely weather-resistant
- ✔ Low maintenance
- ✔ Good value for money
Cons
- ✖ Lack of character
Lean-To Porch
A lean-to porch, as the name might suggest, is a type of structure that looks like it's leaning onto the side of a building.
This is a popular type of porch, which is a straightforward addition to a property's exterior.
Pros
- ✔ Blends in well to most homes
- ✔ Simple and easy to build
- ✔ Can easily be removed
- ✔ Perfect for small spaces
Cons
- ✖ Doesn't offer as much protection as other porch styles
Glass Porch
A glass porch is made mostly of glass. This type of porch is great for letting a lot of natural light into your home.
Pros
- ✔ Lets in a lot of light
- ✔ Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- ✖ Lack of privacy
- ✖ Fragile
- ✖ Quite expensive
Brick Porch
A brick porch is a traditional-looking addition to your home's exterior, fitting in with most UK homes. Brick is a long-lasting material, making it a popular low-maintenance porch option.
Pros
- ✔ Durable and weather-resistant material, with little upkeep
- ✔ Matches the aesthetic of most UK homes
Cons
- ✖ Can be more expensive than uPVC porches
- ✖ Takes longer to build due to the extra effort involved in bricklaying
Aluminium Porch
An aluminium porch is made mostly of aluminium materials. It's the perfect type of porch for places with extreme weather conditions, as it's more durable and resistant to the elements.
Pros
- ✔ Extremely tough and strong
- ✔ Lightweight and flexible
- ✔ Unlimited choice of colours
Cons
- ✖ Quite expensive
Timber Porch
A timber porch is a structure made mostly of timber. It's fairly straightforward to build, and the material is well-priced.
Pros
- ✔ Aesthetically pleasing
- ✔ Easy to work with
Cons
- ✖ Can scratch, stain, and splinter easily
- ✖ High maintenance
Will I Need Planning Permission to Build a New Porch?
To add a small porch to the front of your property, you won’t usually need planning permission.
You will only need to apply for planning approval if your porch meets any of the following criteria:
- The external ground floor area exceeds 3 squared metres (3m²).
- Any area of the porch is more than 3 metres above ground level.
- Any area of the porch is within 2 metres of any boundary.
- Any area of the porch is within 2 metres of any public roads.
- Any area of the porch is within 2 metres of any public footpaths.
If you do find that you need planning permission for your porch, this will cost you £258 to apply for in England.
Do you require planning permission for a small entrance porch? One central door and a window either side on the front of a house.
"In the United Kingdom, planning permission for a small porch depends on its size and location. Most small porches fall under permitted development rights, which means you can build them without a full planning permission application. As long as it meets the size and height criteria, you likely won’t need planning permission. However, always check with your local council."
What Type of Roof Can I Have on My Porch?
There are several different roof designs for porches in the UK.
Below is an outline of the most popular types of porch roofs.
Pitched Porch Roof Cost
A pitched roof is a great design that works well on the majority of homes. It is perfect for those who have wider homes or for homes that have a small front garden with not as much room.
The average cost of a pitched porch roof is £30 to £65 per m².
Gable End Pitched Porch Roof Cost
A gable end pitched roof is the perfect choice for homes that have a good amount of room at the front of the property. Similar to pitched roofs, a lot of homeowners like to use the peak at the front area of the porch as a nice decorative feature.
The average cost of a gable end pitched porch roof is £30 to £65 per m².
Flat Porch Roof Cost
A flat roof offers a very subtle and contemporary look to your porch. Flat roofs are best for homes that feature a large window above the space where the porch is being built.
They are also great for bungalows that have a low roofline.
The average cost of a flat porch roof is £35 to £70 per m².
Double Hipped to Wall Porch Roof Cost
A double hipped to wall roof offers a more traditional look to your porch design. This type of roof is perfect for older properties as they take inspiration from the Elizabethan era.
The average cost of a double hipped to wall porch roof is £50 to £100 per m².
Double Hipped to Ridge Porch Roof Cost
This design of this type of roof is much larger than other designs, so it works best on homes where spacing isn’t an issue. It is quite a modern design and can be fitted with French doors for a wonderfully grand entrance.
The average cost of a double hipped to ridge porch roof is £25 to £60 per m².
Single Hipped Porch Roof Cost
Single-hipped roofs are very neat and smaller than most other roof designs. This type of roof is perfect for properties where floor space is at a premium. They’re also great for homes where the front elevation appearance can’t be altered.
The average cost of a single hipped porch roof is £30 to £65 per m².
Why Should I Build a Porch?
A new porch is a wonderful addition to any home. It’s a great way to add space and security, while letting light into your property.
But, why else might you want to build a porch?
- More space – Homeowners often crave more space in their homes, and a porch is a great way to introduce some extra space in your property.
- Storage opportunities – You can store many things in a porch, such as your shoes and coats, which will free up space inside your home.
- Keep the heat inside the property – A porch is a separate room, which means that you don’t have to open the front door and let all the heat out. Instead, the heat can remain in the home, and the cold air from outside will only enter the porch area.
- More security – A porch offers an extra layer of security to the house. You can have a lock on the external door as well as the door that enters the home.
- Increase the value of the house – A porch can add value to your home, which is great if you're looking to sell your home in the near future.
- A better entrance to the home – A porch offers a grander entrance to the home.
- Aesthetically pleasing – Porches are a beautiful addition to the outside of your home and can be pleasing to the eye.
What's Involved in Building a New Porch?
Building a porch can be a difficult job, and it’s important that it is done safely, precisely, and in line with UK building regulations in order to achieve the best results.
This type of extension requires a lot of specific knowledge in terms of materials, design, and execution. With this in mind, building a porch is a job that is best left to experienced professionals and not one recommended as a DIY project.
Due to the complexity of the work, it's not just about getting the best price to fit your porch budget, but also about hiring the right people. That's why it's recommended to search via MyJobQuote to find porch specialists in your area and receive at least three free quotes, without having to commit unless you're entirely confident.
So, what's actually involved in building a porch? Here's an overview of the basic process:
Before the Job Starts
- Site Assessment — Your builders will begin by assessing the area where your new porch will be built. They'll look at the ground, see if there's an existing base that's suitable for use, and consider if any additional drainage will be required or moved.
During the Job
- Laying Foundations — The area where your porch will sit is dug out ready to create the foundations. Concrete is poured, and a damp-proof course is added to prevent any moisture issues.
- Creating the Subfloor — A second layer of concrete is poured on top of the damp-proof course and left to set, forming the subfloor.
- Building the Walls — Your builder will then start work on the walls once the subfloor has set. If you are having brick walls, these are built up while allowing sufficient window space free.
- Installing the Roof — Once the walls are in place, the porch roof is installed. Depending on the porch design, this can involve timber rafters, support beams or a flat roof frame being added. At this point gutters and downpipes can be added to help disperse rainwater away from the building.
- Windows, Doors, and Interior Finishes — Finally, porch windows and front door are installed, and the interior is plastered. Skirting boards, flooring, and any necessary electrical work are also fitted.
After the Job
- Final Checks — The builder will check the completed porch to ensure your new porch extension is fully functional, with fixtures and fittings working, while ensuring the end project will sufficiently meet building regulations approval.
Checklist: Hiring a Porch Builder in the UK
When you're looking to build a new porch extension, it's important to understand the building costs involved and any questions you need to ask when hiring someone to carry out the work. As such, consider the following points when searching for the right person for the job:
- Have they completed a similar porch project recently? Ask to see the builder’s most recent porch design they've been involved in constructing, along with any other related jobs.
- Do they have a portfolio of their work? Along with their most recent porch build, this will give you an up-to-date picture of their current level of expertise and previous projects.
- Have you checked for positive reviews? Search for the building company online, check their MyJobQuote profile and social media for reviews and past client feedback.
- Are they able to self-certify? This helps ensure the builder will complete the work in accordance with building regulations. Also, check if they will handle the necessary paperwork and approvals.
- Will they discuss the porch project in detail? Hire a company that will work with you on all areas of your new porch design until you’re completely happy with the proposal and final porch cost.
- Are they able to accommodate custom designs? Whether it's double-glazed windows, decorative glass, brick walls instead of uPVC, or custom features, ensure the building costs include any special requests.
- Have you requested more than one quote? It is always recommended to source at least three separate quotes, which can help provide a more accurate idea of the average porch cost. MyJobQuote can connect you with local builders without any commitment to hire.
- Have you received a detailed cost breakdown? This should include each aspect of the porch cost, from the front door to labour and materials, so there are no hidden fees.
- Do they have insurance and guarantees? Builders should have public liability insurance in case of an accident or injury during the porch project. Check what guarantees are offered before, during, and after the build.
FAQs
Can I Build a New Porch Myself?
Building a porch yourself can save on labour costs, however it’s far from a straightforward DIY project and is an expensive investment. It's important to ensure your porch build complies with building regulations, not only for safety and structural reasons, but also in terms of property value should you wish to sell your home at a later date. Without professional experience, mistakes may lead to costly repairs, so hiring a qualified builder is the safer and more reliable option.
Do Rear Porches Differ from Front Porches?
Rear porch designs are similar in terms of materials and construction, however, they are usually the larger porch out of the two. As such, the overall building cost can be more based on the size, design and use. Planning permission and building regulations are generally the same, although it's always best to double-check with your local planning authority.
Can I Install a Porch on My Existing Base?
You can install a porch on an existing base, as long as it's in good working order and not damaged. With a suitable existing base, you can then install new wall frames that can be built into a new porch - if you're unsure whether your existing base is in good enough condition, get advice from a tradesperson via MyJobQuote.
Can a New Porch Increase Property Value?
Installing a new porch can improve your house's market value, but the exact amount will vary depending on the quality, design, and your location in the UK. If you're preparing your home for sale, then a new porch can make the property more aesthetically appealing, which could help you sell the property faster.
How Can I Make My Porch As Energy-Efficient As Possible?
For maximum energy efficiency, make sure your walls, roof, and floors are insulated with high-quality materials. You can also have upvc windows, double-glazed windows fitted or triple-glazing, which will help to reduce heat loss, as well as an energy-efficient front door installed.
Do I Need To Upgrade or Move Drainage Before Installing a Porch?
Depending on the position of your gutters and downpipes, you may need replacement guttering installed if they're currently sitting where your new porch will be installed. Your builder will be able to advise on any other arrangements, such as alterations to your drainage layout, if they think there's potential for water pooling around the foundations.
How Can I Make My Porch More Secure?
A good way of improving your porch security is to install security cameras or video doorbells as part of a larger home security system. These will not only give you visibility on the comings and goings at your property, but will also act as a deterrent for potential thieves.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove a Porch?
On average, the total cost for the demolition of a porch (including waste removal) is between £1,500 and £3,000. However, the overall cost can depend on the size and construction, with a brick porch potentially being more expensive to remove. There also other factors to consider when demolishing a porch, such as its contents, the style of roof, flooring, and if any electrics are involved.
