Update April 2022: Major home improvement projects in the UK have experienced double-digit cost inflation over the last 12 months, this has been well publicised in the media and confirmed by our own research. Porches, extensions and other construction projects are bearing the brunt of these price increases. The porch prices on this page were updated in April 2022 and reflect the current situation, which could change as the cost of labour, materials and fuel is still rising. We urge consumers to get at least three quotes for comparison (get your custom porch price here) as some firms are so busy that they’re inflating their prices even further.
Some context: Around 7-8 years ago, porches and small extensions were costing around £1250 per square metre, with variations depending on where you lived. That price is for a fully completed project and includes labour and materials.
Unfortunately, a lot has changed since then and even before the cost of living crisis, prices were edging towards £1750 per square metre in many parts of the UK.
With the current pricing fluctuations, a shortage of labour, high demand, rising fuel costs and increased National Insurance contributions, the cost per square metre of extensions and smaller projects such as porches is difficult to calculate.
Porch Prices in April 2022
In April 2022 we asked a dozen builders and contractors from various locations around the UK to provide us with prices for a straightforward 3 sq mtr porch extension to our property.
This is a small porch extension and as such, is outside the scope of Planning Permission, which means it’s a “permitted development”. This also helps to reduce costs and paperwork.
We also asked for a guide price for the construction of a larger 6 square metre porch that would require planning permission.
The prices we received included:
- Excavation of the ground.
- Foundations.
- Brick walls and tiled roof.
- Upvc window and composite front door installed.
- All internal work, inc plastering, painting, flooring, electrics, lighting etc to a basic standard.
- Waste disposal.
- Labour and all materials.
- VAT if charged (many of the builders we contacted didn’t charge VAT as they were trading below the VAT threshold)
This table displays an average of the prices given to us and a calculated price per square metre:
| Project: | Price: |
|---|---|
| Small porch canopy, secured via wall brackets, no walls, tiled roof | £1900 |
| 3 square metre enclosed porch | £9600 (£3200 per square metre) |
| 6 square metre enclosed porch (essentially a small extension) | £17,700 (£2950 per square metre) |
| Get a Custom Price Here | Get a Custom Price Here |
Limitations of Our Porch Pricing Data
The prices shown above are a snapshot of what builders and firms are charging for a porch finished to a basic standard, as of April 2022.
Demand is currently very high and there’s a shortage of skilled labour with many firms engaging in “price gouging” and dubious outsourcing.
The cost of building materials has skyrocketed in recent months and how much these materials will cost in the near future is impossible to predict.
Rising fuel costs and National Insurance contribution rises are also adding to inflationary pressure.
We also saw some very wild price variations with some eye-watering figures given to us by firms working in London and the Southeast.
To put it bluntly, the estimates you are given for a similar project could be substantially more or less than the figures provided to us, hence why we urge consumers to get a customised price rather than relying on our snapshot of prices.
How Much Do You Think a Small Porch Will Cost You?
We first published this porch price guide back in 2017 and have updated it frequently since then.
We originally included a poll where we asked our visitors how much they thought a new porch would cost.
Tens of thousands of our site’s visitors have taken part but the results are now out of date since the cost of living crisis and inflation kicked in.
You can take part in the poll if you wish:
Do You Need Planning Permission For New Porch? What About Building Regulations?
If the dwelling is a listed building then you will almost certainly require planning permission. The cost of this varies from council to council, but you should be able to find prices online via your local authority.
If the property isn’t a listed building, then the following will most likely apply.
You do not need planning if:
- the total floor area does not exceed 3 square metres
- the height does not exceed 3 metres
- no part of the porch is within 2 metres of the boundary, public path or road
The Planning Portal (which is a website we suggest you read through) also states the following:
Building a porch at ground level and under 3 square metres in floor area is normally exempt from the need for building regulation approval.
This is provided that glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the appropriate sections of building regulations.
For a porch to be exempt from building regulations approval:
- the front entrance door between the existing house and the new porch must remain in place
- if the house has ramped or level access for disabled people, the porch must not adversely affect access.
In other words; to be exempt from building regulations approval, you can’t remove the existing door and have an open plan porch.
If you remove it, then the porch must comply with the myriad of regulations, including fire safety and insulation etc.
Does Location Affect the Price?
Yes.
Our prices are an average based on respondents from several locations in the UK.
It’s safe to assume the work carried out in London may cost more while prices in the north of the UK may be cheaper.
What Are Others Saying About Front Porch Prices?
2pm Architects suggests a price of around £1850 per square metre for extensions finished to a mid-range specification. Due to the economics of scale, smaller projects such as porches may cost more per square metre.
In 2019, Design4Me suggested a starting price of £1500 per square metre for extensions and up to £1850-2250 for those living in London. With recent price increases and the economies of scale, it’s safe to assume that the cost will be higher now.
DIYnot is another forum where homeowners post questions and professional and keen DIYers answer them. This forum thread has a question about porch prices and several answers including from builders who have experience in constructing porches. £5-7k for a professionally installed porch seems to be the accepted rate back in 2016.
Where Can You Save Money?
Because porches are so practical and are located at the front of the property, we don’t recommend scrimping and saving by using poor quality materials or installation techniques.
That said, there are some things to consider:
- a felted flat roof is cheaper than a tiled roof but doesn’t look nearly as appealing
- a one-sided tiled roof (a lean-to) is cheaper than a multi-faceted (hipped) roof
- double glazing windows and composite doors can be expensive but there are many different products on the market, so it’s worth looking around
Is There a Cheaper Alternative to a New Porch?
If a fully enclosed porch isn’t what you’re looking for then you could consider a canopy.
These offer protection from the rain but are otherwise open and are essentially a hood over the front door.
Canopies can be made from timber and have a tiled roof or they can be manufactured from plastic or fibreglass.
We are huge fans of classic timber porch canopies as they’re affordable, can be covered with any type of roof tile and painted to match the doors and windows.
A good starting point would be these kits supplied by Chiltern Timbers.
Small timber canopy kit – £400
Paint and incidentals- £200
Felt and tiles – £300
Labour – £900
Total cost – £1800 (guide price)
Will a New Porch Increase My Home’s Value?
If you live in a home where the front door opens directly into the living room or there is limited space downstairs, then there’s a good case for building an enclosed porch that provides space for shoes and jackets etc.
You may then get back what you paid when you come to sell the house.
If you design and build a porch within the constraints of the permitted development rules, you won’t need planning permission either, which will save you money.
Get a Quote
Do you want a fixed price and a written quote for a canopy or front porch?
Tap the button below and fill in the contact form:
This guide was written by Danny Woodley and was last updated in April 2022.
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Explore our full list of detailed price guides here.
