Covering Birmingham
We work in Birmingham (B1, B2, B3) and the places around it, including Aston, Smethwick and Acocks Green.
Homes in the West Midlands
Across the West Midlands, terraced and semi-detached houses in red brick are typical, along with post-war estates where garage conversions and side extensions are popular.
What goes into a porch?
A porch is a small enclosed entrance built in front of the front door, giving somewhere for coats and shoes and a buffer against draughts. Many porches are small enough to be built without a planning application.
- Design to match the house
- Tiled, slate or lead roof
- Plastering and flooring ready finish
What will a porch cost?
Indicative costs for porches. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| Porches | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Open canopy over the door | £2,500 to £5,000 |
| Brick porch with tiled roof | £6,000 to £10,000 |
| Larger porch or front extension | £10,000 to £16,000 |
How is a porch approved in Birmingham?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.
In England a porch is permitted development if its footprint is no more than 3 m² measured externally, no part is higher than 3 m, and no part is within 2 m of a boundary with a road or footpath. Larger porches need planning permission.
What should I think about before starting?
- Keeping the original front door between house and porch can keep a porch exempt from building regulations.
- The roof pitch should echo the main roof or bay window.
What happens after I enquire?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Your questions answered
How much does a porch cost?
Most brick porches with a tiled roof cost about £6,000 to £10,000 including VAT.
Can a porch include a toilet?
Yes, but it becomes a front extension, which usually needs planning permission and building regulations approval.
Who deals with the council for a project in Birmingham?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Other towns nearby
Learn more about porches, or see every project we cover in Birmingham.

