Covering Chatham
Our coverage around Chatham (ME4) also includes Gillingham, Rochester and Strood.
Homes in the South East
Housing across the South East mixes inter-war semis, post-war estates and older cottages in villages and market towns, so rear and side extensions, hip-to-gable lofts and garage conversions all come up regularly.
What is 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
- Foundations and matching brickwork
- Tiled, slate or lead roof
How much should I budget for a porch?
Typical ranges for porches. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.
| 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 |
Planning and building rules in Chatham
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 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.
- Gas meters and drains near the front door may need relocating.
What happens after I enquire?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- 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
Do I need planning permission for a porch?
Not in England if it is no bigger than 3 m², no higher than 3 m and at least 2 m from the boundary with a road.
Will the brick match?
We source the closest available match and agree it with you before building.
Do you work in Chatham?
Yes. Chatham is within our coverage for porches, along with nearby Gillingham and Rochester.
Other towns nearby
Learn more about porches, or see every project we cover in Chatham.