Oak porches are some of the simplest and easiest ways to jazz up your home. Adding a ‘pre-living’ space gives you a seamless transition from the ‘real world’ to the refuge of home, and adds to your property value, too. However, building and oak porch isn’t a fly-by-night decision. If you’re wondering how much an oak porch costs, or how to budget for your extension, keep reading. Oak Porches UK has all the information you need.
What goes into building an oak porch?
Before you even begin budgeting for your porch, it’s important to make sure that it will fit into your life correctly. That doesn’t just mean choosing a style that appeals to your tastes. It’s also critical that you determine whether or not planning permission will be required for your project. For England and Wales, it’s typical that structures under 3m square in size do not require planning permission. While that may be a load off your mind already, it’s still important to check in with your local planning authority. Not only can regulations differ by area, but there may also be other compliance details you will need to fall in line with.
Once you know you’re in the clear, and what building standards you will have to work within, you can begin to plan your oak porch with more certainty. Now is the time to think carefully about features you require as well as the space open to you. Will you have enough space for everything you require? Will the design which is catching your eye blend into your existing home seamlessly? Will you opt for a DIY kit porch or full installation?
Once you have a solid, realistic plan of action instead of simple dreams, you’ll have a far easier time selecting a quality oak porch provider and in budgeting for the new extension.
So, how much does an oak porch cost?
It may be a little frustrating to read, but the answer is similar to ‘how long is a piece of string’. It depends. You will be heartened to know, however, that this will likely be one of the simplest, lowest-cost additions you can make you tour home that will boost it’s curb appeal and face value.
On to the nitty-gritty, however. The material used will be a big part of your outlay. This is where using one of our oak porch kits can be a fantastic way to help you stay within the budget, as you have the peace of mind of knowing everything you need for the base build is included in the package. That doesn’t, however, mean the kit cost is the whole price you should budget for.
Now you have the cost of the oak framing sorted, it’s time to factor in other variables. Depending on soil type, area and style, foundations may be required for the porch. Some styles also allow for brickwork at the base of the porch, and you need to factor in labour and costs for both of these. Pier and slab foundations can be used, dependant on the circumstances and type of porch, but it’s important to determine which will contribute best to longevity and safety.
This is probably the best time to decide how much of this you will be doing alone. DIY can be a great way to trim the fat from the budget, but it’s not for everyone. It’s important to be realistic about what you can do yourself, and what would best be left to a seasoned pro. Partial DIY builds, where you tackle what you are comfortable with and leave others for professional fitters, are more than possible.
Building an oak porch, and keeping the budget in hand
Now you know a little more about what the council requires for your oak porch, and how you will ensure a solid, safe construction, it’s time to look at some other key budgetary details.
Most oak porch designs will require roof tiles of some sort. Obviously, you can go as extravagant or as simple as you’d like, but try to pick a style that will blend seamlessly with the existing build. If you’re using an enclosed porch style to add some storage, you will also need to consider flooring options, as well as decide what form of screening or walls you are using if the design does not include these. Even if the porch is remaining open, you may wish to add rails or other screens to ensure a homely feel that completes your house.
Accessories count too. This is how you will tie together your new porch as a key part of your living space. Do you wish to place a fan or a heater there? Is paint and stain going to be required? Even something as wishful as a porch swing should be included in your budget.
Last, but certainly not least, the services of a professional electrician will be needed to fully integrate your oak porch into your home. Unless you are extremely confident in DIY, this is probably best left to a certified professional, both for safety and aesthetics…. There’s no point in investing in an oak porch only to settle for a ‘bodge job’.
Once you have these key parts of your plan assembles, getting quotes should be easy enough. Typical advice is to add 10-15% to the budget you establish, to cover mishaps and unforeseen costs along the way.
There you have it! A key part of building an oak porch is budgeting to ensure the job is perfect. Remember, the friendly team at Oak Porches UK are always happy to help you answer any questions you may have about the process.