Conservatories, effect on value and general advice

mjfusent

I just wondered peoples opinions on the value added by having conservatory built and any tips in general on doing so.

We're in the process of buying (hope to complete in June) a fairly large newish 4 bed detached house in a semi rural location in a nice village, just outside Newcastle for a little under £400K. Based on the research we've done this seems a fairly good price, borne out by the competition we had in securing it, quite soon after it came on the market, and the price similar properties in the area have sold for recently (houseprices.co.uk).

However due to the nature of my work we may not be there for more than 1-2 years but would like a conservatory as there is a good size garden and some nice views from it. My concern is that if we spend £10-£15K having a conservatory built will we add a similar amount of value to the property? The main reason for adding the conservatory is for our enjoyment, I know there are no guarantee's and don't necessarily expect every penny back (never mind the stamp duty!)

On another note, peoples experiences on having conservatories built (e.g. small local firm or big national) and any advice would be gratefully received

Many Thanks,

Mike

sneekymum

Don't know anything about adding value - but do know everything else about Conservatories.

I'd have one just for the pleasure of it and would always favour a local company over a national one. There are many small companies in every area - I would choose one big enough to have a permanent showroom (with fully finished conservatories) and their own construction team.

Lots of Conservatory companies start up and fold each year - sometimes by design - I'd look for one big enough not to require that you pay a penny till you're happy - don't pay any sort of deposit.

Avoid anyone working for cash. And anyone with only a mobile number. And get an insurance backed guarantee - which will be presented to you as a certificate - the benefit can be passed on to whoever buys your house next.

If you think you won't need Planning Permission then get it in writing from the council - don't take anyone else's word for it.

lynzpower

Im not a fan of conservatories to be honest, I think they are ever so slightlynaff. I did however, love watching the Armstrongs!!

Although my parents have one, it seems like quite a bit of work for them as it needs "resetting" whatever that is, they said they could buy a new one for whatever they will have to spend on repairs to it.

If you want one, have one for you, not for the buyer, as you dont know who they will be or if they will like conservatories.

cattie

I don't think a conservatory adds much to the value of a house, but it could be a selling point for some people.

A decent extension on the other hand will almost always add quite a bit of value to the house & is something I'd much prefer to a conservatory any day.

Perhaps consider having an extension built that can be used as a garden room but also able to morph itself into another very useable room for the future.

sneekymum

A conservatory which is not to my taste would make me think twice about buying a property.

I particularly dislike the ghastly "Victorian" P-Shaped ones with "stained glass" and "cresting".

missile

I added a conservatory to my property and doubt whether I gained the value when I sold but it certainly helped sell the house. A same priced extension will generally add more to the value. However if you only expect to live there two years, niether option is likely to make you money. I have no doubt it is a nice house and a good buy, but nevertheless £400K seems a lot more than the average house price, particularly so in Newcastle and if you add to the value you may limit your market.

The comment about stamp duty is a joke, I guess?

sneekymum

missile wrote:

I added a conservatory to my property and doubt whether I gained the value when I sold but it certainly helped sell the house. A same priced extension will generally add more to the value.

Trouble is though you'd get a very small extension for the same price as a Conservatory.

mjfusent

Thanks for all the replies, I think, as a few have said we should fit one because we want one, we where never expecting to add more value than the cost of the conservatory, this isn't a property development excersize. I hope we'll be there for a few years yet, but am aware that if we need to move sooner rather than later we may not recoup the whole additional cost of the conservatory.

On extensions - I must confess that I usually don't like them, the majority I've seen are not in keeping with the origional structure and some stick out like a sore thumb (the same argument could, I know be made for some conservatories on some properties). We tended to put off viewing obviously extended properties.

This is a fairly new propertly with a large garden and far reaching rural views which I belevie will be made all the more attractive for having an appropriately sized and well constructed conservatory.

In terms of £400K being a lot for a house near Newcastle, this particular village has several properties which have sold for several times that amount, and a few similar properties which have also realised similar values to what we're paying. In Newcastle itself properties of these prices are by no means rare (we're moving from a smaller one which we sold for around £300K, and its location was not as nice).