Conservatory queries

inkie

Our conservator (14' x 10' ft ) came in at £1500. OH bought an ex-display model from a garden centre and had to dismantle it and then re-errect it. He also did the base and flooring etc, and then got a local spakrie to come and put the electrics in.

I would go for a single stprey extensioin though for what you are describing - we had one of those done a couple of years ago (6' x 20') and coma in a less than 7 grand. The way that we did it was to approacha an architect to see what the options were - he then drew up plans and submitted for planning, and once they had been approved, we employed a local builder - the buidling was completed in 5 weeks, and then DH put the kitchen it - the builder can do as much or as little as you like - you specify what you want from him.

Grumps

Creative thinking! Moi?

The first thing to do is to check your local classified ads for people local who do building plans. They 'should' known the vaguaries of your local council building inspectors.

Next, get your backside in gear and get yourself up to your planning department with a fairly accurate layout of your property. They are there to help. Not to be obstructive.

If I remember correctly, in the case of a conservatory, if it is no taller than 5 metres, no closer to an adjoining property than 3 metres, and no more than 15% of the existing building footprint, then Planning Permission is NOT required. However, this may only apply to conservatories.

Armed with your list of providers of who produce plans, explore who they are happy to work with. They ain't gonna suggest a particular individual, but if you read between the lines of what they say, you're going to get a good idea as to whom they favour.

And, I believe, because of Part P, all electrical work now has to appear on Planning apllications.

Having Project Managed/Laboured my own extension, if you've got a cash stream, open accounts with a couple of builders merchants. To a builder, not having to receive and pay invoices, is virtually as good as cash in hand. In fact, even better, because in the event of non-payment, all they lose is their time. They are not carrying any liability for materials supplied. And some of the discounts to account holders, over cash puchasers, are unbelieveable. Never again will I pass over a credit card at somewhere like Jewsons or Travis Perkins. It goes on the account. Even for a tin of paint.

Save £200 by throwing a barbeque party and getting all your mates to help dig out the footings. Save another £100 if they bring along a load of strong plastics bage and take the spoil away in their cars. A bit like the 'Great Escape' in modern day terms! Skips are damned expensive.

If you want extra light in the ceiling, go for Velux (or similar) in the pitched roof. Screwfix are a good source of the cheaper range although, to be honest, with all the extra 'labour' for trimming around them, something like a Sun Tube can work out just as cheap, or certainly, not much more expensive.

Depending upon the age of your property, you might be able to find matching roof tiles (even bricks - but that could be at a premium) at an Architectural Salvage dealer. Check the Net, Yellow pages, Classified ads. Why buy new when you don't have to.

And a tip I picked up from one of the DIY TV programmes is, if you are paying people a 'day rate', at the end of each day, even if you are absolutely crackered, spend some time clearing up and making ready for them to get on with the work when they return. You're paying them to build. Not to clear up behind themselves.

chinagirl

we have a conservatory 14' by 10'. full length, but we opted for a solid tiled roof on it instead of plastic or glass, so no noise in rainy weather. We had a radiator fitted which is linked up to our gas central heating system, so cheap to heat. We have an oil-filled electric heater which we keep on low to ensure the temperature does not fall below a certain point.

As for using it, it is the most used room of the house. The computer is in there, we have a settee and TV, kids have their playstation in their and DH has his stereo and record collection in their.

Another good thing about having a solid roof, is it keeps it cooler in summer, and I am sure it helps keep the warmth in during the winter.

ictmad

we have been pricing conservatories for a while now,tried 4 local companies(only 1 known to most here will be cr smith) conservatory on front of house size is length 12-13ft by 8-9 foot and cheapest quote was £15k,dearest was cr smith a t£21k(andf thats just conservatory built no electrics,internal doors from house,tiles power etc none of that included in price)surely we can do this loads cheaper with company above?i work at a builders merchants so shouldnt be a hassle getting some materials etc cheaper,and i know a lot of builders/brickies/joiners etc who may do it as a homer,what route is best to take??

MissBehaving

We have an Amdega conservatory which his the width of our house. Looks stunning. All glass and wood! ... We have underfloor heating also.
BUT, like other posters have said, it is hot in summer and cold in winter.

We use it as a breakfast room / gym/ storage / toyroom at the moment and have to admit that I would rather have a extension with double doors that open from wall to wall.

By the way ... for future use... (especially if you plan to sell), the warrenty is for the owner of the house, not the building. So if you sell, the buyer will lhave to pay to have the warrenty changed.

santashelper_2

i see you are looking for a conservatory on a budget i dont know if you have tried this but my sister just got an amazing bargain she was at her local diy store looking for some bits she needed and noticed they were advertising a conservatory for sale in window it is ex display with cane furniture and blinds worth at least £10,000 ok she needs to have the pay to put the foundations down but youll never guess what she paid for the lot £250 as they need the space in the store so it may pay to ask at this time of year when stores are changing their models if any will be taken down, she is so chuffed it was the bargain of the year and will be erecting it in the spring.

hope this helps:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :money: :j :j :j :j :j