Advice needed on buying conservatory and avoiding rip-offs?

lardconcepts

Conservatory company #1: New 3x3m UPVC wood effect (external facia only) lean-to conservatory, fitted with low walls and base, inc groundworks: £8.5k. Even though it's on the side of the house, small, low, well below roofline, they want £400 to do the planning too - this is not a conservation area, and still waiting for planning office to confirm if permission is needed.

Company #2: Same as above, wanted £11k for new one, no mention of planning. When we baulked, bloke said "I've got an 8 year old demo model, same size and colour, guaranteed 5 years.... £8.5k fitted" (he said it as if he thought an 8 year old UPVC conservatory was a bargain at that price).

I know they've got to make a profit, but I know what UPVC costs and I know what a sheet of pilkington K costs, and the difference explains why these companies always have nice Jags sat out front. So, any ideas what to do now? I don't like the fact that these conservatory companies NEVER had prices lists - I just want to be able to go round 4 or 5, get a price ex-groundwork, and take it from there. I really don't like the way the industry works.
Maybe I should get a local builder to make one from timber? Any haggling tips? I've seen a few companies on eBay doing them, but not in our area.

UncleZen

putting up a conservatroy is like printing money to most of these so-called "specialst" companies.

I did mine DIY.

bobbentos

Hi there

Where in the UK are you? I can let you know a very good comapny in Manchester.

Errata

A local builder can source all the components from a local factory that knocks out double glazing stuff / fascia & guttering stuff / conservatory stuff.
I wouldn't touch a specialist conservatory company with a bargepole.

lardconcepts

Errata wrote: »

A local builder can source all the components from a local factory that knocks out double glazing stuff / fascia & guttering stuff / conservatory stuff.
I wouldn't touch a specialist conservatory company with a bargepole.

Well, I got a quote at the weekend from a sort of hybrid of a builders and conservatory company. Around £6k for a 3x3, fully fitted, groundwork included, in wood effect UPVC with Pilkington K 28mm glass and 4-wall polycarb roof, including special floor for drain access cover, inc. 10 yr guarantee (Subject to final survey). That seems to be better than anyone else we know with a conservatory. Whaddya reckon? Getting there?

crazyguy

You could also source the materials yourself as a lot of the Diy stores supply all of these from whickes to B&Q and then get a quote for works only, may save you a bit more money !

Errata

lardconcepts wrote: »

Well, I got a quote at the weekend from a sort of hybrid of a builders and conservatory company. Around £6k for a 3x3, fully fitted, groundwork included, in wood effect UPVC with Pilkington K 28mm glass and 4-wall polycarb roof, including special floor for drain access cover, inc. 10 yr guarantee (Subject to final survey). That seems to be better than anyone else we know with a conservatory. Whaddya reckon? Getting there?

Certainly looks more realistic.

lardconcepts

crazyguy wrote: »

You could also source the materials yourself as a lot of the Diy stores supply all of these from whickes to B&Q and then get a quote for works only, may save you a bit more money !

Already looked down that route - the problem is that glazing and upvc suppliers will only do 1 year guarantees on supplied items, and builders? Well, do you ever really get a guarantee with building work?
At least this way I've got 10 years on the whole lot. Whether or not the company's around in 10 years to fulfil it is another matter entirely...

crazyguy

lardconcepts wrote: »

Already looked down that route - the problem is that glazing and upvc suppliers will only do 1 year guarantees on supplied items, and builders? Well, do you ever really get a guarantee with building work?
At least this way I've got 10 years on the whole lot. Whether or not the company's around in 10 years to fulfil it is another matter entirely...

I suppose its the best idea then, I used to fit windows and conservatory's some years ago.

You would tend to find that if a problem arises its normaly a leak where on a lean to the actual roof of the conservatory is lined up to the house and then a piece of lead is cut into the wall and over laps the roof itself, as long as they do this correct you should have no problems. with keeping it clean if its white pvc just use cif on the plastic regular and it keeps its colour longer !

24008943

Mine is 2 years old now ,similar size to your spec, had a glass roof as we were told by friends that their polycarb roof sounded like a drumbeat in heavy rain !!!
The quote we had for polycarb roof was £6000,with the glass it was eventually nearly £8000.
Make sure to ask for stays on the patio doors, else you may not get them, and have as many opening windows that you can get, as in hot weather they can be baking of course,and it is an easier option for the fitters not to have to put them in, and they may try to dissuade you ...just having decent pleated roof blinds fitted @£1450 .
Others may differ,but having a roof fan fitted in ours was a waste of dosho as it will not cool it down,for heating in cold days we just have a free standing standard electric fire ,although i reckon an oil filled type is maybe the road to go down .