How much value does a conservatory add?

bluebell_woods

I don't think the conservatory would put £15K onto the value. A few other thoughts. We've only had one conservatory - in the property we live in at the moment. It's south west facing, so it does get hot in the summer - luckily it has lots of fanlight windows! At the inbetween seasons it's lovely and warm with the sun. It's important to look at which way the conservatory faces and your potential uses for it. For me the one good thing is the light all year round. We have a table in there and we do lots of work at the table, including writing, making things, sewing etc. We also eat in there and it makes a really different kind of space when you're surrounded by garden. Wouldn't be such a good experience if you felt that other people's windows were overlooking you though. We use two small oil filled radiators to heat it when it's really cold, the expense isn't too bad - I always think we'd have to heat it if it was an extension anyway. Hope the OP finds the right house at the right price!

DominicJ_2

I always think we'd have to heat it if it was an extension anyway.

Yeah but a proper extention would not have a 75-100% glass roof and 50% glass walls
Even the most efficient triple glazing is miles behind 50mm of fibreglass.

If I can go slightly into my own personal experience.
I own a three bed terraced, giant plot, well, I think its big anyway, of 100x20ft, but the house is fairly small, at 20x20ish.
Even the biggest permitted conservatory doesnt take much of the garden, but its a big boost to house space, even more so if you use it as a place for the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer ect to live, that buys you much more room in the kitchen.

Nynaeve

Wow, thank you for all the replies!

We're going for our viewing this evening, so I will check out how it's heated and which direction it faces.

Nynaeve

*update*

Well, went to see the house and it was indeed beautiful, ticked all the boxes. Conservatory is heated by two radiators from the central heating so I think it would be as warm as it could be in the winter. Garden is south-ish facing so potentially could get very warm in the summer. In terms of usage of space, it would be perfect for our dining table and a reading chair. The garden is small but not too small. (it's just the two of us so would be perfect)

Alas, seller has said outright should would not even entertain an offer less than £145k. (asking £150k, my assesment £140k) so it's a no go.

Oh well, back to searching, thanks for your help everyone.

jimbog

I would put an offer in of £140K and leave it on the table - you never know!

motherofstudents

If you like it make your offer. You have nothing to lose. If they turn it down, they might change their minds later and if not you can just keep looking. We have a huge conservatory (and a massive garden) but I would prefer a proper extension. When we had the conservatory built we just couldn't afford an extension but regret it now.

DominicJ_2

Nynaeve wrote: »

*update*
Conservatory is heated by two radiators from the central heating so I think it would be as warm as it could be in the winter.

Its not so much a matter of difficulty, as cost.

Nynaeve

DominicJ wrote: »

Its not so much a matter of difficulty, as cost.

Thanks, that is food for thought. There is room for small table in the kitchen so it's not a problem being able to use it as a dining room all year round. We do tend to have informal dinner parties quite a bit so the space for the large table would be welcome and we could control when / how much we heat it. The mortgage wouldn't be streching us to the limit of our budget and we can easily afford the bill.

*another update*
We did make the offer expecting it to be turned down but apparantly we made a good impression on the vendor and she likes the idea of selling to a young couple like ourselves! :eek:
It's so strange, I've been doing all my research, getting the numbers right, and in the end it may come down to a first impression we made on a stranger! It's not a yes yet but amazing that we would even be considered on this basis!

geoffky

A lot of them are rubbish and the buyer has been ripped off with the price..I think they add no value unless they are large and heated but my m8 heating bill had doubled since he got underground heating in his..can you afford to heat them properly,many can not..

celler

We have a 3m by 4m conservatory off the lounge, it opens on to an outside raised decked area.
Has a 2 seat sofa that folds out as a double bed if needed.Has a table and chairs that can seat 6 at a push.
It may add little value, it maybe hot in summer and cold (though central heated) in winter.But frankly is the most versatile room in are home and is great.
Think its more a case of how/if you'll use it.