Conservatories........

alleycat`

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Then you may be better off building an extension. As has been pointed out, conservatories are not really ideal living space year round. They are meant for growing plants in.

Basically I'd agree with this if you are comparing new for new.

What my conservatory cost v's what an extension of the same size would cost isn't massively different (when you consider usability, life expectancy, etc).

If you are going to put up a second hand / refurbished unit then it might work out the conservatory is an ok compromise.

Person_one

emsywoo123 wrote: »

It's a really long and boring story but I need my house to be a little bit bigger and I can't afford to move

What are you planning to use the space for?

alleycat`

emsywoo123 wrote: »

Thank you, I don't really think the chances of getting permission for that is likely-I live in quite a snug estate :eek:

size for size, is an extension likely to cost more. I know these are carp questions sorry

Depends where you live on the costs.
Typically for a very basic extension 1sq metre is about £1K.

So a 3x4 extension would be about £12K, I'd expect a similar size conservatory to be a little bit cheaper (a couple of thousand maybe).

You'd also have to deal with planning & building control for the extension where you might / probably won't have to for a conservatory.

Edit: if you live near London all my figures are going to be out by a factor of about 1 billion dollars :O)

emsywoo123

Person_one wrote: »

What are you planning to use the space for?

It would be living / office space.

emsywoo123

alleycat` wrote: »

Depends where you live on the costs.
Typically for a very basic extension 1sq metre is about £1K.

So a 3x4 extension would be about £12K, I'd expect a similar size conservatory to be a little bit cheaper (a couple of thousand maybe).

You'd also have to deal with planning & building control for the extension where you might / probably won't have to for a conservatory.

Edit: if you live near London all my figures are going to be out by a factor of about 1 billion dollars :O)

Ha ha no not too close to London.

Once we went past about £7K I was out

jackyann

Go to http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ and look at all of their ideas, from extensions, to sheds (seriously!). Lots of useful ideas. I'd also suggest going to one of their shows - you can usually get in for free, by buying one of the magazines or contacting an exhibitor. Especially useful for finding out how much you could realistically do yourself.

emsywoo123

I've done more thinking. Sorry. What do you (this is aimed at anyone kind enough to read my drivel) think about a garage conversion?

Desperado99

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I've done more thinking. Sorry. What do you (this is aimed at anyone kind enough to read my drivel) think about a garage conversion?

My brother and SIL converted their (integral) garage for £5 about 5 years ago, although it was done by friend so it may have been 'mates rates' It has made a nice (although a bit narrow looking) dining room. I think it they could have afforded it they would have knocked through and made it a dining kitchen.

emsywoo123

Desperado99 wrote: »

My brother and SIL converted their (integral) garage for £5 about 5 years ago, although it was done by friend so it may have been 'mates rates' It has made a nice (although a bit narrow looking) dining room. I think it they could have afforded it they would have knocked through and made it a dining kitchen.

£5? I'm in :rotfl: :rotfl:

LandyAndy

Person_one wrote: »

However much it is its a waste of money. Too cold in winter, too hot in summer, not as comfortable as your actual lounge, hardly anybody with a conservatory ever actually spends any time in there!

My parents spend most of their time in theirs, summer and winter.:)

When we had one we hardly used it.:(

So that proves that 50% of people with conservatories think they are great.:D