Conservatory Questions...

Araboo27

Hi all, I want to add a conservatory within the next year or so. From the research I've done, a lean to style conservatory will suit us and seems to be the cheapest option. However, I'm struggling to find rough prices and at the moment I don't want to get anyone out for a quote. Was wondering if you have any rough ideas on price and tips on how to get the job done as cheap as possible? Is it much cheaper to have it done out of the summer months or does rainfall hinder the build? Should I buy a flat pack style kit and find a builder to assemble it or get the supplier to build it?

I'm looking at an approx size of 8 x 10 feet, must be weather proofed in that I can heat it during winter by either a plug in heater/underfloor heating etc and good ventilation during summer. Could possibly use an AC unit as well?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

LEJC

The only way uou will really find out the price ...is getsomeone out to quote.


We had a consevatory replaced earlier this year and the prices really do vary.We got 3 quotes but found that the cheapest and actually no different quality to the more expensive ones were those quotes from our local independant window supplier.


We basically needed a front portion androof as it was being supported by 2 parrallel walls if that makes sense....


You need to think about electrics to the area,what type of roof you want how you are going to finish the walls once enclosed and flooring...some of that was already in place for us ...but again there is vast differences to suit all budgets and the only way you will find out what suits you is to discuss your requirements.
Ours was fitted within 2 days and took about 6 weeks to order.


I wont disclose the price we eventually paid purely because I believe that you do need to tailor the space to your requirement ...but you can pay anything from a few thousand to £15k for a lean too conservatory dependant on specification.
I do however believe that if you opt for a local company they will be far cheaper than any of the nationals with deals on....if you also have a look at companies that supply guttering and facias etc they too can offer good quality bespoke stuff at no where near the cost of a national.

Furts

LEJC wrote: »

The only way uou will really find out the price ...is getsomeone out to quote.



You need to think about electrics to the area,what type of roof you want how you are going to finish the walls once enclosed and flooring...some of that was already in place for us ...but again there is vast differences to suit all budgets and the only way you will find out what suits you is to discuss your requirements.
Ours was fitted within 2 days and took about 6 weeks to order.

I wont disclose the price we eventually paid purely because I believe that you do need to tailor the space to your requirement ...but you can pay anything from a few thousand to £15k for a lean too conservatory dependant on specification.

I do however believe that if you opt for a local company they will be far cheaper than any of the nationals .

All excellent advice and I second this. I am currently involved with a conservatory. A nearby conservatory about 300mm smaller in the one direction was £20000, the one I am on is £9000. Hence on prices, how long is a piece of string?

And out of respect to the excellent opinion of LEJC I am not giving the sizes, or the specification - you do the homework!

pollypenny

We started getting estimates last summer.

The guy who,talked us down on design points was the best anyway. Then to cap it all, he rang and said that if we chose their down time, they'd include the extra patio we needed, building it up too, the flooring and blinds.

The blokes doing the groundworkd were in the rain, but worked like Trojans. We had a beautiful conservatory ready for this time last year, saving us about £4000. That includes work done professionally, that OH would have bodged.

phoenix_w

My tip, as someone who has had a pricey conservatory built to a slighty larger size than you specified with fancy glass roof and wet underfloor heating, is to think exceptionally hard about what you're doing. They get very hot in the summer even with fancy coatings and a 12,000 BTU AC helps a bit but never enough during the summer, and they're uncomfortable in winter even with fancy heating systems because the roof hemorrhages heat.

If I were to do it all over again I'd have just built a 'sunroom' with a proper roof - something that would be genuinely comfortable all year around. Maybe a couple of grand more than a conny, but what's the point of a room that's barely usable for two seasons of the year?

kaya

If you have a south facing garden forget it, ours and my mums were too hot in summer even with a roof vent and bi-folds and my mums is like an ice box in winter

Babbawah

phoenix_w wrote: »

My tip, as someone who has had a pricey conservatory built to a slighty larger size than you specified with fancy glass roof and wet underfloor heating, is to think exceptionally hard about what you're doing. They get very hot in the summer even with fancy coatings and a 12,000 BTU AC helps a bit but never enough during the summer, and they're uncomfortable in winter even with fancy heating systems because the roof hemorrhages heat.

If I were to do it all over again I'd have just built a 'sunroom' with a proper roof - something that would be genuinely comfortable all year around. Maybe a couple of grand more than a conny, but what's the point of a room that's barely usable for two seasons of the year?

^ THIS ^

Conservatories are great if you've never had one before, or you're looking to expand the floorspace on a budget. They're too hot in summer & they're too cold in winter. You end up spending what you save over a proper extension on sunblinds / AC & extra heating in winter.

There are probably 3 weeks in the UK weather cycle where they're ideal.

A sunroom or Orangery (call it what you will) however should provide much more usable comfort. If you get a local builder in to do the job it really shouldn't cost much more than a similar sized conservatory from the rob dogging rip off's with shiny brochures !

bossymoo

We bought a house with a conservatory, wasn't that useable as too cold in winter and too hot in summer. Last year I had a "supalite" roof fitted (not cheap) but what a difference - can use year round now, it's lovely. So definitely consider your options - proper roof makes a real difference!

Furts

Babbawah wrote: »

A sunroom or Orangery (call it what you will) however should provide much more usable comfort. If you get a local builder in to do the job it really shouldn't cost much more than a similar sized conservatory from the rob dogging rip off's with shiny brochures !

My post above was for a £9000 conservatory - that was what the customer wanted. A year or so back I did a sun room with fancy ceiling, numerous lights, slate effect floor, and two velux light shafts. It was all done on a tight budget, but it is around 75% bigger than the £9000 conservatory. It is noteworthy for this sun room cost under £10000 - far better value for money in terms of floor area, but a completely different style of room and living.

I prefer the conservatory as a source of light, airiness and garden feel. I prefer the sunroom for being an extension that is properly built, long lasting, properly heated and properly insulated.

From a money saving perspective, which is the purpose of this Forum, it is a no brainer. The sun room would win hands down because it is cheap. An equivalent conservatory would have been an extravagence.

"You pay your money and you take your choice"

Araboo27

Thank you all, you've provided fab advice :-)

Maybe I should have specified the reason for getting the conservatory, I was a bit short on time before and it slipped my mind. I'm very much involved with dogs and am planning a litter of pups within the next couple of years. Now, I've had one litter before (to get my current show dog) and did it all in the dining room...this took over the entire space and we ate meals in the living room for two months!

The need for temperature control is paramount, my breed don't tolerate extremes and ideally it needs to be kept at a fairly constant temp year round.

We've never had a conservatory before and from what you've all said, it sounds a pretty awful idea and not the best solution for my needs!

Back to the drawing board...

xyz123

bossymoo wrote: »

We bought a house with a conservatory, wasn't that useable as too cold in winter and too hot in summer. Last year I had a "supalite" roof fitted (not cheap) but what a difference - can use year round now, it's lovely. So definitely consider your options - proper roof makes a real difference!

Hi, if u don't mind me asking , how much did the new roof cost? Ta