Conservatory/extension cost

bambos

We are having part conservatory part extension done.
4 1/2 meters wide 3m projection
Two solid walls either side with four small double glazed windows at the top.
Two dwarf walls at the front with sliding patio doors.
Knock through to the kitchen and make good
A rated glass
Activ blue glass roof
Cut through glass for wood burning stove

£13,500

We had a cheaper quote for £8,000 but that was using c rated glass, polycarbonate roof and blanking panels either side instead of solid wall and that's not what we wanted as its going to be open plan.

Davesnave

Will this meet building regs? I don't see any mention of an exterior grade door between the main house and this extension, which is still a conservatory despite the large wall area.

phill99

You need to get other quotes based on the specification you require.

bambos

Hi, thanks for the replies. The extension IS subject to planning and we will need to apply for this costing £175 from our LA.

There is no door between house and extension just open plan.

System

bambos wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the replies. The extension IS subject to planning and we will need to apply for this costing £175 from our LA.

There is no door between house and extension just open plan.

Planning and building regs are two entirely separate things and it doesn't follow that something with planning permission meets regulations.

You normally have to have an external grade door between a house and conservatory, if you don't have this you would have to provide a calculation to show compliance with the regs.

The only way you can compare any prices is to get comparable quotes, you need to set a base specification and ask companies to quote, comparing different constructions/glazing/roof types etc just means you have no real idea whether you are getting value for money as each item is completely different..

bambos

Thanks all, our builder said that building regs will be sought and states that ours is similar to three others in our street so should be fine.

Had another quote today from Anglian Home Improvments £28,000 with their 'special discount' today only £24,000 :eek:

glasgowdan

I don't understand how anyone can trust the national firms like anglian that apparently overprice then offer huge discounts. It's wholly wrong!

Davesnave

glasgowdan wrote: »

I don't understand how anyone can trust the national firms like anglian that apparently overprice then offer huge discounts. It's wholly wrong!

Whether it's wrong or not I'm unsure. It's a sales method which works for them. It's the big brand image that gullible people trust because of expensive advertising....which has to be paid for by.....gullible people! They think they're getting something special and if it makes them feel good....

OTOH even small firms will offer discounts when pressed. You just have to fight them harder. When I played hardball back in January with the one we'd chosen, I knew I was negotiating in one of their worst months. Others nearby clearly didn't think about that.

I must've acted the grumpy, distrusting customer really well, because, before leaving, the salesman couldn't resist showing me the deal he'd just done in the next village, which was for a conservatory half the size & complexity at almost the same price. A very silly thing to do, as everyone knows everyone around here! :rotfl:

bambos

We finally decided after many a company quoting, on the first company we approached. We have seen them construct two conservatories opposite our house which have now been up for 18 months and seem to be weathering well!

I negotiated with them hard as we are on a budget and they started at £13,500 but I managed to get them to include rerouting the guttering on the right hand neighbours adjacent building which is complex, plastering, digging back a further meter into the raise lawn and building two retaining walls and steps and finally the cost of fitting our new front door all for £12,500!!! I'm very pleased.

In addition when I approached planning they said we are only subject to building regs and do t need planning so another £175 saved.

Starting on Monday 6th June.

Ktaylor86

Out of interest, which company did you end up going with? Was it a small local one to you?
We might look to get something similar in the future, so keep us updated on how it goes!

Good luck with renovations!

bambos

Ktaylor86 wrote: »

Out of interest, which company did you end up going with? Was it a small local one to you?
We might look to get something similar in the future, so keep us updated on how it goes!

Good luck with renovations!

Yes we chose a small local company called Eco Smart Fit. They offered us the best value for money as they use A-Rated Glass and as we have seen their building team put up two conservatories locally we were impressed by the quality and efficiency of the builders.

Will keep you all posted on the build, come the 6th June it's all go with this being the major project, kitchen, bathroom, decorating hallway, stairs and landing and having the front garden ripped apart :eek: whilst living in the house with DH, dd9 & ds5. The only one that's gets out of the drama is the dog who's off to my mums!