Conservatory advice- local or national firm?

fozzeh

We are moving house and will be needing a conservatory/orangery type construction.

We have spent the afternoon trying to look at consevatory outlets to get an idea of what kind of things we like... however it's proven fruitless- majority seem to be closed or impossible to find!

I'm wondering what is recommended- do we go for a big company like Everest and use one of their franchises? Or is it best to use a local firm?

Having never had a conservatory before I don't know what is best.

We are in Sandbach, Cheshire.

Silver-Surfer_2

Why do you need one?

Maybe you should consider an extension or buy a house suitable for your needs.

fozzeh

Because we do.

So, anyway, any proper responses as to whether to go for local or national? any experiences?

Silver-Surfer_2

From experience a local builder on personal recommendation for a proper extension.

EssexExile

In my experience a long established local firm who specialises in what you want would be best. We've just had all new windows & some building work done, one local glazing company seemed to know what they were talking about with the windows but gave the impression they'd make up the building bit as they went along. The one we went with is experienced both in glazing & building extensions, also we knew some people who had used them before. Ask around for recommendations.

FOREVER21

I would ( and did) go to a small independent company, make sure you get details of their past work to check reliability.

However have you seen the ads" Is your conservatory too hot in summer and too cold in winter?".

Believe me they are, even with numerous windows, blinds and a fan, ours is often uncomfortable hot.

If I was planning things now I would opt for a garden room rather than a conservatory. Yes they take longer to build and cost a bit more but to my mind you get all the benefits of a conservatory but with the added advantage of a room you can use all year .
Also no noise from roof during heavy rain!

xyz123

Local firms are far better than national ones. I hope u r used to living with a conservatory as many people build one thinking to use it year around but in reality they always get too warm or too cold...

Davesnave

As you've discovered, some people on here are inclined to rubbish conservatories without knowing details of their construction, orientation or the other crucial factor, which is what building a solid-roofed garden room might do to light levels in the room behind.

Garden rooms are great, but they can compromise light levels elsewhere, and as they cost more to start with, overcoming that problem can put them out of budget.

We're currently replacing a conservatory with another, having lived with the previous one for 7 years. Like the old one, the new conservatory will face south, so we've had to give particular attention to ventilation and the type of glazing, but this is no big deal. We've no illusions about using the space 365 days of the year, but I know we'll get plenty of use out of it and our living room will stay bright.

Likewise, our builder has just completed a replacement conservatory. He lives in a huge, thick-walled farmhouse which needs every bit of light it can get. As he has the skills, the option to build a garden room was there, but he chose to stick with a conservatory. For him, lack of space or the need for somewhere to act as a dining room were of no relevance. Like us, he's aware that it isn't a 24/7 365 day space.

The builder recommended two local companies, both established well over 25 years, and we chose the one which offered us the best deal. We were not interested in the nationals, who are generally to be avoided. Others will back me on that point at least. There are usually established local companies with a track record and examples of teir work, testimonials etc.

We found negotiating in the slack time of January to be very worthwhile when comparing the price and spec of our conservatory with others, but regardless of the date, negotiate hard. The sales person's first and second price won't be the best they can do, not by a long way!

SuzieSue

Davesnave wrote: »

We've no illusions about using the space 365 days of the year, but I know we'll get plenty of use out of it and our living room will stay bright.

Exactly, I wouldn't be without my conservatory but I don't need the extra space and I know that I can only used in part of the year.

DRP

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Why do you need one?

Maybe you should consider an extension or buy a house suitable for your needs.

^yeah this

If it is for extra space to use as you use other parts of the house , then i wouldn't recommend a conservatory.

The setup/layout is important as regulations require an external-grade door to any conservatory. This is fine if it located on the side of your house as a pleasant occasional room, but in a semi/terrace, a rear conservatory may effectively create a barrier between the rear of the house and the garden (this was the setup in my terraced, until we knocked it all down and got an extension built).

Furts

SuzieSue wrote: »

Exactly, I wouldn't be without my conservatory but I don't need the extra space and I know that I can only used in part of the year.

I arranged a conservatory for a family member recently. I am not a fan of conservatories, but I also accept this one has worked out very well and is an asset to the home. It was a quick, cheap, way of adding floor space, and with careful design, and careful thought, a conservatory can be leagues better than many people imagine.

This one is north facing - never a good idea but that is the orientation of the home. It does not freeze in winter, nor does it over heat in summer. It is usable all year round and the heating requirement is a 700W oil filled radiator on a thermostat. I am told this was not switched on until early December last winter, which is an indication of what can be achieved with thoughtful design. However therein lies the problem - most conservatory designers, and installers, are abysmal at design, at thermal efficiency and at achieving a really functional product.

The added bonus is the build costs have probably been recouped at least three times over with an increase on the value of the home.