Self build Conservatory advice please

dubwarrior2

I've decided that with the onset of xmas and little Phoebe receiving a stack of toys, I may have to look to building a conservatory on the back of the house.
I really don't want to fork out a lot of money for this and am looking to do as much as I can myself.
I'm fairly handy being an ex kitchen fitter and mechanic and it all looks to be fairly easy (famous last words) its just the base and foundations that I am a bit unsure about.
I'll be building one about 3 metres square (very roughly) with a dwarf wall all round. I've been advised to build the foundations about 450mm wide by 450mm deep to cater for a cavity wall (50mm cavity).
I am just not sure where I need the tops of the footings to be.
Looking at the house, the DPC is two courses up from floor level, so could the footing level be level with the floor or should it be 3 courses down from the DPC?
Next question - When the footings and wall have been built waht is the best way of doing the floor?
I have read that I should do hardcore, then sand, then DPC then concrete. Is this correct? When they say concrete, do they mean screed? Also, would you advise to use foam insulation under the floor?
Lot of questions I know, but want to get it right.
Lastly, I have been thinking of buying the conservatory itself from WICKES anybody used one before and got any experiences?

maytaurus

this may be of use; :rudolf:
http://www.tradeconservatories2u.co.uk/building_and_construction.php

ormus

http://www.ezebuilder.com/ezebase1.html

there is an alternative to traditional concrete bases.
worth a look.

27col

I built a conservatory for my son. We bought a kit from Baltic Pine(Cornwall) I think. It was very cheap, we thought. The kit was excellent, no shortages. In fact a surplus of components. We used one of the steel conservatory bases, supplied via Baltic Pine. It made the job very easy. Part of the base overhung the old patio but the rest was over the lawn. All we had to do was to dig a hole where the leg was going to be, and fill it with concrete.The only drawback was that the conservatory had to be painted. We made a slight mistake with some of the roof timbers and some of the plastic panels would not fit. We asked the Co. to supply new ones cut to fit our mistake, and they sent them in 2 days free of charge. Brilliant service.Give them a ring or visit their web site.

PasturesNew

What about planning permission?
Is it required for your house for this size?

PasturesNew

27col wrote: »

Baltic Pine(Cornwall)

There was a big hoo-hah this year about this company when the owner closed it down, owing all the staff wages.

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/display.var.955840.0.jobs_shock_at_baltic_pine.php

27col

Seems a shame. Its hard to know what is going on.I thought that they had a winning formula there. Still, what do I know!
I think that you don't need Planning permission for the conservatory if it doesn't increase the area of the house by more than 10%. I am sure someone out there knows for certain.

flea72

rules vary on whether you need planning permission. usually, if the conservatory is less than 3m sq, and there have been no other extensions to the property already, then you wont need planning permission. however, if the conservatory is within 5m of an existing building not attached to the property (ie garage, brick outhouse), then you will need planning permission.

self-build conservatory companies, arent usually interested in sorting out the planning side of things, so its best if you check with your local planning dept, on what their criteria area. however, you may find that you need building reg approval, even if you dont need planning approval

flea