What to do first for getting conservatory replaced!

JG54

Hi all!
I am seeking for some advice on what to do first. My idea was to get my existing Victorian style Conny 3x2.5m which is attached to my kitchen replaced with a new box  one which would go 4x3m, two side glass and one side solid wall with solid light tiled roof.

Do I get a structural engineer in first to check what is possible who draws the plans and submits the building permission or should I get a builder in and go by what they say?

JG54

From this

To this

Rosa_Damascena

I'd start with a builder as the size you are replacing it with is within permitted development. If it's a proper roof and skylights you'll want a structural engineer, not necessary for an ordinary conservatory.

Why don't you seek advice from a conservatory company? They will be a mine of information if you can resist the hard sell.

andre_xs

The second one might be considered an extension, not a conservatory. For a conservatory, a certain amount of walls and ceilings has to be glass/transparent. IIRC other rules/regulations apply for an extension as compared to a conservatory

Phil4432

Get an extension instead.  Or budget for another conservatory in a decade or less.

FreeBear

andre_xs said: The second one might would be considered an extension, not a conservatory. For a conservatory, a certain amount of walls and ceilings has to be glass/transparent. IIRC other rules/regulations apply for an extension as compared to a conservatory

A conservatory needs to be separated from the main house by exterior grade doors, and if heated, the heating needs to be independent from the house. As an extension, building regulations kick in and set minimum requirements for insulation (walls, floor, & roof) & thermal properties for the glazing. Foundations also need to be up to standard which most conservatories are not. Conservatories are (comparatively) cheap for a reason. A well constructed extension will often add value to a property and can be used year round.

JG54

Thanks FreeBear.
Does it matter that my existing conni is attached to my kitchen which is an extension? Does that mean the conny per se is not attached to the main building since the kitchen is an extension? Also if one has underfloor electric heating in the conny would that be against the regulations?
Majority of the conni would be glass taking into account lean to roof with half of it glass and 4m(wide) x 2.5(length) one of the 2.5 m wall will be solid. 
We will engage with a structural engineer/ architect and find out  if we need planning permission first to get us covered. 
The second photo is just what I would like the new conni to look like in shape.    

Davesnave

Rosa_Damascena said:

Why don't you seek advice from a conservatory company? They will be a mine of information if you can resist the hard sell.

Mainly because as an industry they're full of sharks who care little for things like Building Regs, assuming they know what they are!

Your first idea of finding a trusted builder was better.

JG54

Davesnave - would a builder be better than a structural engineer/ architect? At this point in time I do not have any proper drawings with measurements yet besides my own how I want it to be.

Davesnave

For a simple extension you wouldn't necessarily need a full blown architect; an architectural technician might be OK for the plans, and a good builder might know one. If things like supporting beams or RSJs are involved, you'd need a structural engineer to do the calculations/specs for that. The main problem I foresee if you're contemplating lots of glass in an extension, distinct from a conservatory,  is ensuring the u values meet building regs. Someone else may be able to give you better advice than me, as I've only done a bog standard extension with relatively little glass.

Doozergirl

Davesnave said:

For a simple extension you wouldn't necessarily need a full blown architect; an architectural technician might be OK for the plans, and a good builder might know one. If things like supporting beams or RSJs are involved, you'd need a structural engineer to do the calculations/specs for that. The main problem I foresee if you're contemplating lots of glass in an extension, distinct from a conservatory,  is ensuring the u values meet building regs. Someone else may be able to give you better advice than me, as I've only done a bog standard extension with relatively little glass.

...if glazing is equivalent to more than 25% of the floor space of an extension then SAP calculations are
needed to prove that the house (overall) will
comply with the regulations on energy
efficiency. 

OP if your conservatory is open to the kitchen then it is a glazed extension, not a conservatory, and should meet the building regulations for an extension.   Our buyers lost two sales because they opened the conservatory to the house.  I'm not sure why they didn't put doors on the thing before selling the house for the second time, but third time lucky for them,
hopefully.  

Do not expect any kind of knowledge of the building regulations from conservatory 'specialists'.  In this instance, the specialism isn't about having a broad knowledge and choosing to hone in on one thing, it is only knowing about one thing.