Replacing conservatory

goodwithsaving

Soon I will have a lean to conservatory which has life left and is in good condition, but at a previous house I had a lovely conservatory with a dwarf wall and gabled roof. 
I appreciate the complexity of the build will be a large factor, but is it generally quite a bit cheaper to replace a conservatory, than if it were going in from new? (Given the ground will be prepared etc.). I would prefer one with a wall, than floor to ceiling upvc as per the existing structure.
It's 7m long (wide) by 3.5 metres deep, so not small.

Rosa_Damascena

It will be much cheaper on the grounds that you won't need decent foundations. If you think you will ever want to replace with a double-storey extension in time and money isn't a dictating factor (which I guess it will be if you are moving) then I'd build solid 600m width foundation now in prep (depth likely to be at least 1.2mm, could be deeper depending on the condition of the soil). Prices are going crazy atm and I can only see labour getting more costly over time. But be warned you are looking at tens of thousands.

Davesnave

That sort of UPVC superstructure and glass would be somewhere between £15 and £20k depending on quality and your negotiation skills. November to January is a good time!

Whether you could put dwarf walls on a strip foundation that wasn't built for them might be an issue, as conservatory companies rarely overspecify anything. You'd need to expose the foundations and get an opinion then I think.

Doozergirl

Rosa_Damascena said:

It will be much cheaper on the grounds that you won't need decent foundations. If you think you will ever want to replace with a double-storey extension in time and money isn't a dictating factor (which I guess it will be if you are moving) then I'd build solid 600m width foundation now in prep (depth likely to be at least 1.2mm, could be deeper depending on the condition of the soil). Prices are going crazy atm and I can only see labour getting more costly over time. But be warned you are looking at tens of thousands.

Every building needs proper foundations.  Whether people choose to do it or not is a different matter.   Conservatories aren't generally built on proper foundations and that is why they are cheaper than an extension. 

The required foundations for two storey are exactly the same as those for single storey.  The weight of the structure (ie. number of storeys) matters relatively little with a domestic build, the primary purpose is to hit solid ground that is not likely to move - at least a metre down for any building that you feel is worth investing in for longevity.   

gozaimasu

I am also thinking of replacing my convervatory because the flashing is leaking, the glass is misted, the polycarbonate is discoloured and the black foam strip (forgive my lack of terminology) between the glass and the uPVC frame is coming out. I think it was built in 2006. Plan is to keep the existing brick structure and just replace the glass and roof which should be around £8k for 3x3m? Some of the brickwork needs repointing so that the ants can't get in! I can't decide between and solid and glass roof though. I like to have lots of light come in from above and feel like I'm sitting out in the garden when I can't actually sit out because it's raining or too cold.

I'd like to ring round some builders asap to arrange site visits for a quote but will they get annoyed at me for ringing on a Sunday?! What do the companies do with the floor inside? It's currently a horribly worn carpet.

Rosa_Damascena

Doozergirl said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

It will be much cheaper on the grounds that you won't need decent foundations. If you think you will ever want to replace with a double-storey extension in time and money isn't a dictating factor (which I guess it will be if you are moving) then I'd build solid 600m width foundation now in prep (depth likely to be at least 1.2mm, could be deeper depending on the condition of the soil). Prices are going crazy atm and I can only see labour getting more costly over time. But be warned you are looking at tens of thousands.

Every building needs proper foundations.  Whether people choose to do it or not is a different matter.   Conservatories aren't generally built on proper foundations and that is why they are cheaper than an extension. 

The required foundations for two storey are exactly the same as those for single storey.  The weight of the structure (ie. number of storeys) matters relatively little with a domestic build, the primary purpose is to hit solid ground that is not likely to move - at least a metre down for any building that you feel is worth investing in for longevity.   

That is news to me. For an existing wall erected c2000, can it be assumed that the foundations are adequate for an additional storey? (Builders have only just gone and I am getting the bug again).

Davesnave

gozaimasu said:

I am also thinking of replacing my convervatory because the flashing is leaking, the glass is misted, the polycarbonate is discoloured and the black foam strip (forgive my lack of terminology) between the glass and the uPVC frame is coming out. I think it was built in 2006. Plan is to keep the existing brick structure and just replace the glass and roof which should be around £8k for 3x3m? Some of the brickwork needs repointing so that the ants can't get in! I can't decide between and solid and glass roof though. I like to have lots of light come in from above and feel like I'm sitting out in the garden when I can't actually sit out because it's raining or too cold.

I'd like to ring round some builders asap to arrange site visits for a quote but will they get annoyed at me for ringing on a Sunday?! What do the companies do with the floor inside? It's currently a horribly worn carpet.

No one will get annoyed if they are answering their business phone on a Sunday and want your custom!

A solid roof would have implications that go to the foundations, unless you go for one of the lightweight ones that aren't really that solid or real tiles/slates. Also, you'd have to consider what effect the loss of light would have in the room behind.

I'm sure the floor isn't carpet! It will usually be either concrete or tiled-over concrete and how it's treated is up to you. Tiles would be my choice, but if the floor is really dry, other options like laminate and similar become possible.

Davesnave

Rosa_Damascena said:

Doozergirl said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

It will be much cheaper on the grounds that you won't need decent foundations. If you think you will ever want to replace with a double-storey extension in time and money isn't a dictating factor (which I guess it will be if you are moving) then I'd build solid 600m width foundation now in prep (depth likely to be at least 1.2mm, could be deeper depending on the condition of the soil). Prices are going crazy atm and I can only see labour getting more costly over time. But be warned you are looking at tens of thousands.

Every building needs proper foundations.  Whether people choose to do it or not is a different matter.   Conservatories aren't generally built on proper foundations and that is why they are cheaper than an extension. 

The required foundations for two storey are exactly the same as those for single storey.  The weight of the structure (ie. number of storeys) matters relatively little with a domestic build, the primary purpose is to hit solid ground that is not likely to move - at least a metre down for any building that you feel is worth investing in for longevity.   

That is news to me. For an existing wall erected c2000, can it be assumed that the foundations are adequate for an additional storey? (Builders have only just gone and I am getting the bug again).

Your building regs plans may show the depth of foundation planned. It would only be less if something like bed rock was encountered (like we had on a job I was loosely involved with in 2010...about a foot down!)

Doozergirl

Rosa_Damascena said:

Doozergirl said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

It will be much cheaper on the grounds that you won't need decent foundations. If you think you will ever want to replace with a double-storey extension in time and money isn't a dictating factor (which I guess it will be if you are moving) then I'd build solid 600m width foundation now in prep (depth likely to be at least 1.2mm, could be deeper depending on the condition of the soil). Prices are going crazy atm and I can only see labour getting more costly over time. But be warned you are looking at tens of thousands.

Every building needs proper foundations.  Whether people choose to do it or not is a different matter.   Conservatories aren't generally built on proper foundations and that is why they are cheaper than an extension. 

The required foundations for two storey are exactly the same as those for single storey.  The weight of the structure (ie. number of storeys) matters relatively little with a domestic build, the primary purpose is to hit solid ground that is not likely to move - at least a metre down for any building that you feel is worth investing in for longevity.   

That is news to me. For an existing wall erected c2000, can it be assumed that the foundations are adequate for an additional storey? (Builders have only just gone and I am getting the bug again).

Yes.          .

FreeBear

Davesnave said: No one will get annoyed if they are answering their business phone on a Sunday and want your custom!

But if it is a call centre and/or an 0800 number, you can certain that any price they give will be well over the odds and no guarantee that you'll get a quality install - Someone has to pay for the salesman's bonus and all the corporate junkets. Don't be that one.

Wait until Monday before picking up the phone.

Davesnave

FreeBear said:

Davesnave said: No one will get annoyed if they are answering their business phone on a Sunday and want your custom!

But if it is a call centre and/or an 0800 number, you can certain that any price they give will be well over the odds and no guarantee that you'll get a quality install - Someone has to pay for the salesman's bonus and all the corporate junkets. Don't be that one.

Wait until Monday before picking up the phone.

I imagined it would be a local builder, like the ones I use. Mind you, they don't answer their phone half the time on weekdays either!