DIY CONSERVATORIES and DURABASE BASES

JeNjEn_3

We need to replace our falling down conservatory and were thinking of getting a DIY one to save on cost from somewhere like Blatic Pine,Screwfix or B and Q.

Does anyone have any experience of fitting them , is it easy? Can anyone recommend anywhere?

Also it seems that it would be the base and the dwarf wall that would be the difficult bit, but I have seen something called durabase, which is basically a steel frame for the base with prefabricated dwarf falls which can be installed with no foundation requirements within a day. Has anyone ever heard of these being used and any ideas on how much they cost? They look like the answer to a multitude of hassles to me !!!

Many thanks

plumb1_2

http://www.durabase.co.uk/index.htm

pvsol

I Live in stockport, Cheshire and am looking to do the same as jenjen, so I would be grateful for any advice, does anyone know if there are huge variations in quality on the diy conservatories? That Durabase system looks fantastic, is it expensive does anyone know?

DLR_3

I'm based in London and also considering installing a DIY conservatory and using the durabase system. Have any of you found it simple to do and was it expensive. Thanks

danm

I have used a similar system made by ROC Wales

https://www.rocwales.co.uk

i had the base only, as i was using full height glass panes with no dwarf wall. Extremely easy to install. Think total cost of 3x3 meter and steel base was approx £2200 (but i think they have special offer at the time)

base came in sections which bolted together and then leveled using adjustable legs. Bolted into house wall with expandable bolts. Panes fitted easily onto main exterior frame of base with the cross lengths of steel acting as 'joists' for any flooring

oldandhappy

I would say you would need a fair bit of general DIY experience and a few extra helpers would make a difference. B & Q have 15% off there conservatories at the moment as well and if an over 60's card is in your reach and extra 10% off on Wednesdays............... Mrs Happy

HugoSP

I can speak from experience on conservatories and bases.

We fitted a full height conservatory some years ago on a previous house. We were offered a base to fit the conservatory, but found that a builder (next door neighbour) could build the whole base, and help me set and fix the UPVC sill (for the interlocking panels) for less than it would have cost me to buy the steel base!

Hence, I found that the project could achieve more progression for less cash. The steel base at £600 would have entailed my filling in around with bricks or blocks etc, whereas for £540 I got the following done:

Footings dug to 18 inches and concreted.
Block wall built up to level of sill. As the garden was on two levels this meant building some 4 feet of wall on one side.
Assistance with setting of sill and fixing to top of wall.
Concreting and screeding of floor, and rendering of outside of base once conservatory was built. He came back to do these jobs when we had finished erecting the conservatory.

OK, so labour costs have probably doubled since, but steel and manufacturing costs have also risen.

What I am saying is don't assume the non DIY route for this would be more.

DLR_3

danm wrote:

I have used a similar system made by ROC Wales

https://www.rocwales.co.uk

i had the base only, as i was using full height glass panes with no dwarf wall. Extremely easy to install. Think total cost of 3x3 meter and steel base was approx £2200 (but i think they have special offer at the time)

base came in sections which bolted together and then leveled using adjustable legs. Bolted into house wall with expandable bolts. Panes fitted easily onto main exterior frame of base with the cross lengths of steel acting as 'joists' for any flooring

Thanks for the info very helpful. Will get in contact with them.

deanos

This may help, my experience from a year ago, with pics included

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=85379

Ragdoll69

danm wrote: »

I have used a similar system made by ROC Wales

www.rocwales.co.uk

i had the base only, as i was using full height glass panes with no dwarf wall. Extremely easy to install. Think total cost of 3x3 meter and steel base was approx £2200 (but i think they have special offer at the time)

base came in sections which bolted together and then leveled using adjustable legs. Bolted into house wall with expandable bolts. Panes fitted easily onto main exterior frame of base with the cross lengths of steel acting as 'joists' for any flooring

Im sorry but I wouldnt recommend Roc Wales Ltd to anyone :mad:
I orderd off them in March once he has your money he wont answer emails or phone calls, you only get wall and base. I have been on blagger.com and he has done his to quite a few people

Dylstardelux

I've just come across this thread and I'm surprised to read you've had a bad experience with this company, both my friend (who recommended them to me) and myself received excellent service, product and aftersales. May I ask, have you resolved your issue? (Just so I know before I recommend them to anyone else?) Thanks