Conservatory - what do I need to know???

familyof4_3

Hey all,

Posted this on the local Glagow board but didn't get a bite so thought I might get more luck here....

I'm looking to get a conservatory build but with all the horror stories I'm nervous about contacting companies.

I've seen quotes in newspapers for £7-10k but my mate called one of these chaps out & they tried really hard to sell him one at £25k (and that was for a new build house where they didn't have to rip up the patio/garden first). Obviously don't want to be ripped off but i know you only get what you pay for.

I'm looking for recommendations, who did you use? were you happy with the quality? If you had any problems were they easily resolved or not?

What should I be looking for when I do get someone round to quote & what questions should i ask?


All help appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

peediedj

i bought mine from conservatoryland for £5k,getting a local builder to build it for £3k and get materials thru work for 32k max,so bigger saving than the quotes i had between £15-21 k

McAzrael

Get recommendations from friends and families (you probably know this one) and consider using a builder rather than a conservatory company. The windows and roof are the easy bit. The groundworks, walls, screeding, plastering, electrics and heating are the domain of a small works builder.

George&Ade

We were on a very tight budget and bought our small georgian conservatory second hand.
My neighbour (who is a builder) came with me to dismantle it and transport it back to my house.
He did the base,erected the conservatory,electrics etc and charged me £1,200.
The consevatory was advertised for £1600 ono. and we managed to knock him down to £1,100.
A total of £2,300
Bargain:beer:

familyof4_3

Thanks all. I didn't think of approaching a builder so I'll defo be doing that. Still not sure of what I should be looking out for but I guess I'll sus that out after I've met a few people & got a few ideas from the companies.

Will let you know how it goes.......

nelly_2

where do you live?

familyof4_3

nelly wrote: »

where do you live?

Maryhill area.

sarah_elton

In England (not sure about Scotland), you have to get Building Regs approval from the council if the conservatory is open plan - i.e. if you knock out a wall and have an open plan entrance.

So long as you keep a door between the house and conservatory you don't.

I don't know if the same applies in Scotland but something you might want to check depending on your plans.

liitleblackcat

And you may need planning permission. For Scotland check out details at http://www.conservatoriesonline.com/planperm_scotland.htm

In Scotland you don't need a building warrant as long as the conservatory:
Is unheated;
Is under 8 square metres and attached to an existing dwelling house which is not a flat or a maisonette;
Is located a minimum of 1 metre from any boundary or does not contain a combustion appliance with a flue;
Does not contain sanitary accommodation;
Is not situated on land within the boundaries of which there are harmful or dangerous substances;
Has a door between the conservatory and the dwelling house.

peediedj

liitleblackcat wrote: »

And you may need planning permission. For Scotland check out details at http://www.conservatoriesonline.com/planperm_scotland.htm

In Scotland you don't need a building warrant as long as the conservatory:
Is unheated;
Is under 8 square metres and attached to an existing dwelling house which is not a flat or a maisonette;
Is located a minimum of 1 metre from any boundary or does not contain a combustion appliance with a flue;
Does not contain sanitary accommodation;
Is not situated on land within the boundaries of which there are harmful or dangerous substances;
Has a door between the conservatory and the dwelling house.

my compliers with all of above and i still needed a building warrant

liitleblackcat

peediedj wrote: »

my compliers with all of above and i still needed a building warrant

Did the building inspector tell you why you needed a warrant?