Small single storey extension

k4kate

Hi there everyone - this is my first post on here so any advice/comments will be appreciated!

We are planning on having a small single storey extension built on the back of our bungalow to replace an existing conservatory that backs onto the lounge. We have asked for quotes based on a 4 x 2.5m extension with a shallow pitch roof (will have to be tied in with existing bungalow roof), one solid wall, one wall with a window and the back wall onto the garden having sliding folding doors. The existing picture window and door in the lounge will also need to be removed so that the lounge flows into the extension to make a good sized lounge-dining room.

We were expecting the quotes to come in at about £10k given the overall size of the extension but so far we have had £15k and £18k and we are waiting for a third quote. Are we expecting too much or are these prices about right?

Thanks!

lapat

no you are about right in your thinking....

dont just bank on the three quotes go for 5 or 6

woodbutcher_2

10sq mts at roughly 1000 per sq mt.£10,000 should do it i reckon.

k4kate

Thanks Lapat and Woodbutcher . At least I know I'm not going mad now!

Does anyone on here have any recommendations for builders in the Warwickshire area?

Dick_here

This sounds exactly like our set-up and we've been considering something similar. Have you considered a modern conservatory instead (I assume your current one is a ramshackle affair like ours !), or would that be pricier ? Over 10k sounds enough to stop us going ahead with an extension though !

k4kate

Hi !!!!!!. Yes we did think about this. The dwarf wall is surprisingly good but the rest of the conservatory is a ramshackle affair as you describe - wood with glass and then a lean to polycarbonate roof. It leaks and is unbearably hot in the summer (south facing and no roof blinds!).

We did get some quotes around the £5 to £6k mark for having a posh glass galleried roof and apparently the insulation is much better on these (but I have never experienced one). However, we were worried about falling foul of building regs as I think a conservatory has to be kept separate from the main house and we wanted the room to flow through from the lounge.

We did wonder whether having a flat roof would save money - not as attractive but the idea of changing one of the velux windows in the loft conversion into a door so we could use the roof as a sun terrace sounds pretty cool :cool: !

Dick_here

k4kate wrote: »

Hi !!!!!!. Yes we did think about this. The dwarf wall is surprisingly good but the rest of the conservatory is a ramshackle affair as you describe - wood with glass and then a lean to polycarbonate roof. It leaks and is unbearably hot in the summer (south facing and no roof blinds!).

You've got a wall ! Ours is wood from ground level...

We did get some quotes around the £5 to £6k mark for having a posh glass galleried roof and apparently the insulation is much better on these (but I have never experienced one). However, we were worried about falling foul of building regs as I think a conservatory has to be kept separate from the main house and we wanted the room to flow through from the lounge.

I didn't realise that. Our bedroom is at the back, we were thinking we'd have that wall taken out (and move radiators that are on both sides of it) and either put in a sliding patio door to the extension/conservatory or swap the lounge with the bedroom and leave it open to extend the lounge. You're saying the latter wouldn't be allowed if it was a conservatory ?

We did wonder whether having a flat roof would save money - not as attractive but the idea of changing one of the velux windows in the loft conversion into a door so we could use the roof as a sun terrace sounds pretty cool :cool: !

Sounds good ! :beer:

k4kate

Well your conservatory sounds worse than ours then!

I don't know how you do that paraphrase bit where you quote other peoples posts but my understanding is that yes there does have to be something separating the conservatory from the rest of the house. I would check with your local council but if you google "conservatory building regs" it comes up with a few bits and bobs.

I don't think you are supposed to have "permanent" heating in there either; if it has a radiator it has to be able to be completely switched off. Ours has a standard radiator that we had fitted when we had a new boiler so we are a bit naughty! I think it is all to do with energy efficiency.

None of these things are likely to cause you a problem until it comes to selling the house :rolleyes:

Glad you like the sun terrace idea, it is definitely growing on me and apparently you can get flat roofing systems with 30 year guarantees now!

Dick_here

k4kate wrote: »

Well your conservatory sounds worse than ours then!

More of a large lean-to than a conservatory actually !

I don't know how you do that paraphrase bit where you quote other peoples posts

Nor me

but my understanding is that yes there does have to be something separating the conservatory from the rest of the house. I would check with your local council but if you google "conservatory building regs" it comes up with a few bits and bobs.

Thanks, I'll do that.

I don't think you are supposed to have "permanent" heating in there either; if it has a radiator it has to be able to be completely switched off. Ours has a standard radiator that we had fitted when we had a new boiler so we are a bit naughty! I think it is all to do with energy efficiency.

Our radiator was already there, that's our excuse then.

None of these things are likely to cause you a problem until it comes to selling the house :rolleyes:

A long time in our case then :T

Glad you like the sun terrace idea, it is definitely growing on me and apparently you can get flat roofing systems with 30 year guarantees now!

You'll have to provide pictures for me

woodbutcher_2

Just a couple of things worth considering.Yes you do need to keep a door between conny and house to avoid building regs but plenty of people just don't bother with one,putting one in if they decide to move.

The other thing to consider is that sun terraces nearly always need permission as they generally overlook other properties.

One more thing to consider is if you do decide to have a glazed conny instead of extension,then glass technology has come a long way with tinted coated "k" glass keeping conny's a lot cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.