Conservatory Cost

How Much Is a Conservatory?

Why even have a conservatory in the first place?

In most cases, homeowners like the idea of adding an extra space to their home, that allows them to take in the views of their garden, or nice scenery in general.

A new conservatory offers a quiet, peaceful and relaxing space in which to enjoy your time.

Let's get straight to it.

The price of a conservatory installation will vary depending on the material you use, as well as the type and size of your conservatory.

Let's consider materials first:

You should expect the average wood conservatory to cost around £30,000. Other options include a uPVC conservatory, which is typically priced at £13,950 to £26,650, while aluminium conservatories range in price from £17,437 to £33,312.

So let's get down to the details...

If you're ready to get a quote for your new conservatory, we can help connect you with local conservatory specialists.

There are many benefits to having a conservatory, such as letting in a lot more natural light, expanding your views, and many more besides...

Conservatory Prices

What are the Additional Costs of a Conservatory?

There are various other costs you need to consider when installing a conservatory.

Let's dive into them.

Extensive Conservatory Groundwork Costs

Before building a conservatory, it is important that the ground is fully prepared to support the new build.

This could include excavation. This involves digging up and levelling the ground to ensure it is secure. Normally, excavation costs around £30 to £50 per cubic metres to fully prepare the ground.

You may also need to check that you have proper drainage in place that is connected to the main water supply.

And if you don't?

You may have to pay for drainage installation. This requires a lot of digging and the installation of pipework. This will normally cost between £550 and £1800.

Conservatory Planning Permission Costs

To adhere to planning permission regulations, you need to make sure that your conservatory doesn't:

• Cover more than half the area of the existing property.
• Extend any higher than the tallest part of your property’s roof or eaves.
• Extend more than four metres beyond the rear wall of your home.
• Include any raised platforms or alterations to the existing roof.

Here are two further restrictions you should also know about:

• If you plan to install your conservatory within two metres of the property boundary, then the height of the eaves must not exceed three metres.
• The conservatory must not be brought in front of the principal elevation or side elevation if it is near a highway.

If you plan to make any changes that are not permitted or you live in a listed building, then you will have to apply for planning permission.

Normally, planning permission costs around £200.

Conservatory Building Regulation Costs

Before building a conservatory, it is important that you adhere to the extension building regulations that are currently in place.

To ensure that you meet building regulations, you should hire a tradesperson listed under the competent person’s scheme.

And if you don't?

If you opt to hire someone who is not registered, then you may need to pay for building approval yourself, which will vary depending on your local council’s costs.

You must obtain building regulations approval for your conservatory doors and windows too.

This includes making sure that they are energy-efficient and that the recommended amount of heat that can pass through the glass is met. You will also need to make sure that safety glazing is used in critical areas where there is an unobstructed opening and on any glazed door up to 1500mm from the ground.

Another important regulation involves ventilation.

You must ensure that all doors and windows provide appropriate ventilation - especially if you are using your conservatory as a kitchen or utility room.

You also need to ensure that your conservatory is protected against fire.

This could involve installing doors or windows with extra fire resistance. You should also make sure that they are big enough to provide a means of escape should a fire break out.

However, you may not have to apply for building regulations approval if your conservatory:

• Is less than 30 square metres.
• Is separated from your home.
• Has its own separate heating system.

Conservatory Guttering Cost

To protect your conservatory, you will need to install guttering to prevent water from damaging the foundations.

The cost of conservatory guttering is around £5 to £30 per metre.

Conservatory Blinds Cost

For added privacy in your conservatory, you should consider having blinds fitted to each window.

But there are lots of different types of blinds you can get.

This includes:

• Roman blinds: £14 to £120.
• Venetian blinds: £5 to £120.
• Vertical blinds: £18 to £100.

The cost of blinds installation can be anywhere from £20 to £30 for conservatory windows. However, this will vary depending on how many windows you have.

Conservatory Heaters Cost

Now here's the thing.

One significant problem with conservatories is that they can become too cold to use in the cold winter months.

To ensure your conservatory stays warm, you should consider installing an electric radiator. An electric radiator costs around £100 to £500 to buy and install.

Another common conservatory heating solution is underfloor heating. This is typically priced at £60 to £100 per square metre (for professional installation).

What are the Supply Costs of a Conservatory?

Planning to install a new conservatory by yourself?

Or maybe you just want to buy your own supplies?

Here are some rough conservatory prices you should expect to pay.

But what about sunrooms and glass rooms?

We've got you covered!

The table below sets out the average supply costs for a sunroom and glass room installation.

Tradesmen Costs of a Conservatory

A critically important cost to consider when calculating the cost of a new conservatory is the price you're paying for labour.

So, what should you expect to pay for labour?

To ensure your conservatory is built to a high standard, you should hire a team of professionals. Typically, they will charge around £150 to £200 per day for their services.

What other tradespeople might you need to hire?

• If you need the help of a roofer to contract the conservatory roof , you'll usually be charged between £15 to £25 per hour (or £150 to £200 per day).
• For a window fitter to install the double glazing for you, you should expect to pay around £10 to £20 per hour.
• For your conservatory interior, you might want to consider hiring a painter and decorator . They'll usually charge about £100 to £300 per day.
• For fitting any electrical systems or lights, you might need to bring in an electrician . Typically, electricians cost around £30 to £60 per hour.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Conservatory?

Here's another important thing.

You need to consider the time it will take to build a new conservatory, as this will help you determine the final cost that you should expect to pay for it.

The table below sets out the time frame for the different types of conservatory.

How Much Does Each Stage of a Conservatory Build Cost?

There are various stages involved in building a conservatory.

Let's go through each stage (and the costs involved) now.

Building a Conservatory Base

Before building your conservatory, you need to make sure that you have a robust base to support it.

This involves excavating the floor area where your conservatory will be situated. It will then be levelled, and the conservatory base should be formed using concrete which usually costs around £90 per square metre.

Building Conservatory Wall

Once the conservatory base is built, a low dwarf-wall will need to be constructed to provide extra support to your conservatory.

This will involve building the wall from the base upwards, ensuring that is it no less than a metre high. The average cost of a conservatory dwarf wall is normally around £50 to £300 per m².

Building the Conservatory Roof

Once the foundations are in place, the roof can then be constructed. This involves installing the roof ridge and roof rafters, along with fitting the glazing sheets.

The price to install a conservatory roof will depend on the type you choose. For example, polycarbonate roofs tend to range from £2000 to £10,00 while a glass roof usually costs around £2000 to £10,00 to install.

Conservatory Fixtures and Fittings

The final stage involves fitting windows and doors, as well as furnishing and decorating the interior.

Here's what all this will cost you:

• Fitting conservatory windows costs around £250 to £350 per day.
• Conservatory door installation costs around £390 to £900.
• The cost to install conservatory lights is between £60 to £100 per light.
• Decorating your conservatory could cost up to £500, but this depends on it's size.

Conservatory Roof Replacement & Repair Costs

After a while, your conservatory roof may need to be repaired.

Let's dive into some reasons why.

Conservatory Roof Leak Repair

If you have a tiled roof, you may be able to replace the roof tiles to prevent your roof from leaking.

The cost to replace roof tiles is around £120 to £200, but this will depend on the size of the roof.

Misted Glass Repair

If you notice that your glass has started to mist up, this means that your double-glazing may have failed. To repair your misted glass roof, you may need to remove the roof frame and replace it with new double-glazing.

This will cost around £30 to £565 per glass pane.

Roof Replacement

In some cases, you may need to have your roof completely replaced.

The cost to replace your conservatory roof will depend on the type of roof you choose.

Polycarbonate Roof

The cost of a polycarbonate roof ranges from £2600 to £4000 for a lean-to conservatory, while an Edwardian conservatory can cost around £4600 to £7000.

Glass Roof

These are slightly more expensive.

Glass conservatory roofs cost around £3100 to £4000, while an Edwardian conservatory ranges from £5100 to £700.

Cost of Cleaning a Conservatory

To ensure your conservatory is long-lasting, you should try to perform a deep clean at least once or twice a month.

This is especially important for your windows, as they can be smudged easily and tend to accumulate dirt.

You can clean conservatory windows yourself using water and detergent.

However...

This can be a time-consuming job. If you're considering hiring a professional, it will usually cost around £300 to £650 to clean the inside and outside of your conservatory.

Conservatory Removal Cost

Thinking about have your conservatory removed?

You might be thinking about it for a number of reasons: perhaps it's letting too much cold into the house in winter, or maybe it's just a little dated.

If you hire a professional to remove your conservatory, it will normally cost around £300 to remove the roof and windows.

The cost to remove the dwarf wall will be around £20 per metre and the conservatory base should cost around £120 per metre to remove.

You will also need to pay to have your waste removed. For professional removal, this should cost around £70 to £300.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?

A: The main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is that a conservatory usually has a glass roof, while an orangery usually features a lantern roof which is solid on the perimeters and glazed in the middle.

Q: What is a conservatory?

A: A traditional conservatory is normally attached to the side or rear of a property and features a glass roof and walls. It is normally used as an additional seating area.

This can be beneficial in the summer months, as it allows natural light in and warms up the property.

Q: How can I clean my polycarbonate conservatory roof?

A: If you have a conservatory with a polycarbonate roof, then you need to make sure that it is cleaned regularly. This will involve clearing the debris from the roof and gutters using a leaf blower or a brush.

You should also use a mild detergent and warm water to clean your polycarbonate sheets, as any abrasive chemicals can cause the material to wear away. This will clear away any dirt that has built-up and will prolong the lifespan of your roof if you clean it at least once a year.

Q: Can a conservatory have a solid roof?

A: Some modern conservatories are installed with a solid roof, as it allows for improved insulation and noise reduction. It also helps to solve the problem of overheating in the summer and being too cold in the winter.

Q: Can a conservatory be extended?

A: Yes, it is possible to extend your conservatory.

However, you need to ensure that your extension adheres to building regulations and planning permission rules. You will also need to make sure that your existing conservatory can support an extended conservatory or if changes to the foundation need to be made.

Sources

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7. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/14/doors_and_windows/2
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Author: Heather B

I am a seasoned copywriter from Liverpool - who after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in English Media and Cultural Studies - went on to specialise in the creation of business and lifestyle copy for a wide range of industries across the UK and USA.