What is the Price of a Conservatory?

If you are planning to install a conservatory your budget will probably be one of the biggest factors in deciding what type to go for. There are an abundance of different styles and designs to choose from, but before getting carried away, it is important to think about what the conservatory will be used for.

If it is intended as an extra room then more of the budget will need to go towards the heating and the furniture; if it is to be used only as an occasional garden room, more of the budget can be used on the style and exterior design.

The price of a conservatory can vary greatly, particularly if you undertake some of the work yourself; but if you are intending to use a professional builder to carry out the work, it is advisable to gather at least three quotes for the supply and installation of a conservatory.

The cost of a conservatory can be greatly affected by your choice of style and size.

The style of conservatory

The style of conservatory will have a big impact on cost, is an important decision both in terms of the budget and the finished look of the conservatory.

Modern conservatories tend to be functional in shape, and are generally cheaper; while traditional

style conservatories include Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian.

These tend to be more ornate and detailed and are usually more expensive. If you have a period property it may be much better aesthetically to install a traditional style conservatory, as it will be more in-keeping with the style of the house; despite being more expensive.

Both types of conservatory can be constructed with frames made of PVC, hardwood or aluminium, with PVC and hardwood the most common; although PVC tends to be cheaper.

The design and finish

The final internal design and finish of your conservatory should also be taken into account when you work out your budget.

If you intend to use the room all year round it will be necessary to install some form of heating.

Conservatories can suffer from greater heat loss than a house, so are not permitted to be connected to the property’s existing heating system.

One way to heat the room is by installing underfloor heating; this can be a relatively inexpensive way to heat a conservatory during the colder months, but will need to be factored into the costs.

By their nature conservatories can become very warm as the sun beats through the glass, and it is likely that you will need to fit some blinds to keep the room cool on particularly hot days.

Blinds can be fitted to the windows and the roof of a conservatory, and you should find out whether these are included with the installation, or need to be bought separately.

You could expect to pay in excess of £1000 for a good set of blinds for a medium sized conservatory, so it is not a cost that should be neglected.

You will also need to furnish this new room, and it may be worth factoring theses costs into your budget as well.

You may want to install a certain type of flooring, you will probably need chairs and possibly a table, you will be thinking about how to decorate the room; all of these things will cost money, and just the furnishings could run into hundreds of pounds.

You could save money by furnishing initially with second hand conservatory furniture

Typical conservatory prices

To get the best conservatory price it is worth shopping around to find the cheapest installer, without compromising on quality.

At the lower end of the spectrum a basic conservatory should cost around £500 per square metre.

This should include the supply and installation of the conservatory including VAT. More expensive conservatories, which may be of traditional style or use highly efficient glazing could cost anything from £750 – £1000 per square metre.

DIY

If you are a competent DIY enthusiast and feel able to take on the job of installing the conservatory yourself, the cost could be greatly reduced and you will be able to get much more for your money.

A home installation kit could cost anywhere between £1,500 and £3,500.  It is not a small job, however, and you should not be tempted to try and take on the work just to save money.

The installation of a conservatory involves digging foundations and laying concrete; it may involve brickwork for the base of the conservatory, and will require the fitting of the roof and the windows.

Although most conservatories are not generally covered by building regulations, there is still a requirement for both the windows and any electrical installations to meet the relevant parts of regulations. If you are building the conservatory yourself, it is your responsibility to make sure these requirements are met.

Summary

There are plenty of things to consider when you are planning a conservatory, many of your decisions may be controlled by the budget. It is important not to lose sight of what you require the conservatory for; the largest Victorian conservatory may look grand, but do you really need it if the room is just going to be an occasional garden room?

Conservatory prices do vary considerably with many different styles available, it is wise to try and find the most suitable size and design which best complements your house. If you are going to use an installer source at least three quotes for comparison.

Make sure each includes the complete supply and installation, and check the length of the guarantee. You can also carry out background checks on installers and ask them for details of previous installations they have carried out in the area.

Do not forget the various other costs that come with a conservatory. It may be tempting to stretch the budget to buy the best possible structure you can afford; but remember that the conservatory may need to be heated.

You will almost certainly need to install blinds to help keep the room cool in the summer, and once it is finished it will also need to be furnished.