Cost of conservatory base

themoneyguy

I am thinking of building a conservatory and have been looking around for quotes. I have one picked out but I would have to build a dwarf wall base myself. Any idea what it would cost to get a builder to do one of these?

I have attached a pic of rough design needed. (20 ft by 15 ft)

Any one have any experiences of builders building these bases?

johnwest288

themoneyguy wrote: »

I am thinking of building a conservatory and have been looking around for quotes. I have one picked out but I would have to build a dwarf wall base myself. Any idea what it would cost to get a builder to do one of these?

I have attached a pic of rough design needed. (20 ft by 15 ft)

Any one have any experiences of builders building these bases?

I was planning to do the same thing as you and erect the conservatory myself (easy bit supposedly) Where did you end up getting the conservatory might I ask. I was looking on Ebay.co.uk. But a tad hesitant to buy online!

martinn123

johnwest288 wrote: »

I was planning to do the same thing as you and erect the conservatory myself (easy bit supposedly) Where did you end up getting the conservatory might I ask. I was looking on Ebay.co.uk. But a tad hesitant to buy online!

Be careful with DIY Conservatories, if you are seriously thinking of going down that route, post some details on the spec. as there is some terrible rubbish for sale on line.
Example, most DIY are Polycarbonate roof, so available is 18mm, 25mm and 35mm. You should go for 35mm, minimum, otherwise you will have a cold room.
Glazing, again available, internally or externally glazed, internally means the glass is fitted from the inside, so can't be removed by an intruder.
Glass should be Toughened, I suggest Low E Argon filled which should give you a U value of 1.1
Fitting the Conservatory can be tricky enough, the frames go together simply enough, but sealing to the house wall is where you can have problems, and the lead flashing detail where the roof joins the house must be done 100%.
The base detail is also important, it must be level, correct heights, as the Conservatory will have little wriggle room for errors, try telling a blocklayer, he has to knock the walls and rebuild.

My advice, stay away from DIY, I have seen too many horror stories and the money saved, will be eaten up in getting it right, should you encounter problems.
Plus buying from a UK site, try to enforce whatever guarantee they offer, if its not right

Good Luck.

theduffer

martinn123 wrote: »

Be careful with DIY Conservatories, if you are seriously thinking of going down that route, post some details on the spec. as there is some terrible rubbish for sale on line.
Example, most DIY are Polycarbonate roof, so available is 18mm, 25mm and 35mm. You should go for 35mm, minimum, otherwise you will have a cold room.
Glazing, again available, internally or externally glazed, internally means the glass is fitted from the inside, so can't be removed by an intruder.
Glass should be Toughened, I suggest Low E Argon filled which should give you a U value of 1.1
Fitting the Conservatory can be tricky enough, the frames go together simply enough, but sealing to the house wall is where you can have problems, and the lead flashing detail where the roof joins the house must be done 100%.
The base detail is also important, it must be level, correct heights, as the Conservatory will have little wriggle room for errors, try telling a blocklayer, he has to knock the walls and rebuild.

My advice, stay away from DIY, I have seen too many horror stories and the money saved, will be eaten up in getting it right, should you encounter problems.
Plus buying from a UK site, try to enforce whatever guarantee they offer, if its not right

Good Luck.

Hi Martinn123,

Is it possible to get a high spec conservatory with good levels of insulation not to be a "cold Room" during cold snaps?

I guess a sun room offers more in terms of insulation but could you get close with the properly constructed conservatory?

martinn123

theduffer wrote: »

Hi Martinn123,

Is it possible to get a high spec conservatory with good levels of insulation not to be a "cold Room" during cold snaps?

I guess a sun room offers more in terms of insulation but could you get close with the properly constructed conservatory?

Yes, I suppose the word is '' close''
A Conservatory by design is a glass bubble, so starting at the floor, correct insulation, walls similar, then the frames and glass. The standard glass I use has a U value of 1.1, but for a price you can get better
such as
http://celsiusglass.co.uk/the-celsius-range/celsius-elite

it depends on your budget, the same glass can of course be used in the roof.
So a combination of correct insulation and a top spec of glass will get you ''close''
I describe a Conservatory as being a 3 seasons room, not 4 seasons, anyone who tries to tell you different is not being honest.
Its not a Sunroom, with Kingspan in the roof space, Concrete tiles etc, but then its not as expensive to build, so you have a choice depending on budget.
Now there are lots of crap conservatories out there, badly designed and poor spec, I hear every day about ''too hot in summer, too cold in winter''
thats down to the get rich quick merchants who stuck up hundreds of units, badly, and did a runner.
Avoid Polycarbonate, unless you have a small budget, it has its place, but is a poor substitute for quality glass.
Hope this answers your question, now stand back and watch for posts, from those who have bad experiences of Conservatories.

theduffer

martinn123 wrote: »

Hope this answers your question, now stand back and watch for posts, from those who have bad experiences of Conservatories.

Thanks Martinn123, You have answered the question, it would be nice to hear from someone who has had a positive experience from building a conservatory using the approach you have outlined...

johnwest288

martinn123 wrote: »

Yes, I suppose the word is '' close''
A Conservatory by design is a glass bubble, so starting at the floor, correct insulation, walls similar, then the frames and glass. The standard glass I use has a U value of 1.1, but for a price you can get better
such as
http://celsiusglass.co.uk/the-celsius-range/celsius-elite

it depends on your budget, the same glass can of course be used in the roof.
So a combination of correct insulation and a top spec of glass will get you ''close''
I describe a Conservatory as being a 3 seasons room, not 4 seasons, anyone who tries to tell you different is not being honest.
Its not a Sunroom, with Kingspan in the roof space, Concrete tiles etc, but then its not as expensive to build, so you have a choice depending on budget.
Now there are lots of crap conservatories out there, badly designed and poor spec, I hear every day about ''too hot in summer, too cold in winter''
thats down to the get rich quick merchants who stuck up hundreds of units, badly, and did a runner.
Avoid Polycarbonate, unless you have a small budget, it has its place, but is a poor substitute for quality glass.
Hope this answers your question, now stand back and watch for posts, from those who have bad experiences of Conservatories.

Martin, What would be best option for someone looking for something cheap and cheerful. I dont really care about the too hot in summer too cold in winter, I would use it purely for an odd summers evening. and for storing bits and pieces.

martinn123

johnwest288 wrote: »

Martin, What would be best option for someone looking for something cheap and cheerful. I dont really care about the too hot in summer too cold in winter, I would use it purely for an odd summers evening. and for storing bits and pieces.

Concrete slab, insulated, dpc etc. Glass to ground model, i.e no dwarf walls, cill sits on edge of slab. dont bother with a door to garden, Polycarbonate roof, ( 35mm). 25mm is cheaper, but pay the extra few quid. Put some electric sockets on house wall, at least you can plug in a heater, couple of wall lights. Seperate from house with a good quality door to retain heat in house.

Assuming you get some direct sunlight, south or west facing.
North or east forget it.
Cheap as chips, and please don't blame me if you freeze your b****x off:eek:

johnwest288

martinn123 wrote: »

Concrete slab, insulated, dpc etc. Glass to ground model, i.e no dwarf walls, cill sits on edge of slab. dont bother with a door to garden, Polycarbonate roof, ( 35mm). 25mm is cheaper, but pay the extra few quid. Put some electric sockets on house wall, at least you can plug in a heater, couple of wall lights. Seperate from house with a good quality door to retain heat in house.

Assuming you get some direct sunlight, south or west facing.
North or east forget it.
Cheap as chips, and please don't blame me if you freeze your b****x off:eek:

Cheers Martin
LOL im not that bad that i wouldnt at least get a door to the garden lol. Yeah Direct Sunlight from 10am to 3pm . I Have electricty all ready out there ready to go. Who does these cheapy models? What would you be looking at for one of these supplied and fitted. I guess this ebay one would be along the lines?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICTORIAN-STYLE-CONSERVATORY-FULL-HEIGHT-WHITE-UPVC-CAN-DELIVER-/280838917038?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Conservatories_ET&hash=item41634dcbae#ht_1094wt_932

martinn123

johnwest288 wrote: »

Cheers Martin
LOL im not that bad that i wouldnt at least get a door to the garden lol. Yeah Direct Sunlight from 10am to 3pm . I Have electricty all ready out there ready to go. Who does these cheapy models? What would you be looking at for one of these supplied and fitted. I guess this ebay one would be along the lines?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICTORIAN-STYLE-CONSERVATORY-FULL-HEIGHT-WHITE-UPVC-CAN-DELIVER-/280838917038?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Conservatories_ET&hash=item41634dcbae#ht_1094wt_932

yes thats the type of model I was thinking.
That one is 2nd hand, don't recommend that route
For the DIY guy some of the bigger hardware stores sell them flatpack, if you are looking for one fitted, and a base put in what area are you in.

Or the power of ''google''