HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND
uPVC (un-plasticised polyvinyl chloride)
This is a very rough guide to what you could pay for certain products.
As with all industries prices vary greatly from company to company and whether you like it or not –you get what you pay for.
These prices are a rough guide and include V.A.T at 20% for a uPVC Conservatory from the Double Glazing Industry
4m x 3m including building works and a standard floor finish.
Basic designs start from about £9,000 for a full build package.
You will often see these products advertised in the papers and there are many companies (both large and small) that compete at this level in a very price driven market where quality takes a back seat.
Mid specification plastic conservatories -better designs and better products- will increase the cost. A mid level 4metre x 3 metre white plastic conservatory will cost between £12,000 and £14,000 depending on the level of detail included.
The higher ends of the plastic market (not necessarily the largest companies) use a product that is marginally better but more importantly -built to a higher standard which may involve building regulations. The same 4m x 3m building could cost between £14000 and £17,000 again depending on design and detail included.
uPVC Orangeries from the double glazing industry
4m x 3m including building works and a standard floor finish.
Basic entry Level Orangery £ 16,000 - £18,000
Mid level £ 18,000 - £22,000
Higher end £ 22,000 - £28,000
Some of the specialist conservatory companies in the country (companies that only sell conservatories, specialise in timber and build to much higher standards) will occasionally design and build using uPVC where it can be justified.
Some designs, usually those with lots of brickwork or brick piers can work with uPVC products. This option is usually reserved for newer properties that already have uPVC windows.
uPVC on older properties has to be designed with great care and on Listed buildings it should never be considered.
Large projects in uPVC -over 25 square metres- can cost up to £50,000 or more and at this stage other materials should perhaps be considered.
In theory you could design and build a plastic conservatory or orangery costing hundreds of thousands of pounds so giving you a limit to what you should spend is impossible.
One thing that should be taken into account when purchasing a plastic conservatory is that the life expectancy of plastic is approximately 20 years -when looked after. Some of the cheaper products can deteriorate in less than half that time.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND
Timber
I will try not to be too biased but timber is by far the best material to use if you want a truly stunning conservatory
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These prices are a rough guide and allow for construction in hardwood and include V.A.T at 20%.
The versatility of timber conservatories results in a wide range of pricing. Timber can be machined quickly and efficiently to produce simple standard joinery that can be used for constructing basic conservatories. There are many ‘double glazing companies’ that use this type of joinery -in a price driven market.
Typical costs for a 4 metre x 3 metre timber conservatory made from window sections and including building works and a standard floor finish start from around £16,000 and larger designs -5m x 4m -start at around £22,000.
The quality of construction at this level is at the very least questionable as very few projects are governed by building regulations and so each company can interpret the word ‘quality’ in any way they choose. Considering the significant costs involved, purchasing a timber conservatory from a double glazing company can prove a risky business.
To build a ‘stunning conservatory’ which after all is what this book is about -requires an understanding of the balance between structural requirement and aesthetic beauty -a section of timber profile used on one design may not be suitable for another.
For example: a Georgian orangery with delicate corner posts will look odd and may have structural problems. Likewise, a classic country glasshouse with large capital and plinth columns would never fall down -but would look ridiculous.
Bespoke conservatory companies generally make their own products, they employ architects or professional designers and have a hands on approach to a project from beginning to end.
Every conservatory should be designed and specified on an individual basis to achieve the ultimate result –a truly stunning conservatory.
Here is a list of a few bespoke companies that you might like to have a look at for some inspiration.
Typical costs for a bespoke 4 metre x 3 metre timber conservatory including building works and a standard floor finish start from around £25,000 and larger designs -5m x 4m start at around £35,000
Bespoke timber orangeries start at around £40,000 with no real limit.
Other construction materials
For contemporary designs and commercial buildings aluminium is often specified. The high specification of the aluminium required for these projects results in a similar cost to bespoke timber.
Seasoned oak can be used to build beautiful natural looking conservatories and normally adds around 25% to the cost of hardwood.
Stone, brick and hardwood combined can be used with great effect to build very grand Georgian orangeries. Depending on design and size, stone work can add between £3,000 and £10,000 to an average size project.
Tiled roofs on conservatories -a design generally called a garden room- will add between £2,000 and £5,000 to the cost of an average size conservatory. The additional cost is not the actual tiling itself -tiles are far cheaper than glass- it is the additional cost in labour to install the tiles and the extra structural requirement to support the additional weight.
Other costs to consider when planning your conservatory
Under floor heating
£60 - £140 per square metre. Wet systems are usually more expensive as they take longer to install. You may have additional expenses for wet and dry systems as fuse board or boiler upgrades are often required.
Tile floors
Basic tile floors start from around £25 per square metre. A good quality floor will cost from £40 per square metre and will usually cost £250 - £400 to install in a 12 square metre conservatory.
Tile floors work well with under-floor heating (both systems) and the range is endless. Remember that the smaller the tile the higher the cost will be to install it.
A good tip: Ask to see the discontinued range and as long as you can buy enough for the job with a few spares in case of accidents you can often save up to 50%!
Timber floors
I would never recommend laminated flooring for use in a conservatory. The frequent change in temperature tends to cause the joints to open up and once that happens the floor is ruined.
Engineered floor boards will cost more -a good board starts at £50 per square metre- but you will get a lot longer life from it.
A good tip: When designing your amazing conservatory -don’t forget to allow for a suitable floor. Cheap looking floors ruin the feel of a conservatory the same way cheap looking work-surfaces ruin a kitchen.
Basic blinds start at around £2,000 for an average size conservatory. Pinoleum blinds for a 16 square metre start at around £5,000 and electric blinds with remote control will usually cost over £10,000.
