Conservatories/extra room

[gazdkw82]

We are desperate for some extra room in our house. We have had a quote for a 3mx3m conservatory and are really considering it.

However I am concerned about the real life negatives of having a conservatory, plus they are expensive.

Speaking with our neighbour he has given us the idea of converting the loft into a semi usable study room for a fraction of the cost.

It's really put the cat amongst the pigeons and we are unsure if we are being silly paying such a large amount for a conservatory when other options may exist.

What's people's appinions/experience on this?

Thanks

 

[snowhead]

I don't have a Conservatory, but all the houses I've been in with them have less natural daylight in the adjoining room after having one.

 

[The Ghost]

Freezing in winter, oven in summer is what they say. We had a 3m x 3.5m conservatory and in retrospect it was an expensive mistake. The firm who did it were very poor on responding to problems we had. Turned up for work with glass that was broken and we had to wait ages for replacements. Did the side of it wrong, very wrong! and had to rebuild it. After it was finally done the glazing bars of the roof leaked and they just came along with mastic. In the end I just gave up!
They promise shiny happy things and deliver nothing like it. As well you have to ensure you are not building within three meters of drainage pipes. Apart from that it is a permitted development and easy planning and BC wise.
Now a loft room, with or without building control? Anyway even a boarded room and proper stairs is very viable and much less prone to things going wrong if planned well. However the conservatory serves a purpose in that it does give us an extra room. I put a curtain heater off of the boiler and it warms the room in winter and cools it in summer. We tried to get into the loft and fell foul of contentious neighbours who wanted to almost project manage our loft conversion! So as you may be going on to a party wall you have to be very careful what you are doing as it can and will cost thousands, and I do mean thousands if you get into any litigation with your neighbours.

 

[The Ghost]

less natural daylight in the adjoining room

We have several more times light in ours I must say.

 

[Squid]

Conservatories are for old people in bungalows........

Whats your budget as a proper built extension is a lot nicer/better and increases the share footage of the property a conservator is basically a "lean to".

9M2 isn't much to be honest the one I am planning is 30M2.

 

[gazdkw82]

The issue I have is for a little extra money we could have a small extension. For alot less money we could have a mini loft conversion without building control.

I dunno, we are just really stuck on what to do.

My partner starts her last year at uni in September so private study space is a must (difficult in our house with 2 kids). I also will start my last year of my apprenticeship and will need the same. The conservatory option seems easy as it can be done before end of August.

 

[Octopus]

The issue I have is for a little extra money we could have a small extension. For alot less money we could have a mini loft conversion without building control.

I dunno, we are just really stuck on what to do.

My partner starts her last year at uni in September so private study space is a must (difficult in our house with 2 kids). I also will start my last year of my apprenticeship and will need the same. The conservatory option seems easy as it can be done before end of August.

Sure about that?

I would investigate a proper loft conversion ... rather than a conservatory.........

 

[gazdkw82]

A proper loft conversion is double the cost of the conservatory and out of our budget. I'm talking about insulating boarding and making a room good enough for study. Not to be slept in

 

[Octopus]

If you want space to study then the loft has to be the way ......

 

[gazdkw82]

That's all it will be used for really. The loft hatch would have to be moved.

The conservatory we were looking at is 10k. We can easily do a decent loft conversion for half of that

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

often for less than the cost of a conservatory you can get a prefab extension from one of the many online suppliers, they come and measure up, then deliver the panels ready for you or your carpenter to put together, all you need do is put the slab down. works well, the panels are stuck together and you then clad the outside, fitting doors or windows where needed. in your case at 3m by 3m you would only need several panels to go on the concrete base and a couple for the roof. looking at less than £1200 for them. I reckon you could do a 3 by 3 'extension' with doors, windows, roof tiles? and simple wiring/lights for around £6k or less.
SIPs Panels | SuperSIPs | Structural Insulated Panels UK Manufacturer - http://www.supersips.uk.com/structural-insulated-panels-prices.htm
i once did the wiring for one, they can even do it with the cables in-situ in the panels for connection, but in this case it was drylined inside so cables and capping were the theme of the day.
I am hoping to get a job i quoted for in september wiring a prefab sip building in a garden that is a home office.

 

[gazdkw82]

That link don't work.

Looks an interesting option. What's the longevity of these types of constructions?

Simple enough to build with some general skills? Or would a carpenter be needed to build?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

That link don't work.

Looks an interesting option. What's the longevity of these types of constructions?

Simple enough to build with some general skills? Or would a carpenter be needed to build?

if you are able bodied and got soem mates with decent general building skills and can use a hammer/impact driver then easy enough. But given the size of what you want doing its a days work for a carpenter to put the building together, he might need a hand to manoeuvre the roof panels into place but otherwise quite easy. then you get somebody to do the window and door, then its really easy putting membrane and cladding on. roof can even be grass!

In terms of longevity, its only really taken off the last decade or so, i haven't heard of leaks and draughts with them, especially if you use decent membrane on the outside. but they are going up all over place around here, its cost effective, super insulated and they are building houses, offices and even a huge extension at the ruh hospital was built with them, the dyson neo natal centre was built out of the,.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

this video really shows the ease with which they can be put up!

 

[gazdkw82]

So if I was to have the same design as the conservatory (3mx3m attached to house) keeping the existing patio doors we have so it still kind of acts like a cosnevatory, would I need any planning?

What if I wanted to go larger?

 

[gazdkw82]

So if I was to have the same design as the conservatory (3mx3m attached to house) keeping the existing patio doors we have so it still kind of acts like a cosnevatory, would I need any planning?

What if I wanted to go larger?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

So if I was to have the same design as the conservatory (3mx3m attached to house) keeping the existing patio doors we have so it still kind of acts like a cosnevatory, would I need any planning?

What if I wanted to go larger?

its all down to permitted developments, if its out the back then its now upto 6 metres away from house wall and the width is the same as existing house, so you could say go width of current house minus a little on each side and upto 6 metres into your garden! all adds to cost though but if you went say 6 wide by 4m then you would have a decent space. this runs until 2019 as part of some government policy. you dont need planning permission but would still need to comply with building control. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/miniguides/extensions/extensions.pdf

 

[gazdkw82]

And how do I prove I've complied with building control?

Tbh we don't want to go much bigger than what we originally thought. We don't want to loose the light in our kitchen so only really want to extend of the back of the living room which is 3.5m wide

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

building control will ask for the plans and then give you a fee to inspect it and give the building control cert showing compliance with regs., likely ask who is doing the electrical work if notifiable but you could just join it on to existing circuits and minor cert it, in your last year of an apprenticeship you should have no probs with the electrics.
give your local building control a call and they will give you the local prices.

 

[gazdkw82]

Yeh I'd have no issues doing the electrical work.

I'd have to have a solid base and small work constructed for the sips panels to sit on?

 

[static zap]

Just consider if space is south facing , will be more likely to roast in summer ,
unless have a suitably placed tree !
(My Dishwasher lives in a lean to one )

 

[gazdkw82]

It is south facing

 

[Octopus]

If the new room is a proper room the BC's normally ask for the existing patio doors to be replaced with conventional doors

Why are you trying to avoid involving BC?

 

[gazdkw82]

I guess just to keep things simple but I'm not against the idea.

We've discussed having a prefabricated extension and replacing the patio doors with some bi fold doors etc so the room can be a quiet study away from the kids

 

[cliffed]

We’ve had our conservatory for about 2 years now & love it.
But I would reckon a couple of extras,we weren’t advised on the little things that make a good conservatory.
Under floor heating for winter.
AC for summer.
Windows doors,with built in blinds.
Definitely glass roof,no blinds required on these.
We’ve also got glass all round,no dwarf wall.

 

[gazdkw82]

We’ve had our conservatory for about 2 years now & love it.
But I would reckon a couple of extras,we weren’t advised on the little things that make a good conservatory.
Under floor heating for winter.
AC for summer.
Windows doors,with built in blinds.
Definitely glass roof,no blinds required on these.
We’ve also got glass all round,no dwarf wall.

Why not a dwarf wall? Underfloor hearing would be simple enough. Air conditioning units are reasonable price now.

Bet doors with blinds inside would be expensive? More cost effective to just have blinds fitted?

 

[Wilko]

this video really shows the ease with which they can be put up!

I could watch those guys work all day

 

[johnduffell]

Agree against conservatory, we had one, best day ever was when it was knocked down and the light returned.
It leaked, the temperature issues even North facing, it was just a dumping ground for garden tools

 

[Squid]

That's all it will be used for really. The loft hatch would have to be moved.

The conservatory we were looking at is 10k. We can easily do a decent loft conversion for half of that

You are not talking about a decent loft conversion, even a dormer is not a proper loft conversion. Save your money make do and in the future build something decent that will push up your happiness rating and will give you a return on your investment, conservatories can be a liability.

I do know what I am talking about for a change on here regarding building work so Tel, no snide comments okay ;o)))))

 

[telectrix]

snide comments???? moi?

 

[Squid]

I could watch those guys work all day

Whatever turns you on......... foundations, concrete footings and base and bricks up to the damp course must have taken time and its not a "proper" extension its done on the cheap.

 

[Squid]

snide comments???? moi?

Don't hold back ;o)))))))

 

[Squid]

My advice, save the money get the studies all done and dusted go to work and work hard then either extend or move to a larger house. I "think" in Leicester you can buy something decent for £250k.

How large is the garden as a shed may be a better option and you can build that yourself sorry I meant Home Office.......

 

[gazdkw82]

Yeh looked at a garden summer House/study room. We do have a large garden to be fair.

We do like the idea of a conservatory and wouldn't mind doing the work to keep it more manageable (underfloor hearing, air conditioning etc)

 

[Squid]

If you like the idea of a conservatory you must have some serious kinks in your life at your age.

An an extension on average will add about 11% to the value of a property (depending on finish and standard of fittings) what the value of your property if you don't mind me asking?

 

[static zap]

........its not a "proper" extension IF its done on the cheap.

(Correction added)...
I know that "Crack" well !

 

[Squid]

This is my planned rear extension project that I am working on now, forget the interior its a stock photo just getting the architectural drawings and planning application sorted out.

 

[gazdkw82]

If you like the idea of a conservatory you must have some serious kinks in your life at your age.

An an extension on average will add about 11% to the value of a property (depending on finish and standard of fittings) what the value of your property if you don't mind me asking?

160k.

Problem best quote we have had for similar sized extension is 16-17k. Way above what we can afford

 

[Squid]

Don't bother, make do and save your money, what I will spend on my refurb is more than what your house is worth.

In your area an extension is only worth considering if you plan on being there for the next 20 years if not don't bother, work hard earn more money upgrade to a larger property in a nicer area closer to better schools, at least you won't be hammered for Stamp Duty like I will be and I don't like the fact that I may have to give HMRC £100k for doing absolutely FA.

 

[gazdkw82]

Don't bother, make do and save your money, what I will spend on my refurb is more than what your house is worth.

In your area an extension is only worth considering if you plan on being there for the next 20 years if not don't bother, work hard earn more money upgrade to a larger property in a nicer area closer to better schools, at least you won't be hammered for Stamp Duty like I will be and I don't like the fact that I may have to give HMRC £100k for doing absolutely FA.

Easier said than done. We are in desperate need of space. Don't plan on moving as we like where we are and can't lend anything on our mortgage because partner is listed as a student.

 

[telectrix]

conservatory is , IMO, a good option as long as you consider the "oven in summer, fridge in winter". ours has been here 30 years, before my time, and only prob has been recent slight leaks in roof. it was installed by B&Q ( ach spit ) but with a lifetime guarantee ( for original owner, and her mum's still alive) so leak was fixed last year. it' 6m x 4m.

 

[Squid]

conservatory is , IMO, a good option as long as you consider the "oven in summer, fridge in winter". ours has been here 30 years, before my time, and only prob has been recent slight leaks in roof. it was installed by B&Q ( ach spit ) but with a lifetime guarantee ( for original owner, and her mum's still alive) so leak was fixed last year. it' 6m x 4m.

Its fine as your wife wheels your wheel chair in and plonks you in front of the the PC, conservatories are for peasants, you want an Orangery, this is mine,

 

[Squid]

It is attached to a 2 bed terraced house in Toxteth though........

 

[telectrix]

Its fine as your wife wheels your wheel chair in and plonks you in front of the the PC, conservatories are for peasants, you want an Orangery, this is mine,

View attachment 43509

small fry.

 

[Squid]

small fry.

But I own mine, you just pay £50 a year to the NT to visit........

 

[Squid]

As I am an IT "Expert" I have hacked in to Tel's ConservoCam (you would laugh at the password) and caught him uploading to EF,

Hmmmmm

 

[telectrix]

wrong pic.this is me and 'er indoors.
.

 

[Squid]

From what I saw by trawling though the data on ConservoCam is that your wife has four legs is hairy and was tied to a lamp post, you have Welsh blood I bet........

 

[telectrix]

had to do that dumb for that post. . it's not up to your usual standard.