Conservatory building work costs
In this guide we attempt to answer questions often asked by clients - namely how much will it cost to construct a base and erect the conservatory? And can you give us some typical specifications? To help with this we have broken this guide into three sections.
We hope you find them of assistance.
1. Typical rates for base, dwarf walls and erection
2. An Example costing
3. Some typical specifications / base details
Conservatory Pricing Explained
While we feel the prices quoted in this guide are fairly representative of the costs you will pay if you employ a builder to do this work the prices quoted are not guaranteed. The prices quoted are just typical of rates we have been quoted in Southern England. Price variations of plus or minus 10% would be typical with some areas / regions showing even greater variations.
You would off course pay less than the quoted costs if you do some or all of the work yourself.
Typical rates for base, dwarf walls, building works.
NB - Base prices are based on gross external area. Additionally when calculating wall costs you do not make any deductions for the area occupied by the doors. The base includes footing to perimeter.
1. Conservatory Concrete base
£94.00 per sq metre (assumes max build up from ground level to base level of 200 mm) Minimum charge £650 (Based on a concrete base - 150 mm thick, brick faced and including damp proof membrane).
2. Conservatory Cavity brickwork.
£ 125 per sq metre (Measure from DPC level) (No deduction to be allowed for doors etc).
3. Conservatory Build-up surcharge
add £15 per sq metre to the rate for the concrete base for every 100 mm over and above 200 mm of build up. (For instance if total build up from ground level to DPC / finished base level is 500 mm you would charge £45 per sq metre additional - i.e. 500 mm - 300 mm = 300mm - therefore charge is 3 x £15 per sq metre).
4. Conservatory Single skin brick work
£90 per sq metre (Minimum charge £300).
5. Conservatory-to-bridge drains
£30 each time (assumes concrete lintel used).
6. To provide double sealed manhole cover
£200 each.
7. To re-site gully
£200 each.
8. To move manhole (requires building regulation approval)
£600 minimum charge.
9. To supply and fit radiator in the Conservatory
from £300.
10. To supply and fit electrical connection (double power points, connect wall lights) in the Conservatory
£60 first connection, £50 second connection and £30 per connection thereafter (Minimum charge £200).
11. To use angled bricks on Victorian conservatories (Squints, dog legs, specials)
£3 - £5 per angled brick.
12. To remove and dispose of existing structure (greenhouse etc)
from £250.00.
13. To "kn.0ock through" from adjoining room - e.g. remove window and create opening for patio doors
£160.00 plus £90 to fit door if required.
14. To insert lintel
From £400.00.
15. To insert cavity tray (where conservatory roof connects to existing house walls)
£65 per metre.
16. To build a soakaway (for drainage)
£190.00.
Conservatory erection costs (rough Guide only - based on lean-to style)
For any area up to 16 sq metres charge £50 per sq metre. For any area in excess of 16 sq metres charge £50 per sq metre for first 16 sq metres and then £35 per sq metre over and above 16 sq metres. (Minimum charge for any conservatory installation £600 - i.e. 12 sq metres)
Add surcharges as follows to above prices:
A Add £400 for any Victorian or Edwardian design (e.g. a 16 sq metre Edwardian will cost £1200 to install).
B Add £300 for any roof with glass in it.
C Add £200 for any roof with a box gutter in it.
Example Conservatory Costing
Based on 3660mm x 3350mm Victorian Style Conservatory. (All calculations are based on gross external areas - no deductions for doors or angles)
Base cost = 3.66 x 3.35 = 12.26 sq metres - cost 12.26 x £94 = £1152.44
600 mm dwarf wall = 3.66 + 3.35 + 3.35 (10.36 metres) x 0.6 m = 6.216 sq metres
Wall cost = 6.216 x £125 = £777.00
Erection costs = 3.66 x 3.35 (12.26) x £50 = £613.00
PLUS £400 Victorian surcharge = £1013.00
Grand Total for base and erection in this example
£1152.44 + £777.00 + £1013 = £2942.44
PLEASE NOTE: These are example prices. Use for budgeting purposes only. We recommend a site visit by the builders / installers in order to confirm prices. The prices quoted in this guide are based on using established builders and installers who offer a quality job and guarantee. It's possible to obtain lower prices, but we advise you to be careful and avoid "cowboy" builders or "unscrupulous" traders. Read this article on this site found here on quotes
GET ALL PRICES CONFIRMED IN WRITING AND INSIST ON AN INVOICE FOR ALL WORKS.
Some typical Conservatory specifications / base details
In the following examples you will find some typical cross-sections for your conservatory base and wall detail. We are grateful to the people at ConservatoriesOnline.com for their permission to use their drawings here.
You may also like to review our Free Step by Step Construction Guide.
A DISCLAIMER: Our construction guide and these sectional drawings are not a complete instruction manual. Please note we cannot accept responsibility for erroneous constructions based on this guide.
ANOTHER SPECIAL NOTE: These sectional drawings are just typical sections - you or your builder may use different sections depending on site circumstances.
EXAMPLE 1
With example 1 we have a fairly typical section for the construction of a base and dwarf wall. This assumes that the site is reasonably level and without any major difficulties. As an example of a variation on the above - note that many suppliers prefer to "sit" the inside of the conservatory frame flush with the inside of the external course of brickwork. In our example the frame has been fitted slightly forward of the inside edge of the external course of brickwork in order to facilitate an easier fixing for the internal window board. Either method is OK in our opinion.
EXAMPLE 2
We again have a fairly typical example based on a site without many difficulties. As previous you may find that your supplier will fit the frame flush with the inside edge of the foundation. Also your builder may create a brick faced base rather than concrete faced base. In our example the conservatory frame rests on top of a damp proof membrane. This is often used when using timber frames. However with PVCu frames it is more likely your builder will lay the PVCu frames directly down on foundation. (PVCu is after all a damp proof material). The usual finish then is to "lap" the membrane that's under the concrete floor up against the frame on the inside.
EXAMPLE 3
This shows a suspended floor detail often used where there is a significant difference in levels between the ground level and the finished floor level (FFL) of the conservatory. Note an air brick should be inserted at front.
EXAMPLE 4
We have a good example of one way to overcome a large variation between levels. You should remember with examples like this to allow for brick steps (plus other landscaping) in order to safely "step down" from your conservatory to the ground level.
About the authors:
M Taylor T/AS Dial A Conservatory, Unit 2 Angmering Station, Station Road, East Preston, West Sussex, BN16 3RE
FREEPHONE: 0800 833309
tel: 01903 850093, fax: 01903 859866
Outside UK tel: +44 1903 850093
E-mail: info@conservatoriestoday.co.uk
http://www.conservatoriestoday.co.uk/
"BRILLIANT"
gazza
"Detailed drawings are very useful. However I\'d like to know what floor/base to put underneath ceramic tiles when the construction includes air bricks. Should it be wooden joists with mdf panels on top?"
Richard
"any details on cavity tray??"
dpw
"This is a very helpful site. Answered almost all of my questions. Thanks for this."
GG
"when was this page last updated please"
tom
"very good"
glen
"Very helpful article. Just two points... 1. When was the article last updated? (Prices are no doubt going to increase as time goes on) 2. Is it right to assume that the cavity brickwork includes the cost of bricks? (perhaps a silly question, but I have seen small print for some suppliers who expect the buyer to supply the bricks at extra cost!)"
Jonathan
"Great advise in plain language."
Dave B
"very useful"
paul