Rule of thumb: Conservatory add value?
Discussion
Personally I don`t think you will recoup hardly any costs (IMO) however
have you looked at the cost of a conservatory versues doing a proper extension.
Personally I think a proper extension will add value (but not its full cost of building).
Its a tough call as we are looking at doing an extension I estimate with me doing alot of the work it will come to 70 grand but the value added to the house is realistically more like 50 grand.
It all depends on house, area, etc... Maybe get an estate agent round to value it, and then ask how much if we had a conservatory.
have you looked at the cost of a conservatory versues doing a proper extension.
Personally I think a proper extension will add value (but not its full cost of building).
Its a tough call as we are looking at doing an extension I estimate with me doing alot of the work it will come to 70 grand but the value added to the house is realistically more like 50 grand.
It all depends on house, area, etc... Maybe get an estate agent round to value it, and then ask how much if we had a conservatory.
Personally, I think conservatories are a waste of space. Most of them are too cold to use for most of the year, too hot in the summer and just become dumping grounds for crud before becoming structures that leak whenever the wind blows!
Maybe I had a bad experience but our big south conservatory was only properly usable for about 4-6 weeks each year!
I'd go with an extension if it's at all possile.
Maybe I had a bad experience but our big south conservatory was only properly usable for about 4-6 weeks each year!
I'd go with an extension if it's at all possile.
We stuck a couple of radiators in ours. As long as they can be isolated, then there's no problem. Changes it from somewhere to cold to sit, to a 'normal' extra room.
We stuck a small TV in there, with the XBox and it's created a great room to get the kids out of the way. Also nice place to sit with the stereo on.
We stuck a small TV in there, with the XBox and it's created a great room to get the kids out of the way. Also nice place to sit with the stereo on.
Piglet said:
Personally, I think conservatories are a waste of space. Most of them are too cold to use for most of the year, too hot in the summer and just become dumping grounds for crud before becoming structures that leak whenever the wind blows!
Maybe I had a bad experience but our big south conservatory was only properly usable for about 4-6 weeks each year!
I'd go with an extension if it's at all possile.
A newer conservatory with insulation in the base / walls and solar control glass will be alot more useable for more of the year - though it does depend on where the building is situated and how exposed to the sun it is.Maybe I had a bad experience but our big south conservatory was only properly usable for about 4-6 weeks each year!
I'd go with an extension if it's at all possile.
A tiled roof conservatory is more expensive and will require a Building regulations application as it doesn't have the translucent roof required to gain an exemption. Also you need an 'external grade' door between them (ETA by them I mean the house and conservatory) to avoid thermal calculations.
The few I've seen do look smart though. Not that I'm bias but take a peek at the pics on our website www.banburywindows.co.uk.
Don't know about adding value, a good one should certainly make the house roomier and more desirable should you come to sell.
Edited by carmadgaz on Thursday 25th March 09:40
maybe I am alone here, but I'm thinking "of course it will add value". On a modest three bedroom property, (no offence OP) adding what would be an extra downstairs room must count for something? If it can be utilised as a dining room in a house that maybe does nto have one, or a playroom for kids, all the better, but even if it is just effectlively an extra reception room, it will add something, just because it has a use.
No whether you get back all you spend on it, it another issue, but I would have thought if done nicely, with a nice insulated floor, maybe half brickwork walls and it's a decent conservatory with a decent roof, then yes, you should get it all back. proivided you can do all that for about £10k to £15k!
Even if it is only used for storage as some say they use there for, well dry storage attached to the house will add value IMO. A single garage tends to add £8 to £10k does it not, and most are unsutiable for actually putting a car in!!
I do agree on the considering extension thing though, some builders are offering good price per sq ft just now. But remember you CT band may increase if there is a review and less likely to if you have a conservatory I'd have thought.
No whether you get back all you spend on it, it another issue, but I would have thought if done nicely, with a nice insulated floor, maybe half brickwork walls and it's a decent conservatory with a decent roof, then yes, you should get it all back. proivided you can do all that for about £10k to £15k!
Even if it is only used for storage as some say they use there for, well dry storage attached to the house will add value IMO. A single garage tends to add £8 to £10k does it not, and most are unsutiable for actually putting a car in!!
I do agree on the considering extension thing though, some builders are offering good price per sq ft just now. But remember you CT band may increase if there is a review and less likely to if you have a conservatory I'd have thought.
Edited by poo at Paul's on Thursday 25th March 10:22
Whether or not a Conservatory adds value is going to depend largely on build quality.
We spent a bit less than £30K on ours. It's big - almost as large as the lounge it's connected to, it's centrally heated and is warm year-round, it's well lit, has an oak floor and is beautifully decorated. It has a glass roof, a dwarf wall and enough power sockets. It's PVC coated which matches the house but the frame has air-gap insulation and it is, of course, properly double glazed with Pilkington glass.
I reckon we didn't lose money, although we're not interested in selling so can't be certain. Nor did we gain much.
If we'd put up some aluminium greenhouse lean to I reckon it would have reduced the value if the house.
We spent a bit less than £30K on ours. It's big - almost as large as the lounge it's connected to, it's centrally heated and is warm year-round, it's well lit, has an oak floor and is beautifully decorated. It has a glass roof, a dwarf wall and enough power sockets. It's PVC coated which matches the house but the frame has air-gap insulation and it is, of course, properly double glazed with Pilkington glass.
I reckon we didn't lose money, although we're not interested in selling so can't be certain. Nor did we gain much.
If we'd put up some aluminium greenhouse lean to I reckon it would have reduced the value if the house.
I'd agree with what's been said so far, it makes a lot of sense to do it properly as that's the only way it will add value to your property, not to mention allowing you to enjoy the space.
Ours has totally lightened up our dining room and kitchen with the addition of 2 large doors and full height windows beside them as an added bonus. It makes the whole ground floor seem bigger and lighter.
Ours has totally lightened up our dining room and kitchen with the addition of 2 large doors and full height windows beside them as an added bonus. It makes the whole ground floor seem bigger and lighter.
Yes. I live in similar 3 bed semi barrat box. Next door have a conservatory which they use as a dining room, across the road have converted their garage into a dining room, mine is lacking a dining room. Converting a garage or building a conservatory probably costs the same £10k ish? I would say that both of theirs would fetch £5 - £10k more than mine.
I'm bias as well as we're just having one built!
I spoke to a few estate agents prior to going ahead with this and their view was that adding value depends on the house.
If the house has a postage stamp sized garden and you build a tiny plastic roofed north facing convservatory with no heating you will be on to a loser. I think alot of the bad rep that conservatories have amongst certain people is the plastic roofed, cold and damp cheap rubbish. A well built one can be used all year round. A glass roof means that you can actually hear yourself think when it's raining as well!!
We're lucky enough to have a good sized garden and we are having a solar glassed roofed south-facing conservatory with heating. Our house is a bit odd as it has three double bedrooms and two tiny reception rooms. Hopefully the conservatory will help to balance the house out. Also the layout means it will be very integral to house. Value wise I would hope to get what we have paid out and it's alot cheaper than moving which was the other alternative!! The estate agent who sold us our house also agreed with this and thought we might actually make a few quid on it but as we've no intention of moving it doesn't make a great deal of difference to us.
I spoke to a few estate agents prior to going ahead with this and their view was that adding value depends on the house.
If the house has a postage stamp sized garden and you build a tiny plastic roofed north facing convservatory with no heating you will be on to a loser. I think alot of the bad rep that conservatories have amongst certain people is the plastic roofed, cold and damp cheap rubbish. A well built one can be used all year round. A glass roof means that you can actually hear yourself think when it's raining as well!!
We're lucky enough to have a good sized garden and we are having a solar glassed roofed south-facing conservatory with heating. Our house is a bit odd as it has three double bedrooms and two tiny reception rooms. Hopefully the conservatory will help to balance the house out. Also the layout means it will be very integral to house. Value wise I would hope to get what we have paid out and it's alot cheaper than moving which was the other alternative!! The estate agent who sold us our house also agreed with this and thought we might actually make a few quid on it but as we've no intention of moving it doesn't make a great deal of difference to us.
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