I mean we’ve remodeled basically everything else since lockdown started almost a year ago so why not right? A conservatory doesn’t have to be as crazy as it sounds, and is one of the best options for an extension to your home but also, one of the more expensive. This is because, it’s essentially, a whole new room but one which is -outside of your home; technically speaking. A conservatory is great for the family who needs more room for their children to play, more room for relaxation and also, a better place to connect with the garden. However, as we have just mentioned, it’s a bit more expensive than just a normal extension to your kitchen or dining area. So, you must be careful when planning, that you know what’s going to happen when you set everything in motion and how best you can make the most savings. We know a thing or two about this, so we’re going to provide you with information about the best things to include in your overall plan.
Do you need planning permission?
The very first thing you need to check out is whether you can just get to work, or if you need planning permission. Many local authorities have websites and they have sections which you can explore, about this area. Most will have planning permission details that are available at the offices which you can order over the phone, and pick up in person. However since the offices are all closed nowadays because of the rona, you can just go onto the website of your local authority or check on a governmental website.
More often than not, you will need planning permission. But why? What are the things you should look out for?
- Building regulations! These are the most important rules as they need you to fill out forms of what you’re going to be doing, how, when, why and what the expected outcome is.
- This is essential for the local government to know what kind of project you are doing and if it will add or take value away from the property. Remember, they have to deal with the housing prices in the area going too high or too low, so your home is going to be of interest to them.
- What kind of planning permission do you need? Sometimes there are levels for the type of extension. Level 1 might be a 5-meter extension, level 2 might be 10 meters, level 3 might be 10×10 meters, etc. when you find out the level or type of extension then you can figure out if you will need permission or not. The lower levels usually don’t require permission.
The budget and payment
The next important thing is to know what kind of budget you have. Obviously, before you figure this out you need to know what you need for the type of extension you require. If you want to extend your home for a conservatory, know what type and size of conservatory you want. A small 5 meters by 5 meters room is not as expensive as 10×10 meters, but will it be glass walls, brick walls, or a mixture of both?
But lets’ talk about money. This is how you should start your budget.
- Material costs. By far the most important and most expensive aside from labor costs. How much material do you require for your build and what type? Steel, wood, glass, fiberglass, etc?
You should also consider piping, wiring, flooring, etc.
- How much will the labor cost? If you aren’t doing the work yourself, you need to know how much it will cost for the hiring of a company, i.e. who, how long for and what is their demand?
- Budget your project in weeks instead of months, this way you can add or decrease time more easily and in-line with your budget.
Another option is refinancing your home so you can actually use your own mortgage to help pay for the new conservatory. Using this brilliant refinance calculator , you should be able to see what the interest will be, if you can consolidate your debt, what you can get for your current mortgage, what your new interest rate will be, what the overall new amount you get will be, etc. the great thing is, since you are adding value to your home, you are more than likely to be approved for some kind of refinancing. The mortgage company will always look kindly on a borrower who is going to use the mortgage money to actually add value and not just pay bills.
What kind of style?
Speaking of adding value, the style of the conservatory will add a lot of value or not as much as possible, to your property. This is because some styles are more attractive to the average customer than others. Thus, it’s important to not just go with a style that only you love. Search around and do a bit of research or what kind of conservatory styles there are and where they would be most popular in the country. These following options are just some which you can choose and they will be pegged to a demographic which has proven to like them and offer a higher price as a result.
Southern Homes
- The French conservatory style, made with a mixture of wood and glass, is the most popular. The dark wood, and square window panels are very popular in France and in turn is very popular in places like Mississippi, Alabama, and anywhere you can get authentic Cajun food! Yes, down in New Orleans and places in Georgia, this style is going to add more value than others.
- Havana conservatory style is very appealing in hot states like Texas because of the neutral but soft style of the decor and flooring. Made from clay or sandstone tiles, the flooring is very good at dissipating heat and the white cedarwood walls and window frames are great at reflecting light and keeping the room cool. Plae a few small large leaf plants and you have a lot of value added to your home.
Northern Homes
- The English conservatory is very popular in states like New York, New Jersey and Maine. This is because the cold climate is better for a home with a British conservatory. These are thicker, have double-glazing glass, heavy oak wood used for the window frames and they have better seating for warmth. It’s also made out of brick so you can expect stronger walls and more solid construction.
- The modern style is very appealing because it’s cheaper than other styles. Made from synthetic materials like plastic, polyester tiles, and acrylic window frames, it’s a great option for those on a tight budget. It’s also modular so you can always upgrade after the fact, such as replacing the window frames and even the roof riles into another style.
The doors
The exit into the garden is crucial. Study the kinds of styles there are as this too will have an effect on the price. A swing door is not good enough. It should be a sliding door or telescope door set up so you have a modern approach to going outside from the conservatory. We recommend that you select one side of the three walls, and make sure you build that wall with the mind of having a modern door option.
A conservatory is a complex extension, with many pitfalls. The planning permission hurdle is the tallest one you need to jump. But then it’s all about the budget, material costs, labor costs, style, project length and modern approach to the design.
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