When first thinking about putting this post together, it was almost titled, Ten Top Mistakes when considering DIY Conservatories, as all too often there are pitfalls that can be avoided if a little preparation is made beforehand. But not wishing to insult people, I’ve titled it Tips. If these tips are followed then planning your DIY Conservatory project will go more smoothly than you’d ever expect.
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Speak with your local planning department before doing anything. Most Conservatories will be classed as permitted development, but usually a quick phone call will clear up any issues that may cause problems later on.
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Keep an open mind with regards to specification. DIY Conservatories suppliers are mostly very experienced, often they can suggest ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of.
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Ensure you understand particular Conservatory Designs which each supplier is referring to. Check their website for a styles guide or ask for a visual layout. There are often different names for the same style of Conservatory.
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Take photographs of the proposed site and save them to your computer. It can be invaluable when trying to explain the arrangement of your property to a supplier. An email attachment takes no time to send in the grand scheme of things.
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Measure the size by staking it out on your site or even by using some lining out spray paint. You may be surprised how much smaller (or larger) it is when you see it laid out in front of you and not just written down sizes.
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Think about the internal floor space. Not only from the point of view of fitting furniture in, but also to ensure (particularly on Dwarf Wall models) that the conservatory will sufficiently span any exisitng doors or windows. There is normally at least 254mm of cavity wall to deduct from each face of your overall base sizes.
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When setting out, consider items such as rainwater guttering. Don’t position your base exactly on a boundary as this could lead to disputes in the future.
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Consider any height restrictions or limits. Your finished conservatory should be measured from finished floor level (usually DPC) NOT ground level.
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Try and wait until you receive your chosen supplier’s plans before you commence construction of your base layout. A supplier will design your conservatory to fit their base layout perfectly, you will find that the final conservatory design will be aesthetically much better.
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Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a proposed supplier doesn’t want to help you before a purchase, is it likely they will want to help after?
