Archive for the ‘DIY Conservatories’ category

I’m now a DIY Conservatory erector! (Customer Testimonial)

August 24th, 2010

My Lean To Conservatory arrived on the Thursday and offloaded expertly by the Driver and his mate.

Started laying the sills Friday morning with my son (with gallons of tea via the wife) ..and by Sunday evening, the whole thing was erected – and roof on.

We were pleasantly surprised by the ease of construction – and the quality of the materials. It made us glad that we were so particular over the measurements – a point that Conservatree4u stressed many times. We now know why…

All the family have been around….nosin’……and were all impressed. All asked where it came from – ……’On line.. ‘Conservatree4u’……..artic lorry etc. “Wow!”

Thanks again for the excellent service – and a quality product.

Many Thanks,

Harry from Devon

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Posted in conservatories, Conservatory Designs, Customer Service, DIY Conservatories, Easy to Install?

A real example shows how service matters – Customer Feedback

June 16th, 2010

We recently supplied a Traditional Lean To conservatory to a customer who left his installer with the task of selecting a supplier. Understandably, both parties were nervous about dealing with a company that is just another ‘website’ business as far as they knew.

This isn’t uncommon for us, or indeed many businesses just like us, but this is why we believe that the service you provide is paramount. Some would say, ‘well, what does it matter. You sell a conservatory, a one off purchase, they’ll never buy again’. Well, this may be true, but I would answer this with two points.

Firstly, a customer is a customer, whether they buy from you once or a million times. Every time deserves a level of care at least equal to the last.

Secondly, you never know who the customer is going to speak to after the service or product you provide. Treat them badly, they will speak badly of you. Treat them well and, well you can guess the rest….

So, onto Chris (the customer) and John (the fitter).

Firstly, we received the following email around 4 days after delivery;

Hi Chris,
 
             well John has all but finished erecting the conservatory, and I have to say I am very pleased with the out come, there are a couple of little issues that have arisen which I’m sure can be sorted out quite easily. I have taken some photographs so you can identify what I’m talking about.
 
There where two sets of R handed doorhandles sent (looking at it from the outside) IE the screws are on the outside of the left hand door.
One of the end caps for the roof supports didn’t have a screw cover
there are 6 white plastic covers for screws missing although screws and plastic inners where all there.
And finally if you look at all the window panels, all but one has a raised pattern on the lower panel (to the left of the door) new panel required
If you can arrange for these items to be send down I would appreciate it.
 
Unfortunately with all the contact numbers you sent there is no emailed address, I will be away until the 24th but if you can liaise with John I would appreciate it.
 
He will be contacting you shortly reference the door I enquired about on the phone.
 
Once again Chris thank you in anticipation, you can be assured you will be recommended by me to all
 
regards
So you can see, the customer on the whole is happy even though we had a couple of issues (the handles by the way was as simple as taking them off, turn the handle 180° and fitting them the right way round) but they were dealt with immediately and an email sent straight back to explain that the goods would be sent on next day delivery.
 
I’d like to thank Chris at this stage for the photos and I look forward to one when everything is completed, but for now here’s one of the images he has sent us.
 
Traditional Lean To Conservatory
 
The following day we received this email from John;

Hi cris

Thank you for your prompt response

We where both very pleased with the product-first rate, from your help first help on the phone, to the delivery boys and to the final erection-thank you for your help

 I will email you door sizes for the one off door between the garage and the utility room next week

 Looking to see if I can generate any business using your services as we did with cris do you have any pricing guides , point of sale information etc that could help

Thank you

john

So, two very happy customers. Even when things haven’t gone absolutely perfectly. I have made a point of not editing any of the emails even though they pointed out issues to do with the product.

The reason? Well simply this, most of us appreciate that when we buy goods, particularly a manufactured item with hundreds of components, sometimes issues arise. It’s how we deal with the issues that matter.

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Posted in Buying Tips, Customer Service, DIY Conservatories

Should service levels affect my choice of DIY Conservatory supplier?

February 23rd, 2010
When deciding to make any major purchase, surely you would want to get the best possible service you can. So, when choosing your supplier, how can you be sure of the level of service you can expect?
It’s easy! Use the experiences you have had whilst you are still in the decision process. There are a few major signals that can help you on your way to making the right choice.
  • If you made an enquiry to the company, how long did it take them to make contact with you. A phone call, email, anything simply to acknowledge your enquiry.
  • When discussing your DIY Conservatory requirements with the company, how simple did it feel (to you) to describe what you needed. Any representative with knowledge will make it feel easy to you even if you’re not sure how to explain things.
  • How long did it take the company to come back to you with your conservatory quote. If you have waited for more than a couple of days, have they made contact to explain the delay?
  • Has your quotation been provided in writing, or did the company simply want to only give a verbal price.
  • Is the potential supplier quick to enter into a ‘discount’ discussion. Often, companies with a greater integrity will offer a fair and reasonable price first time and not just be interested in massive discounts just to win a sale.
The five points above will give you a reasonable indicator of the level of service you can expect from a conservatory supplier if they are succesful in winning your business. OK, it obvioulsy isn’t a guarantee, as some companies will pull out the stops at pre-sale and then fall woefully once they have secured the order. But, at least if you spot the signs above, you can decide ealier rather than later who to shortlist as your possible supplier.
It never fails to amaze me the amount of potential customers who I speak to who claim to have been waiting, in my opinion, too long for a supplier to come back to them with quotes, information, etc. I have spoken with a gentleman this morning who has been waiting for two weeks for a company to do a quotation for a small lean to conservatory with one side omitted. Another is alledgedly waiting for the company who supplied his first conservatory (which apparently has almost fallen down) to re-quote on another. I accept that some of this is simply the customer ‘putting off’ the rest of us, as people generally find it hard just to tell you how it is.
I do also believe that there is this obsession with having to get as many quotes as possible to barter with. Beware, when applying this tactic to your purchase, you may also find you unwittingly rule out the better companies as they will walk away if you’re only buying factor is price.

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Posted in Buying Tips, DIY Conservatories

Ten Top Tips when considering DIY Conservatories

January 5th, 2010
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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Consider any height restrictions or limits. Your finished conservatory should be measured from finished floor level (usually DPC) NOT ground level.
  9. 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.
  10. 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?

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Posted in Conservatory Tips, DIY Conservatories

Are DIY Conservatories easy to install? Part 3

October 20th, 2009

In our final part of these series of posts we’re going to discuss question 3.

  • How much time have you given to complete the project?

As DIYers we are all guilty of under estimating, or rather not giving enough consideration to the timescales involved in any project. How often have we started out with an estimated timescale in mind, only to find that it ends up taking twice, three times or even longer than our original timing.

As with all DIY projects, it shouldn’t be rushed into. In Part 1 we discussed the need to ensure you have planned correctly and in part 2 we discussed the importance of understanding exactly your requirements. So hopefully you can see that before you have even taken your drill out of the case, there is a lot of preparation, so why undo all your good work with over optimistic timings.

Most DIYers tend to have day jobs, so we’re already saying that most of the work will probably be taking part at evenings and weekends. It’s true that some will take time out from work to complete the installation in a set block of time, but again, think about where we live. This is the UK after all and that great old phenomenon ‘British Weather’ will inevitably play it’s part (and of course this will also be magnified by the time of year you intend to install).

Whilst I’m being honest, let’s also not forget (although nobody wants to suffer it), damages, breakages, etc. Without going into the extremely sensitive subject of who gets what wrong from time to time, everybody involved in supplying and buying, is human. Whether the supplier is at fault or the customer, sometimes the situation dictates that replacment items need to be supplied. All too often things will go wrong just at the wrong time and the unfortunate ‘down tools’ situation rears it’s ugly head.

The last important point to note when planning your timescale is, you and your time. Some will have families to think about, some an active social life, maybe a combination of both. Again, the last thing you want is to put unecessary stress levels on yourself and loved ones if what starts out as an exciting venture turns into a long drawn out process, just because it wasn’t planned correctly.

As with all the posts in this series, our main objective is to help you, the customer, to make the right decision. Throughout all of the posts we have tried to stress the importance of your investment both in monetary and time value. If you know that you have planned everything to the best of your control, then choosing, purchasing & installing DIY Conservatories can be an extremely enjoyable project to undertake. There is no shame in accepting that maybe you wish to employ the services of others for some or all of the project.

For some, the satisfaction will in fact come from simply managing your own installation, knowing that you have avoided paying a premium price often associated with full install packages, whilst enjoying the luxury of seeing your dream realised without having to worry about tackling the hard labour side of the project.
For others, the opportunity to look back at your finished product knowing that it was all down to you is often the perfect tonic.

Whatever your motivation a DIY Conservatory project can take many forms, just remember what you have set out to acheive, set yourself realistic goals and most importantly enjoy the investment you are making for you and your home.

So to conclude with our opening statement in Part 1: Are DIY Conservatories easy to install?

Yes, if you have planned and prepared adequately, and no……….

………if you haven’t.

If you wish to know more or need help in discussing your requirements, please comment, contact us or call our freephone number 0800 917 2230 and we willl be happy to help.

1 comment »

Posted in DIY Conservatories, Project timescales

Are DIY Conservatories easy to install? Part 2

October 12th, 2009

Following on from Part 1 of these series of posts we’re going to discuss question 2.

  • What do you know about different conservatory designs?

This may sound like an insulting question at first, but it is most definitely not intended to be. I think in this day and age, most of us looking into the prospect of investing in a conservatory, have heard the usual names associated with different designs; Edwardian, Victorian, Lean To, etc. But how many of us actually understand the slight differences with all the different styles. If you really don’t understand the concept of a Box Gutter, for example, then obviously it makes sense to find out about it before making the decision of installing one.

Any supplier worth their salt should guide you through a selection process, ensuring you understand the principles of their designs and helping to select what is right for you. After all it’s your purchase, your investment, your future addition to your home. When considering building your own conservatory, what would be worse than resenting the particular conservatory design you purchased just because you weren’t fully aware of what was involved in piecing together that style.

As we considered in Part 1 of these posts, think about what you expect to acheive from your Conservatory project. If you are not fully aware of the level of complexity from one style of conservaotry to the next then it’s all too easy to imagine that a Double Hipped Victorian DIY Conservatory is as simple to construct than say, a standard Edwardian DIY Conservatory.
It’s really not rocket science, just look at the basic shape. If one looks more complex than another, then there’s your answer, simple.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go for the design or style that you really want. Quite the opposite. I’m saying don’t compromise. If you want a grand looking P Shape but feel you are only happy to tackle a Lean To, you will be better to ask for help on the style you really know is right. Again, as discussed in Part 1, if you need to call on someone to undertake the work, then do just that. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Remember, if it’s an investment (which a conservatory should most definitely be), treat it as such.
The links posted above will take you to explanations of those specific designs, whereas the following link will take you to our main conservatory designs page where you can select from many others. These pages will allow you to decide on which style is best for your needs and desires. This in turn should help you to decide whether you’re happy to put this style together yourself or whether you may need some additional help.

As always, please contact us, leave a comment or call 0800 917 2230 if you would like to know more.

In Part 3, I’ll be discussing question 3; “How much time have you given to complete the project?”

Check back very soon for the final part in this series of posts.

2 comments »

Posted in Conservatory Designs, DIY Conservatories

Are DIY Conservatories easy to install? Part 1

September 29th, 2009

One of the most commonly asked questions when speaking to anyone about the DIY Conservatories business is, quite simply, “are they easy to install?”

Well there is a simple answer. Yes…………. And no.

Whilst Conservatree4u specialise in supplying DIY Conservatories, we would always advise to ask yourself the following three questions:

1. Have you thought about the entire construction process?
2. What do you know about different conservatory designs?
3. How much time have you given to complete the project?

In this post, we’ll discuss the first question.

* Have you thought about the entire construction process?

When considering any DIY project it is important to be aware of all factors determining the outcome of the project. From fixing a shelf to creating your self build conservatory, there are outside issues dictating the simplicity (or lets be honest) complexity in realising your dream.

Let’s start by raising the issue of conservatory planning permission. Again, a question that rears it’s head over and over is, “Do I need planning permission for my conservatory?”. Well, here alone is a major question and whilst the most common answer is “usually not”, it is always worth checking with your local authority with regards to the (and here is the key term) ‘permitted development’ for your property. Check out the planning portal for an overview. This one single part of your project plan can be invaluable for arming you with all the information you need when it actually comes to the point of selecting your conservatory (size, design, etc.).

Next, comes the issue of the foundations, base and/or dwarf wall construction. It’s never just a case of throwing down a bit of concrete for the conservatory base and the conservatory will sit straight on top (actually with pre-fabricated steel base systems, it can be just that, but there are still issues to think about there as well, we’ll discuss these revolutionary systems in a future post). There’s a lot of weight in a fully installed conservatory and if the foundation isn’t right to start off with, this can lead to any number of different problems later on. You need to remember that your conservatory is intended to last at least as long as the guarantee (which for most companies is at least 10 years nowadays). So consider carefully how you will prevent your extra room collapsing/sinking/sliding away before your very eyes. I know that sounds a little harsh, but your consevatory is a serious investment. Get the foundations right from the start.

It’s not only the ‘bricks and mortar’ of building a conservatory base that has to be considered. You’ll notice the word ‘entire’ highlighted in the question. Well, there’s also another tiny consideration……Your property.

Where is the conservatory going to fix to the property and what layout or arrangement is currently there? All too often when measuring up for a conservatory, things can be forgotten about. Such things as;

* height of upstairs windows
* pipework or boiler flues
* cabling (satellite dishes are a common offender)

On many properties there are what are known as ‘soffit’ overhangs with a fascia board to consider. Are you going to have to modify these to accomodate your conservatory design (more on conservatory designs in Part 2).

Sometimes you may have existing parts of your property (or indeed a neighbour’s) to think about whether to alter them or include them in the scheme of the conservatory layout. Be careful when it comes to neighbours’ walls or boundaries, if you don’t have permission to fix to a neighbour’s wall for example, it can cause a whole host of problems if you ever want to sell your property. Boundaries again, cause many issues. Don’t just think about your conservatory base size. Consider any items that may overhang further such as sills or guttering.

It could be as simple as allowing for the distance between the downstairs doors and windows. There are, again, many factors which you will need to consider when planning the entire construction process.

These points just touch the tip of the iceberg. Are you aware of how the drainage system runs around the area you want to install? Do you need a retaining wall, a soakaway, a suspended or concrete floor? The list can go on and on. Again, preparation and knowledge is key.

However, you needn’t despair. There are many reputable (and some not so reputable) tradespeople out there who will be more than happy to help you with all or part of the construction process. It may be (as tends to be the most common case with DIY Conservatories) that you feel confident in installing the DIY Conservatory kit, but not so keen to deal with the groundworks. Whichever you decide, if you make the right choice, your DIY project will ultimately be an enjoyable and satisfying process. Not to mention, you’ll have that nice extra room at the end of it.

Please contact us, leave a comment or call 0800 917 2230 if you would like to know more, and please check back soon for the next part in this series of posts.

In Part 2, I’ll be discussing question 2; “What do you know about different conservatory designs?”

To be continued…….

31 comments »

Posted in conservatory base, conservatory foundations, conservatory planning permission, DIY Conservatories

The DIY Conservatories Blog from Conservatree4u

September 22nd, 2009
Well it’s been a while in the making, but here’s the blog. Over the coming weeks, months and (hopefully) years, we’ll be posting a whole host of articles, from industry related issues and news, through to helpful Hints, Tips and Advice for anyone who may be considering the DIY Conservatories option.
In addition, we’ll be throwing in some other posts that fit with our message, because yes I’m sure you’ve noticed, our business name suggests something more than just a company who are purely interested in selling conservatories. In a nutshell, we ‘re committed to addressing the environmental issue surrounding the plastics industry (primarily uPVC) and we’ll be uncovering some of the myths surrounding recyclability and environmental impact as well as keeping you up to date on our own attempts to help the environment through our company’s unique campaign (more to come on that in the near future).
So for now, welcome to our blog and feel free to post your comments. Any thoughts/suggestions/etc., will be greatly received (within reason) and we’ll look to build a blog that can show that the old days of “foot in the door” double glazing salesmen needn’t be the image for the future of our industry. Tell us what you’re thinking, however trivial, and you never know we could be posting an article based on that thought.
And as Chaucer first wrote “as an ook cometh of a litel spyr” or as we like to say “mighty oaks from little acorns grow”.

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Posted in DIY Conservatories