Is it possible to DIY a Conservatory?

Concrete based conservatory

If you are looking to boost the kerb appeal or your property, or just extend it to add more space, you may be weighing up the possibility of a DIY conservatory. Conservatories have multiple benefits: not only do they add space, but they also add infinite amounts of light.

If you want a bright and breezy space to host family meals, read a book or grow some trendy hanging plants, then a glass-filled addition could be ideal.

Many people consider the possibility of building one themselves, in the hope of saving some cash and having a more customised approach to their home. However, there are some pitfalls you can expect to do it this way.

Plausibility of a DIY Conservatory

Of course, it is entirely plausible to build a conservatory on your own terms and with the materials that you have purchased. However, those materials will be quite substantial in terms of pricing.

Not only will you have to construct the frame and fit the glass, but you will have to also lay a concrete foundation. This will require you to get a cement mixer and pour in a mixture that will be able to withstand the weight of a full conservatory.

Amatuer attempting a Conservatory installation

You will also have to consider some more bureaucratic realities, too. For example, your conservatory must not take up more than 50% of the space of your surrounding property.

If you have a house that is semi-detached it cannot exceed three metres high and if it’s detached – four metres. You should only go ahead with a DIY conservatory project if you are confident you can accurately meet these requirements.

A reality check

Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire professional help, the back end of your home will temporarily resemble a building site for some time. If you decide to embark on this venture by yourself, you will have to work on this building site by yourself and dispose of the waste on your own terms.

There will be no other tradespeople to assist you in the process of building and cleaning up your property. If you get yourself into a hairy situation, it will be down to you to fix it. Flooding, mess and accidents will all have to be tidied and remedied on your own clock.

If you do not have a huge amount of experience in construction, it is advisable to look for professional help. Much of the machinery used to create a conservatory is heavy-duty and quite dangerous if put in incapable hands. You shouldn’t rely on hope and ambition to pull you through the project.

When it comes to choosing materials, you have to bear in mind that professionals are likely to know more about choosing the right products. For example, a tradesperson will know that solar-control glazing will help to moderate the temperature in your home, and they will have more knowledge on how to landscape the rest of your garden around the conservatory.

If you are considering carrying out a substantial DIY project, you should be 100% confident in your abilities. Working with industrial materials can be incredibly dangerous, and your measurements need to be absolutely precise. The cost of doing this may also not really be worth it in comparison to hiring a contractor to do it for you.