Conservatory Cost

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How Much to Build a Conservatory?

In 2026, the average conservatory cost for a standard uPVC conservatory is around £15,000 (not including fixtures and fittings). However, should you choose a more premium material, such as timber, then expect initial costs to be much higher.

Other factors that impact the cost of a conservatory extension include any groundworks and laying the foundation, as well as the size and location, overall design and any additional finishing touches.

The following guide includes conservatory prices per square metre for a range of options: including traditional lean to conservatories and Victorian conservatories, as well as an Edwardian style conservatory, P-shaped, T-shaped, L-shaped and orangeries.

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While it's possible to build a conservatory on a budget, it can also be a project based on creating an area of luxury – however, as a basic guide, here are the average starting prices for different conservatory extension designs:

Let's take a closer look at the cost per m² for those different types of conservatories (structural costs only, excluding any foundation and groundwork preparation):

Fully Fitted Conservatory Prices

To put the conservatory costs per m² into context, the below prices are based on a fully-fitted lean-to conservatory extension between 7m² to 10m²:

The most expensive type of lean-to conservatory in our range is a large 10m² glass with dwarf wall conservatory extension, priced at £10,000. Dwarf walls improve your conservatory insulation and add privacy, offering the construction a "sturdier" feel - but it does come at a higher cost.

Let's now consider conservatory prices for an Edwardian conservatory design, based around 12m² to 16m² in size:

A small 12m² Edwardian conservatory extension costs between £8,250 to £10,000 depending on it being fully glazed or built using polycarbonate.

Lastly, we take a look at P-shaped conservatory extensions costs in the table below, these prices are based on a 15m² to 20m² build:

The average cost of a low-cost lean-to conservatory is around £8,250. However, prices vary depending on the size, whether you want polycarbonate or glass roofing, and if you want the sides fully glazed or with a dwarf wall.

At the other end of the scale, a P-shaped conservatory costs on average £14,500, with the same variations in price depending on specifications.

Supply Cost of Conservatory Extension

The below are some material-only estimates based on an area of around 6m² to 18m², to provide you with a rough guide. For any bespoke designs and fittings, you will have to contact a tradesmen directly to request a quote.

Labour Cost of Conservatory Extension

Labour costs for a conservatory vary by experience, qualifications, time on site, and location (with labour rates in London and the South East higher than the national average). Hiring a company to carry out the building work will usually also include a project manager who coordinates the workforce and how the job planned out and the timeline involved.

Take a look at the below to help determine the labour costs and approximately how long the construction process will take.

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Factors That Impact Conservatory Costs

Here are the main factors that impact conservatory extension building costs:

• Groundwork and Foundations - Having a site survey is recommended as the base for your framework is crucial for the longevity of your conservatory. The ground will need excavation to determine foundation depth, after which you can choose a flat or raised base, whereby the material may vary depending on the local ground condition.
• Building the Frame - Most conservatory frames are uPVC, wood, or aluminium. uPVC is cost-effective, low-maintenance, and comes in various designs. Hardwood frames are pricier but offer a cosy, rustic feel, while aluminium allows thinner frames and larger windows, making it the most expensive option.
• Types of Conservatory Glass - Glass is the stronger and more energy efficient option, whereas polycarbonate costs less to install. It also provides built-in UV protection, and is flexible and lightweight. Also consider uPVC windows costs as double glazing can help reduce heat loss and provide improved insulation, creating a more energy efficient option.
• Dwarf Wall - A dwarf wall links the conservatory to your existing property and compared to fully glazed walls, can moderate temperature, reducing the need for heating or ventilation. There's also less cleaning involved, as there isn't any glass installed at a lower level, although this can also restrict your view of the outdoors.
• Roofing Style - The type of roof will impact the price, with the cost varying between styles. Lean-to conservatories normally have a flat roof, whereas most other designs are gable fronted or hip styled, although other variations are also available. If you're upgrading an existing roof, then conservatory roof replacement costs are also likely to increase should any additional structural work be required.
• Conservatory Flooring - Vinyl flooring costs around £300 and is easy to clean. The cost of laying carpet is cheaper (£400) but potentially less durable, while solid oak flooring offers a luxurious feel at a higher cost (£1,300).
• Conservatory Insulation - Premium options include insulated metal or tiled roofs with glazed panels, while budget choices involve secondary glazing, reflective laminates, or heavy curtains (though these may cause condensation).
• Control Temperature - These include sun-absorbing/reflective glass, improved ventilation, ceiling fans or blinds, installing underfloor heating, or for a temporary solution you can simply use portable heaters and standalone fans.

What's Involved in Building a New Conservatory?

Building a conservatory extension is a complex task that often involves preparing groundwork and foundations, as well as drainage pipes and structural considerations that are far beyond the capabilities of most DIY projects.

That's why we'd recommend hiring tradesmen who are already professionals in this type of building work. It's also best practice to request three quotes from separate companies used to building conservatories, which you can do so via MyJobQuote without any obligation to go ahead.

Below we take a look at the basic steps required in order to build a conservatory extension, although in reality, the process is much more complicated:

Before the Job Starts

• Preparing the Foundation — Lay a solid foundation using either foundation blocks or concrete. Cover it with a weed-suppressing membrane to maintain a neat finish and prevent plant damage.

During the Job

• Installing the Base — Place base sections into position, bolt them together, and attach them to the house. Insert floor insulation sheets and install the fixed floor on top.
• Attaching the Walls and Frames — Bolt the walls into position, fix them to the base, then fix the frames together and attach them to your house wall. Attach a skirt to the base, adding extra support if the ground slopes.
• Assembling the Roof — Assemble the roof and fix it in place.
• Installing Glass and Features — Install the glass panels, decorative cresting/finials, gutters, and downpipes. Add any internal trims to complete the conservatory.

After the Job

• Final Checks — Ensure all parts are secure, aligned, and fully watertight. Confirm that all finishes and trims are correctly fitted.

Types of Conservatories

Traditionally a conservatory extension is a glass-walled room with a glass roof (rather than tiled) to allow for plenty of natural light. Typically attached to a house for growing plants or to create a relaxing living space, the cost of a conservatory can vary depending on the individual shape and style chosen.

Lean-to

A cheap conservatory option, a lean-to conservatory is very simple and subtle. This style of conservatory is usually square or rectangular, and the longest side runs along an existing wall of your house. The roof attaches to the existing property wall, angling down to meet the front of the conservatory.

Edwardian

An Edwardian conservatory has flat walls and is a very simple and symmetrical design, often square or rectangular. One of the benefits of an Edwardian conservatory design is that it makes full use of the available floor space. You can have any size, as it has a pitched roof rather than one limited by the projection from the house.

Victorian

A Victorian conservatory has a steeply pitched roof, often with highly decorative finials at the peak of the roof and crestings along the ridge. This was the style at the time, and so a Victorian conservatory better suits a traditional style home.

Gable

This is an elegant and bold style of conservatory. It has a vertical roof at the front, with the ridge running front to back and the sloping sides left and right. Its Georgian influence perfectly suits a period property.

P-Shape

This is a combination of a lean-to conservatory plus either an Edwardian conservatory or Victorian-style design at one end, forming the loop of the ‘P’. The P-shape conservatory effectively makes two separate rooms instead of one, and you can make each room as big or as small as you like.

T-Shape

The T-Shape conservatory works best on a larger property and has three sections, the central one of which projects out in front of the others. The T-shape conservatory can be built based on a Victorian, Gable or Edwardian style conservatory, with the central projection adding further space.

Lantern

This is more often used as a roof lantern for an orangery (a more substantial building than a conservatory, with fully insulated brick walls and a glass roof) or a pool house, but can suit larger house conservatories. A roof lantern conservatory has a two-tiered ‘wedding cake’ roof, creating extra height, and the extra windows allow you to add more ventilation.

Kitchen Conservatory Cost

When you remodel a kitchen into a kitchen conservatory, you can create an area of natural light. This can make the kitchen more inviting for social gatherings with additional space and can improve the overall practicality.

For an average-sized kitchen-friendly conservatory, expect to spend between £12,000 and £20,000 on the build itself. The overall price will also depend on factors such as plumbing and electrics, as well as adding ventilation, heating, lighting, flooring, units, and purchasing your appliances.

In general, a kitchen conservatory is cheaper to build than a single-story extension while still offering many of the advantages of a standard conservatory. However, it's worth recognising that a traditional bricks-and-mortar extension provides better insulation and often requires less maintenance, potentially making it a greater long-term investment.

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Bespoke Conservatory Extensions

Conservatory prices when designing a fully bespoke extension vary depending on the individual requirements, with customers often choosing to instead adapt an existing design.

P-, T- and L- shape conservatories are the most common to have personalised, often involving adapting the size and shape accordingly. However, other bespoke options can include changing the conservatory roof (such as having a solid roof rather than including a skylight), or the decision between double or triple glazing.

Other options may be making cutbacks purely to help save money, or spending extra to improve upon the original design in order to allow more natural light or create the ideal living space.

Planning Permission for a Conservatory Extension

As a general rule, conservatory extensions fall under Permitted Development rights and as such you may not need planning permission. However, if the conservatory covers more than 50% of the land around your home (or there has been any extension work carried out previously) then restrictions may apply.

If you live in a listed building or conservation area or any part of your conservatory is due to face a public road/walkway, then you will need to check with your local planning authority first you may require planning permission in these instances.

If you discover you need to apply for permission, the application fee is usually around £258, although this may vary between regions.

Building Regulations for a Conservatory Extension

If your conservatory is less than 30m² and remains separated from the main property by external-quality walls and doors, and has independent heating, it may be exempt from certain building regulations approval. However, any reputable builder should still follow structural guidelines to ensure the conservatory is safe and secure.

In the event you are removing external doors or walls as part of the build, or alter any drainage or electrical systems, those elements may still require Building Regulations approval.

Should you require any further advice, it's best to contact the building department within your local council.

How to Keep Conservatory Costs Down

While conservatory prices can prove expensive, it is still possible to save money on the final cost by reviewing the following ideas:

• Choose a lean to house extension - Lean to conservatories are often the most cost-effective choice, with straightforward designs and materials helping to bring down the overall cost.
• Look for second hand options - Consider a second-hand conservatory that someone has taken apart with the view to sell on, this can potentially save you a lot of time during the construction process.
• Purchase a prefabricated kit - While the initial outlay may be expensive, a prefabricated kit (especially if already part-built) can save you significant money on labour fees.
• Define the purpose - Having an end use in mind will help you budget accordingly and without the need to make any further adjustments at a later date.
• Minimal structural changes - More extensive building work such as a P-shaped design tend to require additional structural amends, whereas a lean to conservatories tend to require far less.
• Receive multiple quotes - This isn't just about getting the best price, it can also be used as negotiation as your conservatory installer may also be able to suggest ways to reduce the cost.
• Choose double glazing - It may be more expensive initially, but when it comes to and energy efficient extension and creating a comfortable living space, it will save you money in the long run.
• Prepare in advance - Clear the site area, removing plants or old paving slabs and make the area easily accessible so your conservatory installer can get started upon arrival.

Checklist: Hiring a Conservatory Installer

Consider the following key points before going ahead and hiring a conservatory installer:

• Do they have the relevant industry-related qualifications? Check whether they have the relevant industry-related qualifications or training, as well as the right hands-on experience to install a conservatory extension.
• Can they provide references from previous customers? Get references from previous customers and ask to see previous work, or if you've received a recommendation from someone you know, ask if you can take a look at the work they've had carried out to help you make an informed decision.
• Are they members of the Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme? Membership provides extra protection, as companies are vetted on a continual basis to ensure professional standards.
• Have you requested multiple quotes? With the help of MyJobQuote find at least three companies who can provide a quote so you can compare pricing and ensures you’re paying a fair rate for the work.
• Have you received a written quote? This should be provided free of charge and clearly outline materials, labour, and any additional building costs. It's also the best way to ensure you understand everything that is covered in the price.
• What are their warranty and guarantee policies? Confirm how long the warranty lasts, what it covers, and how claims are handled. You should also check with your own insurance company if you need any advice for once the extension is completed.
• Do they offer a deposit guarantee and insurance? This protects your money in case something goes wrong during the project and although liability insurance isn't a legal requirement, it covers in the event of injury or accidental damage.