DIY Conservatories – What You Need to Know Before Starting

A DIY conservative is an attractive option for those who are looking to add to their home without the expense of paying the professionals. Not only will you save on the labour costs but there are some great deals out there for those looking to self build a conservatory, including some companies that will match the best price you can find anywhere else. Before you get started with your DIY conservatory, here are some essentials that you need to know.

1. You don’t need planning permission for a standard conservatory structure as this is considered to be a permitted development. However, there are some conditions to this:

Your conservatory should not be closer to a public right of way (including footpaths) than the original house – if it is you will need planning permission.

• The only restriction on the width of the conservatory is if it projects beyond the house in which case it must be single storey with a maximum height of 4m and width of no more than half the original house. In terms of depth, where the original house is attached then the depth maximum is 3m, where it is detached (i.e. there is no sold structure connecting it to a neighbouring house) it is 4m.
• The maximum height for a single storey construction is 4m – above that planning permission is required. It will also be required if you plan to have a conservatory with verandas, balconies or raised platforms, or for it to cover more than half the area of land around the original house – if not then no planning permission is required.

2. Be sure that your conservatory brickwork will fit your base – you can give yourself the best chance of getting this right by using a detailed base/brickwork plan. Make sure that the conservatory is built to the same specifications as your plan – and that you build the brickwork to the same size – and then the fit should be perfect.

 3. If you are building your conservatory over a manhole then you should fit a double sealed manhole cover. You don’t need planning permission for this but if you want to move the position of the manhole cover then you should check local bylaws and any restrictive covenants in your property deeds.

 4. Your conservatory will be exempt from building regulations as long as it is at ground level and has a floor area of less than 30m, at least half of the new conservatory wall and three quarters of the roof are made in a translucent material, the conservatory has external quality doors that separate it from the house, and any glazing and electrical features comply with building regulations.

 5. Be sure to consider rubbish disposal before you start the process of putting up your DIY conservatory. You cannot simply dump waste from the building process in the street but there are services – such as Anyjunk – that will come and remove your rubbish hassle-free.

If you’re considering a DIY conservatory then these are the principle issues that you need to grapple with before you begin. If you have any concerns over the design of your structure and whether it will require planning permission, it’s always a good idea to seek advice before constructing, as otherwise you may end up having to take it down. If not then, happy building!

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