Size

While you may think that you want the biggest conservatory possible, it is also important that you opt for a size and shape that will complement your home and garden.

We would advise an area of approximately 9M2/30Ft as the minimum amount of room required for a comfortable conservatory. While 30M2/98Ft is often used as a maximum guideline as once you go over this area you will need your local Building Control's approval on your build, which can add a great deal to the cost.

Get a feel for the conservatory area, go outside and mark out the planned boundaries, then walk around them to get an accurate impression of your proposed dimensions.

Position

The position of your conservatory will almost definitely influence the choices you make on optional extras for your conservatory and your furnishings. South facing conservatories receive more direct sunlight and therefore you might want to consider additional ventilation in the form of a roof vent or air conditioning, perhaps a performance glass or polycarbonate in the roof or a means of shading such as blinds.

With conservatories facing the North the issues are less pressing, you will be more concerned with keeping your room warm in the winter. The use of a low-emissivity glass such as Pilkington's K glass is becoming increasingly popular in all conservatories to reduce the amount of heat loss through the glazing.

Planning Permission

Most properties have a 'permitted development' limit of approximately 50-70 cubic metres, which will govern the extent to which you can extend your property. If you have no existing extensions to your property you usually do not need to seek permission from the local authority for a conservatory.

However, there are a few exceptions to the above but our representatives can advise you of whether you require consent from your local planning authority at the first meeting on your property. If you do need to seek planning permission then we can take care of all your planning needs. Our architect will need to take detailed measurements of your property and then draw up the plans, we will then submit them to your local council and liaise with them on your behalf.

Building Regulations

Conservatories do not normally come under Building Regulations. However the Building Control Office has issued their definition of a conservatory, as long as your proposed conservatory meets these guidelines it is exempt from Building Regulations.

• The walls must compromise of at least 50% and the roof area at least 75% of a translucent material.
• It is attached to but separated from the dwelling house thermally by means of a door
• The area is no larger than 30M2.

New Regulations

As of 2005, we do now have to adhere to the new Document P of the Building Regulations, which relates to new electrical installations

All this actually means is that we have to test your house electrics to ensure that they are safe to connect to. And all downstairs sockets now need to be RCD protected, so we will to install an RCD in your new conservatory.

All our Electricians are members of ELECSA, which is an authorised competent person self-certification scheme for installers who can do all electrical installation work. Therefore we can provide you with the correct and relevant documentation to support your new installation.