How Much Does It Cost To Refurbish A Conservatory?

Professional painter refurbishing a conservatory with a paint roller

If you have a conservatory that could benefit from a refurbishment, you will need to know how much you can expect to pay for your project to be completed. Having an attractive and functional conservatory will add value to your home, but it’s important not to overspend during the process of bringing your existing conservatory up to scratch. 

Here, we’ll take a closer look at the typical amount you can expect to pay to refurbish your conservatory and the different factors that will come into play when determining those costs. 

Why Refurbish Your Conservatory?

Having an attractive conservatory will add more value to your home while also making it a more pleasant and appealing place to spend time. Your conservatory is a lovely place to relax all year round while enjoying the beauty of your outdoor spaces from the comfort of the indoors, but it needs to be in good condition to really make the most of it. 

With this in mind, there are many ways to refurbish a conservatory, and each one has its own advantages as well as its own costs. Perhaps you want to turn your existing conservatory into a more functional living space where you can spend time all through the year. 

Alternatively, you may only want to give your conservatory a simple refresh with a new feel and look. A smaller scale project will, of course, cost less than a full-scale refurbishment. 

Replacing Your Conservatory Roof

One of the most effective ways to refurbish a conservatory is to replace its roof. If your conservatory has an aging polycarbonate or glass roof, replacing it will make a lot of difference, helping to prevent your space from feeling too cold to use during the winter or too warm during the summer. 

It costs about £3000 to £5000 to replace a conservatory roof, although if you’re planning to replace your existing roof with a solid one, the costs will be higher. If you are planning to refurbish your conservatory roof along with its windows and walls, it will cost between £4000 and £8000. 

Converting A Conservatory Into A Living Space

Should you wish to entirely reclaim your space, turning your conservatory into a regular living space, you will need to pay more to complete your project. The price will range from £5000 right up to £25000 depending on what you require. 

Which Factors Impact On The Cost Of Refurbishing A Conservatory?

There are several factors that come into play to determine how much your conservatory refurbishment project will cost. They include: 

  • The kind of refurbishment – if you are planning to only replace the roof, you can expect the cost to be about £4000 for a glass roof or £6000 for a solid one. If you are planning to insulate the roof, you can add on another £1350, and if the windows and doors will be replaced too you can expect to pay about £6000. If you’re building a brand-new conservatory, the project will cost around £22500. 
  • The size of your conservatory – it will, of course, cost more if you’re planning to extend your conservatory, and you may also need to obtain planning permission. 
  • The style of your conservatory – the price will depend on the kind of conservatory you’re looking for. 
  • The preparation work needed – will you be moving your own furniture before commencing the project or requiring the refurbishment team to do it for you? Will you take up your own flooring, or rely on professionals? While conservatory refurbishment teams can do these things for you, you will need to add the costs into the overall budget. 
  • Location of your property – like all types of home renovation project, you can expect the location of your property to have an effect on how much it will cost. Typically, prices are lower in the north of the country than in the south. 
  • Additional requirements like plastering, lighting, painting and heating also add onto the cost. 

How Much Will I Need To Pay To Have Insulation Added To My Conservatory Roof?

If you have a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof, it may look attractive, but it won’t have much thermal insulation. You can add layers of reflective, high-quality film as well as thermal webbing to turn a conservatory into a space that is suitable for year-round use. You can expect to pay between £895 and £1850 to insulate your conservatory roof depending on your roof size and the quality of the materials you choose. 

Will My Conservatory Refurbishment Project Require Planning Permission?

In many cases, conservatory refurbishment projects require no planning permission from the local authorities. As usually conservatories are at the back of a property they have no impact on nearby roads or neighbouring properties. If you’re planning to extend your conservatory, though, you should make an application to your local council for a Certificate of Lawfulness. 

Will Rebuilding My Conservatory Be Cheaper Than Refurbishing It?

In general, the refurbishment cost for your conservatory will depend on what you want to achieve. Sometimes, it is just as cheap to entirely rebuild a conservatory in a whole new style rather than trying to go for a large-scale refurbishment. If you’re thinking about making major structural changes, asking the builder for a quotation for a rebuild instead of a refurbishment would be a good idea. That would help you make a well-informed decision about which option is right for you. 

Could I Refurbish My Own Conservatory? 

A conservatory refurbishment project will take a lot of effort and time to complete. Nevertheless, you can tackle several elements of your conservatory refurbishment yourself without too many issues. Painting and decorating your space, for example, is something that most homeowners can manage independently. 

However, complicated refurbishments involving adjustments to the foundations or glasswork require the services of a professional. You should take the time to get several quotes so that you can make clear comparisons and choose the company that gives you the best value for money.