How much does a conservatory cost?

The price of a new conservatory or orangery varies dramatically based on what type of structure you choose, how big it is and what materials it's made from. But there are things you can do to keep the costs down and stay within your budget.

We've worked with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to bring you the average cost for three different sizes of conservatory. Plus, we've contacted conservatory firms across the UK, grilled experts and got the lowdown from more than 100 conservatory owners, to find out how you could save money.

Keep scrolling for our research and tips on how to choose the right type of conservatory for your home and budget.

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How much does a conservatory cost on average?

Conservatory prices vary considerably, and it can be hard to know whether you are getting a good deal. That's why we've worked with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which publishes average building work and repair costs, to bring you the average price of a conservatory*.

The costs are based on a standard conservatory with a glass roof and 600mm-high (dwarf) brick walls on all three sides. Estimated totals include the conservatory itself and installation. 

We have costs for two different types of structure:

• Type 1: Conservatories that are fitted to the back of a house and accessed through an existing door.
• Type 2: Conservatories with a new opening that are integrated into your home through a pair of glazed doors.

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Attached garden room costs

Garden rooms can provide a distraction-free working space, but they don't come cheap. If you're thinking of building one, you need to know how much you should set aside for the project.

Working with RICS, we've rounded up estimated costs for the following garden room floor sizes:

• 3 x 3 metres
• 4 x 4 metres
• 6 x 4 metres

Which? members can log in now to find out how much a garden rooms costs. Not yet a member? Join Which? for instant access to all our home improvements advice.

Is a conservatory cheaper than an extension?

Building an extension is usually more expensive than adding a conservatory to your home. You'll likely need to use pricier materials and there might be increased labour costs due to the scale of the project.

Before you begin, consider VAT and the fact that most builders take payments in stages. Working with a building contractor or architect will cost you more, too.

For more, consult our guide: Extension costs – how much should you expect to pay?

Different types of conservatory

There are a lot of options for the type of conservatory you get and materials you can use. If you want a conservatory that's more like an extension with a solid roof, then you can expect to pay more. A garden room measuring 3 x 3 metres with an opening made into your home and double doors would cost from £34,200 to £46,150.

You can also get more basic types of conservatory, which are all glass, without any brickwork. This type is typically cheaper than the prices in our table, depending on what other options you go for.

To help you decide which structure you need, read our FREE guide to the types of conservatory

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Extra conservatory costs

Be aware that your initial quote might not be the final amount you pay, as there could be other costs added on as the project progresses.

Experts told us that, in general, things that may increase the cost of your conservatory include: 

• bigger floorplan – the larger the footprint of your conservatory, the more it's likely to cost, particularly if you need planning permission
• more complex foundations – the height of your conservatory and whether any drains or trees/roots need to be moved will increase the cost
• opening up existing walls – whether you have your conservatory added to the back of your home or integrated with a new opening can make a big difference to how much you pay
• better-quality materials – high-spec building materials, such as specialist glass, will increase costs
• doors and windows – the number of opening windows and doors and the way they open will affect the cost
• fixtures, fittings and furniture – electrical sockets, TV aerial points, blinds, flooring, furniture and heating will all push costs up.

Top tip: It’s important to make sure you check exactly what’s included in your quote when you shop around. Once you're keen to go with a company, ask for a written breakdown of the costs so you know exactly what you're getting for your money. 

In some cases, you may end up paying less than the original quote, but don't rely on this being the case.

Read our guide to conservatory regrets and how to avoid them to discover the most common and costly issues

Will my conservatory or orangery affect my home insurance?

Your insurer needs to know about any changes that alter your home’s structure, habitability, security or value. Adding a conservatory or orangery will give you additional space in your home and may increase its value. These changes will likely affect your buildings and contents insurance premiums.

Give your insurer several weeks’ notice. If you forget to tell them about changes to your home then the terms of your policy may be invalid when you try to make a claim.

Conservatory checklist

Use our downloadable conservatory checklist to clarify what you need to consider when buying a conservatory – and what might cost extra.

How to keep the price of your conservatory down

1. Think about the size of the conservatory

Size is a major factor. A smaller conservatory will keep costs down, but many people we asked said they regretted not buying a bigger one.

It's worth thinking about the materials you choose, too. Building from more substantial materials, such as more bricks or a solid roof, can make a conservatory a more comfortable temperature.

2. Think about how you'll use your conservatory

The best way to control costs is to be clear on what you want to use the conservatory for – after all, there’s no point in paying for unnecessary features you won't use. Extras such as electrical sockets, roof vents and underfloor heating are likely to add to the cost, so think carefully about whether you'll need these.

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3. Try negotiating with the conservatory company

See if you can negotiate on price. We've heard from people who managed to more than halve costs by haggling with the salesperson. 

One conservatory owner we asked said: 'The salesman started at a cost of £85,000, and over three to four hours we got it down to £35,000 with various discounts.'

Also, try shopping out of season. Spring is the most popular time for people to buy conservatories, so see if you can go off-peak to get a discount. Not all firms offer this, but it's definitely worth asking.

Conservatory extras worth the price

Keeping costs down is great, but you don't want to make any false economies you may later regret. It’s worth paying more to make your new room more comfortable.

Heating and cooling your conservatory

Temperature plays a key role in how useable and comfortable your conservatory will be. So the materials your conservatory is made of, as well as any heating or cooling systems you install, are crucial. 

One conservatory owner warned: 'As I decided not to have heating or air conditioning due to the extra expense, I am not surprised that there are issues with my conservatory overheating or being too cold.'

When it comes to heating, there are a lot of options to consider. You'll have to choose whether to extend the pipework of your central heating, install independent underfloor heating or just rely on vents, fans and portable electric heaters or air conditioning units.

For ideas on how to cool and heat your conservatory, read our FREE guide to conservatory interiors

Glass vs polycarbonate conservatory roofs: which is cheaper?

A polycarbonate plastic roof is likely to be cheaper than a glass roof, but the experts we spoke to warned this could be a false economy. Polycarbonate roofs can be noisier and less efficient at keeping the room at a consistent temperature. They also let in less light.

Some of the people we spoke to also recommended solid roofs to help control extreme temperatures - although these can make the rest of your home feel darker.

Top tip: Splashing out on specialist glass can be worthwhile. Glass technology has evolved considerably over the past few years and now includes thermally efficient and self-cleaning types.

Tinted glass can also make a difference when it comes to glare. Although, depending on what blinds you plan to use and the direction your conservatory faces, it may not be necessary.

Keeping construction costs down

Site access

The access to the site of your new conservatory will substantially affect the cost.

If your builders can get a small digger into your garden, it will save time – and therefore money – when digging the foundations. For example, a small digger could handle the foundations of a regular conservatory in a day, whereas dug by hand it could take about three days.

Top tip: There are ways to improve your access – you may be able to take side gates off their hinges or ask whether a neighbour would be happy to allow access over their property.

DIY conservatories

Getting your hands dirty will also keep costs down. But be warned: it can be a big job and is really only suitable for DIY experts. You can buy 'off the shelf' conservatories from DIY shops and install them yourself. 

One Which? member who did this said: 'It's a project not for the faint-hearted. Knowledge of building and building regulations is needed. 

'The trade-off for a DIY conservatory is price. I saved more than £2,500 over the cheapest quote for supply and fit.'

Replacing an old conservatory

Similarly, you may also be able to save cash if you're replacing an old conservatory with a new one of a similar size, as sometimes the existing base can be reused.

Home improvements checklist

To help you avoid other issues with your build, our home improvements checklist will help you ensure you've done all you can to stick to time and budget.

*RICS uses cost data from its Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database, where costs are collated from a variety of sources and analysed.

Materials costs are based on the best trade prices from a range of suppliers across the UK, which are then benchmarked to reveal the best national average. Labour rates are based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement. It then uses this data in a standardised model of the average conservatory types. Data copyright RICS 2023, reproduced with permission. Data is current as of December 2023.