Building Advice for your DIY Conservatory Kit
Why Would I Build a DIY Conservatory?
The usual reason most people opt for a building a DIY conservatory is to save money. The conservatory's frames, roof, double glassing and roof glazing panels will be manufactured to order and delivered on site, complete with the required installation instructions.
Another reason to choose Do-It-Yourself kits is the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that you know how the conservatory was constructed, coupled with the pride you will feel when you look at your completed "homemade" extension project.
Can I Actually Build my own Conservatory?
How much of the conservatory build you can do yourself depends upon your level of expertise, and the complexity of the conservatory. Many people employ a professional to construct the base and brickwork, then assemble and erect the frames and roof themselves on top of this pre-prepared base. If you have reasonable handy skills (it's a bit more than just putting together flat pack self-assembly furniture) then you should, with the help of the installation instructions, be able to complete the installation successfully.
If your knowledge and skills are not entirely up to scratch you could still save money by purchasing the kit on a supply only basis, and then employing a local builder or installer to complete the construction. Not strictly do-it-yourself perhaps, but it should still be significantly cheaper than buying one on a supply and fit basis.
Additional Advice for your Self Build Conservatory Kit...
- Take your measurements in millimetres. Everybody now deals in metric measurements such as meters and centimeters, so if you use old sizes such as feet and inches, it could lead to misunderstandings or mistakes, which could prove very costly.
- Check that any adjoining house walls are level. It is easy to assume when you are measuring for your DIY conservatory that the size you take at base level will be the same at the top of the frame. This is not necessarily the case.
- Check for anything that could be in the way of the frames or roof, such as downpipes, flues or upstairs windows. If in any doubt ask for further advice.
- Always be clear as to which points you are measuring from. You give us the external brickwork sizes and we will work out the actual frame sizes that you will need.
- If you order your DIY conservatory kit before the base and brickwork is completed, make sure you (or your builder) creates the base to the exact sizes required. Design and structural changes at this stage can prove costly if the conservatory base and footings are not built correctly.
- For further help you can take a look at our handy Illustrated Construction Guide.
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