[DigitDemon]

Hi, I'm based in Nottingham and going to have a conservatory installed.

I've been hunting around and there are big savings to be made if I go for the self-build option.

Has anyone gone down this route, and recommend it either way? I've been looking at doing the base via the Durabase method and would appreciate any feedback if anyone else has produced a conservatory in this way, and also any companies you can recommend?

Links to the two companies I've been looking at are as follows:

http://redbrookconservatories.com/base/base.htm#video

Durabase


Thanks.

[Morzine]

If you are half competent at DIY you will probably do a better job than most so called professional installers, mainly because you will take good care to do a proper job.

If you have never tackled DIY work before I would hesitate, but if you have already successfully done a bit of work on your home I would not hesitate.

Just read up on all the skills required, ask for help and advice from knowledgeable friends and take it slowly and steadily. You can always employ a professional to do any bits you can’t handle yourself, but most of the work is probably fairly easy.

Good luck.

[DigitDemon]

Thanks for that. I'm fairly competent at DIY and will have the help of my Dad who is of a similar level.

Was worried cause its quite a step up from anything I've done before, but apparently these kits claim to be precision made and okay to fit together.

[Morzine]

Originally Posted by DigitDemon

...I'm fairly competent at DIY and will have the help of my Dad who is of a similar level...Was worried cause its quite a step up from anything I've done before, but apparently these kits claim to be precision made and okay to fit together.

In which case you should have no problems doing a good job.

Without wishing to insult those who install conservatories, I doubt that many of them are trained and qualified tradesmen themselves.

If you and your Dad are experienced and competent at DIY, not only will you be able to do a very good job, you will probably enjoy the work. You will also save a lot of money and you will get a great deal of satisfaction seeing and using the conservatory that you have built yourself.

Good luck and report on progress.

[deep_27]

DIY IT! Go for it and get it done before the cold comes in! (just incase you do need time to get professionals in to finish up)

[SULLA]

Originally Posted by Morzine

If you are half competent at DIY you will probably do a better job than most so called professional installers, mainly because you will take good care to do a proper job.

If you have never tackled DIY work before I would hesitate, but if you have already successfully done a bit of work on your home I would not hesitate.

Just read up on all the skills required, ask for help and advice from knowledgeable friends and take it slowly and steadily. You can always employ a professional to do any bits you can’t handle yourself, but most of the work is probably fairly easy.

Good luck.

Best of luck with the 3 ft wall with cavity insullation, the power points and central heating.

[DigitDemon]

Originally Posted by SULLA

Best of luck with the 3 ft wall with cavity insullation, the power points and central heating.

As far as the base goes, I'm looking at Durabase at the moment (link in my first post), which is a modular setup, premade to your conservatory size. Was hoping that others had used and could report on. If I go for the true dwarf wall, will get in a builder to do that I think.

I have a leccy mate who can do the power points for me, and apparently you're not allowed central heating in a conservatory as that deams it to be an extension which falls under planning permission and building regulations.

[Morzine]

Originally Posted by SULLA

Best of luck with the 3 ft wall with cavity insullation, the power points and central heating.

Laying the bricks will require a fair degree of skill but the insulation comes in sheets that are a doddle to install as the wall is built. Adding power points and extending CH is very easy if you have done a bit of this type of work before. As I say below the only really hard part will be building a nice looking wall. Nothing else is beyond the competence of a decent DIYer though the new electrical and heating regulations should be considered.

Originally Posted by DigitDemon

As far as the base goes, I'm looking at Durabase at the moment (link in my first post), which is a modular setup, premade to your conservatory size. Was hoping that others had used and could report on. If I go for the true dwarf wall, will get in a builder to do that I think…I have a leccy mate who can do the power points for me, and apparently you're not allowed central heating in a conservatory as that deams it to be an extension which falls under planning permission and building regulations.

The bricklaying will probably be the hardest part to get right if neither you nor your Dad have done it before and uneven and badly done brickwork will look awful. However, as you say you can get a brickie in to build the wall and any necessary foundations.

I like a challenge so personally I would give it a try yourself first. If you screw up and just cannot get it right then you can stop and get the expert in. But I would have thought that two experienced DIYers could manage to build a decent dwarf wall between you. How hard can it be to dig a small trench for the foundations, lay concrete and then lay bricks neatly? It might take you a while but think of the pleasure of getting it right yourself. Just make sure you are not digging into water, drainage or any other service pipes and ensue that the foundations are deep enough for the job.

I do all my own electrics though I think that is illegal now since new regulations in January so getting an electrician mate in makes sense. You can always do the work with him to save time and costs.

I was unaware of the central heating rule. I suppose you could just install an electric heater. Without wishing to appear to encourage you to break the regulations, ask yourself who is going to know or find out about the CH?.