What is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?

A conservatory has mostly glass walls and a glass or polycarbonate roof. An orangery has brick pillars forming 25-30% of the perimeter, a solid insulated flat roof, and a central glazed lantern. Orangeries are substantially better insulated, feel like a proper room, and cost £25,000-£60,000 versus £8,000-£25,000 for a conservatory.

Do I need building regulations for a conservatory?

Most conservatories are exempt from building regulations if they have a floor area under 30 square metres, an external door separating them from the main house, independent heating controls, and safety glazing below 800mm. Remove the door, connect to the main heating system, or exceed 30m2 and building regulations will apply.

How long does it take to build a conservatory?

A lean-to takes 3-5 days on site. Victorian and Edwardian styles take 5-10 days. A P-shaped or gable conservatory takes 1-2 weeks. An orangery takes 3-6 weeks. The full project from initial quote to completion typically runs 6-14 weeks, including lead time for manufacturing.

Updated May 2026

How Much Does a Conservatory Cost in the UK?

Q: Does a conservatory add value to a house?

A well-built conservatory can add 5-10% to property value according to estate agent data and Which? research. Orangeries, which function more like a proper room, typically add more. Quality of build, year-round usability, and planning compliance all affect the value uplift.

Q: Is a conservatory cold in winter?

A standard conservatory with a polycarbonate roof can drop to 6-10 degrees Celsius on a cold UK winter day without additional heating. The solution is a tiled warm roof (which brings the temperature up to 12-16 degrees), triple glazing, or underfloor heating. An orangery, with its insulated solid roof, is naturally much warmer.

From £5,000 for a lean-to to £60,000+ for a bespoke orangery. Enter your size below to get a 2026 estimate in seconds.

Based on FMB, Checkatrade, and Which? verified trade data

Calculate your cost Planning guide

Quick Answer: 2026 Conservatory Prices

Lean-to

£5,000 - £12,000

Most affordable

Victorian / Edwardian

£11,000 - £25,000

What Will Your Conservatory Cost?

Enter your dimensions, style, and material for a personalised 2026 estimate.

Conservatory Cost Calculator

Enter your details for a 2026 price estimate. Based on FMB, Checkatrade, and Which? data.

Style

Size

Width (m)

Depth (m)

Floor area: 12.0 m2

Frame material

Roof type

Region

Glazing

Base / foundation

Include electrics (sockets, lighting, +£800)

Estimated Total Cost

£14,800 to £30,300

Indicative estimate only. Obtain 3 written quotes.

Cost Breakdown

Frame + glazing (4m x 3m)£11,000 - £24,000

Roof upgrade+£1,500 - £2,500

Base / foundation£1,500 - £3,000

Electrics+£800

Excludes: flooring, heating, furniture, VAT where applicable, planning fees. VAT is typically 20% on labour and materials.

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Choose Your Conservatory Style

Six styles to suit every home, garden, and budget.

Lean-to

Most affordable

£5,000 - £12,000

Single-pitch roof leaning against the house. Simplest geometry, lowest cost. Perfect for narrow gardens or bungalows.

Build time: 3-5 days

Full guide and prices

Victorian

Classic choice

£12,000 - £25,000

Multi-faceted bay front with a steeply pitched roof and ornate ridge crestings. The quintessential UK conservatory.

Build time: 5-10 days

Full guide and prices

Edwardian

Best for space

£11,000 - £24,000

Rectangular footprint with a hipped roof. Maximises usable floor area - 100% of footprint versus 85% for a Victorian bay.

Build time: 5-10 days

Full guide and prices

Gable-end

Dramatic height

£15,000 - £28,000

Steeply pitched roof with a vertical gable panel. Creates impressive height and floods the interior with light.

Build time: 7-14 days

Full guide and prices

P-shaped

Two zones

£15,000 - £35,000

Combines a Victorian or Edwardian section with a lean-to wing, creating distinct dining and lounge zones.

Build time: 1-2 weeks

Full guide and prices

Orangery

Premium option

£25,000 - £60,000+

Brick pillars, solid insulated perimeter roof, central glazed lantern. Functions like a proper room. Best insulation and value uplift.

Build time: 3-6 weeks

Full guide and prices

Cost by Size

Floor area is the single biggest driver of conservatory cost. These bands cover most UK installs.

Size / Footprint	Approx area	Typical use	uPVC cost range	Planning note
3m x 3m	9 m2	Home office, breakfast room	£8,000 - £14,000	Usually PD
4m x 3m	12 m2	Dining room, garden room	£11,000 - £18,000	Usually PD
5m x 3m	15 m2	Dining + lounge zone	£14,000 - £22,000	Check 50% garden rule
5m x 4m	20 m2	Open-plan living area	£18,000 - £28,000	Check 50% garden rule
6m x 4m	24 m2	Large open-plan kitchen-diner	£22,000 - £38,000	May need permission

Prices include uPVC frames, glass roof, dwarf wall base, and electrics. Source: FMB 2026 cost index, Checkatrade verified quotes.

Cost by Material

Frame material is the second biggest cost variable after size. Here is how the three main options compare.

Material	Typical cost band	Lifespan	Market share	Best for
uPVC	£8,000 - £18,000	20-25 years	~80%	Value, low maintenance, most styles
Aluminium	£12,000 - £30,000	40+ years	~15%	Slim sightlines, larger spans, modern homes
Hardwood / Timber	£18,000 - £45,000+	30-50 years	~5%	Period properties, premium finish, heritage look

Full materials comparison: uPVC vs aluminium vs timber

Does a Conservatory Add Value?

A well-built conservatory can add 5-10% to the market value of your home, according to estate agent research and Which? data. That is broadly in line with the cost of a mid-range Edwardian or Victorian build, making it one of the few home improvements that nearly breaks even on resale.

The caveats: quality matters more than size. A poorly built or cold conservatory can actively reduce buyer interest. Year-round usability - achieved through a tiled warm roof, quality glazing, and proper heating - is what turns a conservatory from a "nice-to-have" into a genuine selling point.

Orangeries, which function as a proper room in the eyes of estate agents, typically add more value than glass conservatories. If budget allows, the upgrade from conservatory to orangery is often worth considering.

Adds Value When...

Well built with quality materials and a reputable installer
Year-round usable (warm roof or proper heating)
Planning compliant with proper documentation
Proportionate to the house and garden

Can Harm Value If...

Built without planning or building regs where required
Blocks light from the main house
Poor quality or showing signs of failure
Takes up more than half the garden

Planning Permission and Building Regs

Planning Permission

Most conservatories do not need planning permission. They fall under permitted development rights as long as they are single storey, below 4 metres in height, and cover less than 50% of the garden. Listed buildings and conservation areas are exceptions.

Full planning guide

Building Regulations

Most conservatories are exempt from building regulations if the floor area is under 30 square metres, there is an external door separating the conservatory from the house, and heating is independent from the main system. Orangeries and converted conservatories will usually require approval.

Building regs explained

Conservatory vs Extension vs Garden Room

Not sure which is right for you? Here is how the three main options compare.

Feature	Conservatory	Extension	Garden Room	Orangery
Typical cost	£8k - £35k	£30k - £80k+	£15k - £40k	£25k - £60k+
Build time	1-3 weeks	8-20 weeks	2-6 weeks	3-6 weeks
Planning permission	Usually not needed	Often required	Usually not needed	Usually not needed
Building regulations	Usually exempt	Always required	Often exempt	Usually required
Winter warmth	Needs heating or warm roof	Fully insulated	Good with insulation	Much better than conservatory
Value added	5-10%	10-20%	Neutral to positive	5-15%

Detailed comparison: conservatory vs extension vs garden room

Common Conservatory Questions

How much does a conservatory cost in the UK in 2026?

A lean-to conservatory costs £5,000 to £12,000. Victorian or Edwardian styles cost £11,000 to £25,000. A P-shaped conservatory costs £15,000 to £35,000. An orangery costs £25,000 to £60,000+. Use our calculator above to get an estimate based on your exact size, style, and material.

What is the 3x3 conservatory cost in 2026?

A 3m x 3m (9 square metre) conservatory costs approximately £8,000 to £14,000 in uPVC with a glass roof. A Victorian or Edwardian 3x3 in uPVC costs £12,000 to £15,000. Hardwood at the same size runs £22,000 to £28,000. Enter 3 and 3 in the width/depth fields of our calculator above for a personalised estimate.

What is the 4m x 3m conservatory cost?

A 4m x 3m conservatory in uPVC with a glass roof typically costs £11,000 to £18,000. Victorian or Edwardian at this size: £14,000 to £20,000. Aluminium: £18,000 to £28,000. Region also affects price: London and the South East add approximately 25% to these figures.

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

Most conservatories fall under permitted development (PD) rights and do not require planning permission. PD applies when the conservatory is single storey, extends no more than 3 metres from an attached house (or 4 metres from a detached), is no higher than 4 metres, and covers less than 50% of the garden. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and properties with removed PD rights must apply. See our full planning guide.

Do I need building regulations approval?

Most conservatories are exempt from building regulations if they have a floor area under 30 square metres, are separated from the main house by an external-quality door, have independent heating controls, and use safety glazing. Orangeries require building regs approval because of their solid roof. See our building regulations guide for the full exemption test.

Is a conservatory cold in winter?

A standard uPVC conservatory with a polycarbonate roof can reach as low as 6 to 10 degrees Celsius in winter without additional heating. The main solutions are upgrading to a tiled warm roof (£4,000 to £15,000 depending on size), installing underfloor heating (£2,500 to £5,000 for a wet system), or upgrading to triple glazing. An orangery, with its insulated solid perimeter roof, is naturally substantially warmer.

What is the cheapest type of conservatory?

A lean-to conservatory is the cheapest option, starting from around £5,000 for a 2m x 2m uPVC unit with a polycarbonate roof. For a genuinely comfortable space with a glass roof and proper electrics, budget £9,000 to £12,000 for a 3m x 3m lean-to. Edwardian and Victorian conservatories in uPVC at the same size start from around £12,000.

Does a conservatory add value to a house?

A well-built, year-round-usable conservatory can add 5-10% to property value. Quality of build, usability in winter, and planning compliance are the key factors. A poorly built conservatory that is cold in winter can actually deter buyers. Orangeries, which function as a proper room, typically add more value than standard glass conservatories.

All conservatory questions answered

Our Price Data Methodology

Price ranges on this site are compiled by triangulating data from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 2026 cost index, Checkatrade verified installer quotes, Which? conservatory pricing reports, MyJobQuote data, Homebuilding and Renovating supplier surveys, and direct quotes from FMB-registered installers across five UK regions. We update figures every six months.

conservatorycost.com is an independent consumer information site. We are not affiliated with any conservatory manufacturer, installer, or trade body. Prices are indicative estimates. Always obtain at least three written quotes.

View all sources and methodology