Lockdown has given many of us the opportunity to finally do this DIY work in-house and take on new projects for which we previously had no time. It has never been so popular to paint walls, repair chair legs and sort out overgrown flower beds. However, larger tasks are being done and the public is becoming more adventurous with their own home improvement work. DIY conservatories are enjoying growing popularity across the country and are the perfect addition to your home this summer.
If you've never heard of DIY conservatories or want to build one yourself, we have the ultimate guide to help you make your choice.
What are DIY conservatories?
You are exactly that, a winter garden that you build yourself. But don't panic, it's a lot easier than you might think. You don't have to worry about choosing the building materials yourself and measuring the quantities. Everything will be done for you. Just like with flatpack furniture, your order arrives with the right dimensions with everything you need. Depending on your needs and wishes, various kits are available online. Some vendors can offer a fully bespoke design service, which means that your conservatory is unique and meets all specifications of your current structure.
From Victorian, modern lean-tos to orangeries, you'll definitely find a kit that suits your style. You rarely need a building permit, but it is best to contact your local council in any case. Most of these kits are incredibly easy to construct and designed even for beginners. You may want to ask the experts for some items, especially if you need electricity in the room, but most phases can be done by yourself. Complete step-by-step instructions are always provided, and many suppliers have a customer service hotline who are experts in building your conservatory so they can give you hints and tips if you get stuck. If that's not enough to convince you, DIY can save hundreds, if not thousands, of labor costs and make the new space incredibly affordable.
What should I do before ordering?
Now you know what a DIY conservatory is and are looking forward to a new project. Take some time to consider the following points before ordering.
Your current structure
Does your house need to be repaired, do the outer walls have cracks or does your garden need to be leveled first? There is little use in spending all your time, money, and effort on a new conservatory to put it at risk due to fixable problems in your current home. Take a close look and assess what needs attention before building a DIY conservatory.
Tools needed
Depending on your current toolbox, you may need to buy a few more tools to complete your DIY conservatory. Without thinking about it, this could quickly increase your expenses and cause you to over budget. Most suppliers provide a list of the required equipment on their websites. So take the time to figure out what you may need to buy or rent and add it to your final total so you don't get surprise bills.
Health & safety
No project should overlook health and safety. It is important that everyone is safe when building their DIY conservatory. They will work at height, so make sure that all the ladders you use are standard and that you can climb safely and carry yourself. Also make sure that all tools and other equipment are not damaged and safe. Using safety helmets is crucial when working at heights, especially if you have children who may want to watch what's going on. Make sure every visitor to the garden carries one.
size
You want a winter garden that offers space for any function you want. Conservatories are very versatile spaces and can be used for almost anything you can imagine. It is always a good idea to examine the furniture that may fill the room and make sure you get the aesthetics you want with the size you choose. At the same time, you don't want a winter garden that is so large that it overhauls your current garden area or is too expensive to heat. The only disadvantage of these rooms is that they are notoriously cold in winter. So if you decide to build a large room, you should consider heating in the early stages.
Overall, DIY conservatories are a current trend that we believe will stay here. Even if a DIY newbie is able to get great results, there's really no reason not to try it. So it's time to take your projects to the next level and start expanding your new home at drastically reduced costs.
