How to Price a Conservatory Installation: Trade Rates and Margin Guide

Quick Answer: A typical UK conservatory installation in 2026 costs £8,000–£18,000 for a small lean-to (3 × 3 m), £15,000–£28,000 for a Victorian or Edwardian style (3.5 × 3.5 m), and £25,000–£50,000+ for a P-shape, T-shape, or large bespoke conservatory. Per-m² rates are typically £1,400–£2,300 for standard PVC frames and £2,200–£3,500 for aluminium or hardwood. Conservatory installation is mostly a glazing-fitter trade with a base groundworks element; labour is typically 25–35% of the price, materials 50–65%, and overhead/margin 18–25%. Always identify whether the installation is a "thermal" conservatory (under Approved Document L) or a "Class VII exempt" conservatory before quoting — the regulatory pathway changes the cost.

Summary

Conservatories sit awkwardly between glazing trade and building trade. The structure is mostly factory-fabricated PVC, aluminium, or hardwood frames and sealed-glazed units, supplied as a modular kit that bolts together on a built-up base. The work on site is the base, the assembly, the connection to the existing dwelling, and the weather-sealing. For a 3.5 × 3.5 m conservatory, total site time is typically 2–4 weeks — far shorter than an equivalent extension.

The pricing variables differ from extensions. The base (foundation, oversite, dwarf wall) is roughly 25% of cost. The conservatory frame and glazing kit is 50–60% of cost (supplied by a manufacturer such as Ultraframe, Synseal, or specialist hardwood firms). Installation labour is 15–25%. Internal fit-out and finishing add the rest. For a competitive market price, the installer's margin is typically 12–20% — tighter than for extensions because the frame supplier captures most of the value.

The Building Regulations question is whether the conservatory is "Class VII exempt" — a separate space from the dwelling, single-storey, less than 30 m², with at least 75% of the roof and 50% of the wall area in translucent material, and separated from the dwelling by an external-quality door. Exempt conservatories do not need Building Regulations approval but cannot be used as a habitable extension to the dwelling envelope. Non-exempt conservatories (or "thermal conservatories") are treated as extensions and must meet the full thermal envelope rules, with U-values applied to glazing and walls.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Conservatory style Typical floor area PVC price (2026) Aluminium price Hardwood price
Lean-to (sunroom) 9 m² £8,000–£14,000 £12,000–£18,000 £14,000–£22,000
Lean-to (large) 16 m² £14,000–£20,000 £18,000–£26,000 £22,000–£32,000
Edwardian / Georgian 12 m² £14,000–£22,000 £20,000–£28,000 £24,000–£35,000
Victorian 12 m² £15,000–£24,000 £21,000–£30,000 £26,000–£38,000
P-shape (combo) 18–22 m² £22,000–£35,000 £30,000–£45,000 £35,000–£55,000
Orangery (related, see the orangery vs conservatory comparison) 16–20 m² £25,000–£40,000 £35,000–£50,000 £45,000–£70,000

Detailed Guidance

Class VII Exempt vs Thermal Conservatory

The first question for any conservatory quote is the regulatory pathway. The Class VII exemption (Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 2010) allows a conservatory to bypass full Building Regulations approval if it meets all of:

A Class VII exempt conservatory is treated as a "lightweight outbuilding" — it does not need to meet the dwelling's thermal envelope rules. This is why traditional conservatories are mostly unheated (or heated separately) and why the doors between conservatory and dwelling matter.

A "thermal conservatory" or any conservatory that doesn't meet Class VII exemption (e.g. wall area is too high, knocked through to the dwelling without separating doors, or main heating extended to it) is treated as a habitable extension and must comply with full Approved Document L. The cost difference is significant: thermal envelope conservatories require triple glazing or specialist low-E argon-filled units (15–25% material premium), insulated dwarf walls, and heating system extension.

The Decision: Exempt or Thermal?

For homeowners wanting a usable year-round room, the thermal conservatory or orangery route is usually the right answer. A Class VII exempt conservatory is typically too cold in winter and too hot in summer for comfortable year-round use. The "garden room" use case (occasional summer use, light winter use, separated from main dwelling) is what the exempt conservatory delivers.

For installer pricing, clarify upfront whether the homeowner expects:

The price difference between exempt and thermal conservatory of the same nominal size can be 20–35%, and the regulatory consequences of selling an exempt conservatory to a homeowner expecting thermal performance are significant — Trading Standards complaints and refund claims are routine.

Base / Substructure

Most conservatories sit on a base built up to suit the existing house DPC. Three approaches:

Concrete strip foundation + dwarf wall + slab — traditional, robust, typical for full-size conservatories. Strip foundation 600 × 600 mm, dwarf wall 600–1100 mm high in cavity construction, slab 100 mm with DPM. Cost £150–£280 per linear metre of dwarf wall plus slab £40–£70/m². Total base cost typically £3,500–£7,000 for a 3.5 × 3.5 m conservatory.

Slab on insulated raft — less foundation depth, full insulation, heated screed if underfloor heating is fitted. Suitable for thermal conservatories. £80–£140/m². Total £1,000–£1,750 for 12 m².

Pile-and-beam foundation — for difficult ground conditions (clay near trees, made ground, sloping site). Specialist groundworker required. £200–£450 per pile + £150–£250 per linear metre of beam. Premium application; rare on standard domestic conservatories.

The base must be structurally adequate for the conservatory load (typically 1.5 kN/m² live + dead load), level (within 5 mm across 4 m), and weather-sealed at the dwarf wall to slab junction.

Conservatory Frame and Glazing Kit

The conservatory frame is typically supplied by a manufacturer (Ultraframe, Synseal, Eurocell, Roseview, etc.) as a complete kit including:

Kit price for a typical 3.5 × 3.5 m PVC Edwardian: £6,000–£9,500 for the supply.

Aluminium kit equivalent: £8,500–£14,000. Hardwood kit equivalent: £11,000–£18,000.

The kit price is typically wholesale to the installer, who marks up by 25–40% for retail price to the homeowner.

Installation Labour

A standard PVC conservatory of 3.5 × 3.5 m typically takes 2-3 fitters 8–12 days to install (after base is complete):

Labour cost: 2 fitters × 12 days × £200–£300 day rate = £4,800–£7,200 for installation alone. Labourer support adds £140–£200 per day, typically 4–6 days = £560–£1,200.

Aluminium and hardwood conservatories take 30–50% longer due to slower assembly and additional finishing trades.

Internal Fit-Out

After the structure is complete, internal fit-out includes:

For an exempt conservatory, internal fit-out is typically minimal — a tile or laminate floor, basic lighting, a separate radiator on its own thermostat. For a thermal conservatory, internal fit-out is similar to a small extension and adds £2,000–£5,000.

Knock-Through Considerations

Removing the existing wall between the dwelling and conservatory converts the space into part of the dwelling envelope. This:

Cost premium: typically £4,000–£10,000 above the equivalent exempt conservatory. Architectural and structural fees added (£1,200–£2,500).

For homeowners wanting to combine a kitchen with a conservatory area, the orangery hybrid is often a better solution than a thermal conservatory — see the structural and aesthetic differences between orangery and conservatory for the comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

Most conservatories within size limits fall under permitted development (PD): single-storey rear extension limited to 4 m for terrace and 3 m for semi-detached/detached. For larger projects, PD allows extensions up to 6 m terrace / 8 m semi/detached under "neighbour notification" prior approval. Conservation areas, listed buildings, and Article 4 directions require planning permission.

How long does a conservatory take to build?

Site time: 2–4 weeks for standard PVC conservatory; 4–6 weeks for aluminium or hardwood; 6–8 weeks for large bespoke. Add 1–2 weeks for the base before the installer arrives. Total elapsed time from order to completion: 8–14 weeks (factory production lead time is typically 4–8 weeks).

What is the cheapest conservatory in the UK?

A small PVC lean-to (3 × 3 m) at £8,000–£14,000 is the cheapest standard option. Sub-£10,000 prices typically use thinner-profile frames, basic glass specifications, and simple polycarbonate roof; expect lower thermal performance and shorter service life (10–15 years versus 20–30 for standard).

Can I convert my conservatory to a permanent room?

Yes, by upgrading to a thermal envelope. Common approach: replace polycarbonate roof with a tiled or insulated solid roof (£8,000–£18,000), upgrade glazing to thermal standard, build internal walls of any glass-only sides up to dwarf-wall + insulation + finish, knock through to the dwelling. This converts a Class VII exempt conservatory into a habitable extension. Building Regulations approval is required for the change of use. Total upgrade cost: £15,000–£35,000+ depending on starting condition.

What's a fair installation margin for a conservatory installer?

Typical UK conservatory installer margins (after frame supplier discount, base cost, and labour) run 15–25% net. The frame manufacturer captures most of the value chain; installers compete on installation quality and customer service. Some installers run a "factory direct" model with higher margin (30–40%) by selling their own brand; others operate as agents of the major manufacturers. See trade pricing methodology for cost markup approach.

Regulations & Standards