The Costs of an Orangery Extension
Darren Collins | 19th April 2016
As we outlined in the previous blog, orangeries have become a key trend in home renovation. Not to mention a sound investment. Here we dig a little deeper and look at the cost of such a plan and more specifically, the difference in price between a masonry orangery extension and a bespoke, fully framed timber conservatory / orangery.
As one might expect, a bespoke fully framed orangery, built principally in timber, will almost certainly cost more per square metre than an equivalent sized masonry orangery extension. Utilising our industry experience, Just Roof Lanterns have calculated that these types of projects are circa 30% less than a bespoke fully framed timber building.
In a recent costing exercise based on a typical extension of 20 SQM (5mx4m) with three external elevations we were able to complete some budget pricing:
Masonry orangery extension
With 3no. Independant frames (arrangements of doors and windows), roof lantern and perimeter edge fascia with guttering; recommended budget approximately £35,000 plus VAT. (This price includes no provision for preparatory and finishing building works, nor the flat roof - all by the builder).
For the builder’s work component - approx £18,000 plus VAT. (This includes foundations, insulated floor slab, facing brick cavity construction insulated dwarf walls and piers, flat roof assembly and its finishes, floor screed and internal plastering).
TOTAL: £53,000 approx plus VAT
Fully framed timber orangery
With 3no. Fully framed elevations (arrangements of doors, windows and support assemblies), perimeter roof assembly and its finishes, roof lantern and perimeter edge fascia and guttering; recommended budget approximately £56,000 plus VAT. (This price includes no provision for associated preparatory and finishing building works, the content of which is less than in above scenario).
For the builder’s work component - approx £12,000 plus VAT. (This includes foundations, insulated floor slab, facing brick cavity construction insulated dwarf walls, floor screed and internal plastering.
TOTAL: £68,000 approx plus VAT
Notes
Within each of the above, under the heading 'Builder's work' component, no allowance is included for electrics, heating, final floor finish, final decorations and hard landscaping. Similarly, no allowance is included for making a new structural opening and its finishes, giving access from the extension to the host property. All such items are too heavily dependent on individual specification to put a budget price to. One must also bear in mind that individual site conditions can have a significant influence of foundation depth and complexity.
Conclusion
And so to summarise; if you prefer to interpret your extension as a fully-framed orangery, then you should expect to pay approx. 25 to 30% more to achieve it. In contrast by opting for a masonry orangery extension with quality timber joinery (as Just Roof Lanterns provides), one is able to achieve a similar result for approximately quarter of the cost. In this sense, masonry orangery extensions offer excellent value. Whatever building type is chosen, it’s likely that it will be one of the most intricately designed and considered rooms in the house. And, if designed and built correctly, the enhancement to the additional living space will undoubtedly offer a sound investment.
How Just Roof Lanterns can help
If you are considering what we call a masonry orangery extension, then we can supply all the individual components for your project i.e. roof lantern, orangery fascia and doors. In order to do this, we usually quote from architect’s drawings but in the first instance we can provide budget prices based on some basic dimensions. And if you wish, we’d be pleased to give advice on the specific design details and help you to decide on issues such as roof lantern ventilation and glazing specification.