Conservatories are substantially built structure that have detailed foundations like many any other building project. We can supply your DIY conservatory in kit form - we can also offer full bespoke building service (GOLD PACKAGE) or quote for any part of the job. Here are the typical steps that occur once work is about to take place......

1. Select your site.
2. Allocate a storage area as space may be required for a skip during the
   groundwork stage.
3. The ground is cleared as part of the preparation process.
4. The outline of the dwarf walls are calculated & marked out as per your plans.
5. Construction work begins with the digging of the strip footings.
6. Footings are dug to a minimum depth of 450mm - this will vary depending on the ground conditions.
7. Concrete is poured into the ‘trench’ to form the foundations.
8. The concrete is floated to form a level surface area to build upon.
9. Any drainage pipes will be identified, protected and ‘bridged’ by concrete lintels. care must also be taken to identify and protect any gas, electric or 'phone cabling. The positioning and routing of services in and out of a property can produce some real hazards. It is advisable to instruct a professional groundwork company or a reputable builder to carry out such works.
10. The outer leaf of the cavity wall is built to just below outside ground level.
11. The inner leaf of the cavity wall is built to the inner floor level.
12. Any existing air bricks can be transferred through the base work.
13. Hardcore is laid and compacted to a minimum 100mm deep. A blinding screen of sand is laid over the hardcore (this stops the waterproof membrane and insulation, that sits above, being punctured or distorted).
14. Floor insulation and a damp proof membrane are laid over the sand.
15. Concrete (100mm thick) is laid to bring the slab up to the finished floor level.
16. The concrete is floated to a smooth surface level.
17. Cavity trays may be installed depending on the porosity of the house masonry. Otherwise a standard flashing is used.
18. The remaining dwarf walls are built to match the existing brickwork or as requested by the homeowner.
19. The dwarf walls are built to the height agreed and should include insulation in the cavity wall.
    
    OUR SILVER PACKAGE STARTS HERE
    
    
20. The uPVC external cill is fitted to the dwarf wall and the erection of the side frames begins.
21. The side frames are ‘stitched’ together.
22. On completion of the frames the structural aluminium eaves beam is fitted to the head of the frames.
23. The doorframe is fitted to the side frames and dwarf walls.
24. The ridge and starter bars are fixed into place.
25. All the glazing bars are fixed from the eaves beam to the ridge
26. The chosen glazing panels or sealed units are installed.
27. If specified in the plans, a vent will be installed into the conservatory roof.
28. The glazing is installed into the side frames.
29. The door is glazed.
30. All the finishing touches are added to the conservatory, including the sealing of the side frames against the house wall.
31. The PVC internal cladding are clipped onto the eaves beam and ridge to complete the internal trims.

Please think about the following issues...

Notify your household insurer that works is taking place. Remember to inform them that the re-building costs of your home and new conservatory will be greater too.

If, when discussing your conservatory design / specification / construction, you don’t understand anything, always ask. Misunderstandings and wrong assumptions made during the early stages of your project will almost certainly lead to costly
rectification work.

If the conservatory is to extend over existing parts of your garden or indeed ornamental pond, you would want to arrange to move them prior to work starting.

In the light of all the above, you will certainly want to have a dialogue with your neighbours, to let them know what is happening and to make sure they are not upset by construction work or vehicle movements.