Projects 4 Roofing Blog | Conservatory Roof Conversion

Understanding the costs of your conservatory roof replacement

Written by Clare Whitehall | Nov 24, 2023

If you’re thinking about replacing or upgrading your conservatory roof, you might be full of questions. 

What’s better - a glass, polycarbonate, or solid roof conservatory? What kind of building regulations process do you need to go through? Which solution will help you avoid those pesky leaks and draughts?

But perhaps the biggest question you’re weighing up is how much your conservatory roof replacement project will cost and which factors influence the cost of a new conservatory roof.

That’s what we will address in this article - walking you through the main areas that contribute to the price of your conservatory roof replacement so you’re in a better place to make an informed decision.

 



Which factors influence the cost of a conservatory roof?


Many things contribute to your final quotation when estimating the cost of a conservatory roof replacement.


Materials

One of the most significant factors that impact the cost of your conservatory roof replacement is the materials you choose to use. 

Polycarbonate and glass roofs are often cheaper than a solid, insulated conservatory roof. But they also come with common drawbacks, such as allowing heat to escape through your roof, extremes of temperature in summer and winter months, allowing external noises to interrupt your peace and quiet, and an increased risk of draughts, leaks, condensation, and mould. 

Investing in an insulated solid conservatory roof can help to overcome these issues. Although the initial cost may be slightly higher, you can have a more energy-efficient conservatory (with cheaper ongoing energy bills!), a stable temperature all year round, better insulation from outside noises, and the peace of mind of finally being rid of leaks or condensation. 

If you do opt for a solid roof conservatory, your choice of tiles can also influence your roof replacement cost. 


Size

The size of your conservatory is another critical cost factor. Naturally, a larger conservatory roof replacement requires more materials and labour, which can add to the total cost. 
However, it's worth remembering that while larger conservatories might have higher initial costs, they can deliver greater value in the long term in terms of providing additional space for you and your family to enjoy and increasing the value of your home.

 

Labour

At Projects4Roofing, we don’t tend to split costs out by materials and labour. We find that our customers prefer the simplicity of having a single price for the full installation. 

But in terms of listing the factors that influence the price of your conservatory roof replacement, the cost of manual labour is also important to consider. 

A new solid conservatory roof is something that should last for a couple of decades - if it’s installed correctly by trained professionals.

So it’s important not to be tempted to choose a conservatory roof installation partner based on price alone - always check their testimonials, trading history and look at their accreditations.
 
 



Additional features

If you’re looking for additional features for your conservatory roof replacement, such as a skylight - this can also add to your overall cost.

How much is added to the project cost depends on your options. 

For example, a basic Velux window will be less expensive than a solar-powered version with a remote control. 

The additional features you opt for will all depend on your personal needs and preferences. Discussing this with your conservatory roof replacement partner in your initial meeting is important. 


Admin and Building Regulations

You’ll be pleased to know that the majority of conservatory roof replacement projects won’t require any planning permission - so that should be a weight off your mind. 

However, like any structural work to your property - any solid conservatory roof will require building regulations approval, which can come with time and cost considerations. 

This is something that is often overlooked by homeowners when they are considering a conservatory roof replacement - so it’s worth keeping in mind when you’re evaluating any proposals (at Projects4Roofing we manage this for you! As a plus, the application fee for Building Regulations is also included in our quotation.) 

 

When it comes to tiles, do all tiles cost the same?


Simply put, no. When you choose a solid conservatory roof replacement, different tiles are available, and they all come with different prices  

At Projects4Roofing, we work with Metrotile roof tiles or Tapco roof slates.


When it comes to labour costs, does the number of people working on the project affect the quote?


At Projects4Roofing, we offer a price for the entire conservatory roof replacement job.

Normally, we would allocate two roofers to work on a project, but an extra team might be added on the first day for larger roofs, as we want to get the old roof removed and the new roof installed and made watertight by the end of the day. If this were to happen, you don’t need to worry about extra costs!


Does getting planning permission or building regulations approval incur any additional fees?


As we touched on earlier, there aren't many cases where you need planning permission for a conservatory roof replacement. 

However, if you're in a conservation area or you have a listed building, then you may be the exception to the rule and need to submit a planning permission application. There will be additional fees for this. 

But for most homeowners, you’ll only need to consider building regulations approval. 

At Projects4Roofing we do our best to make this easy for you. We handle both the paperwork and the costs of getting building regulations approval, so you don’t need to worry about it at all. 

 

Is it easy to get accurate quotes in the roofing market right now?


At the minute, the price of the materials used in your conservatory roof replacement is fluctuating on a regular basis. 

So while it’s possible to get an accurate quote, what a lot of homeowners are finding is that the quote is valid for a shorter period than usual.

This isn’t a pressure-selling ploy by roofing companies. It’s simply because, with so much uncertainty over the price of materials, they don’t want to leave themselves open to a loss-making project in 12 months' time should the price of materials shoot up. 

But just because quotes are valid for a shorter period of time, it doesn’t mean you should feel pressured to make a decision. Choosing to replace your conservatory roof is a significant investment that shouldn’t be rushed. 

It’s important to choose the right conservatory roof replacement partner, that has a host of testimonials, accreditations , and is able to deliver the conservatory of your dreams. 

If you’re considering upgrading to a solid roof conservatory, why not speak to Projects4Roofing for a transparent, no-obligation quote? Our team is here and ready to help - just give us a call at 01638 507730 or email us at info@projects4roofing.co.uk