Trade Conservatories 2 U | Self Build Conservatories | Survey Tips

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Building and Construction

Survey Tips

Once you have decided on the size and design of your new self build conservatory it will be necessary to carry out a survey of the area to confirm the sizes prior to ordering.

At this point you should pay particular attention to existing pipe and drain outlets to make sure that they will not be affected by your new conservatory installation. Manhole covers can normally be replaced with sealed covers that will still be accessible should your drains ever need unblocking. Flues and underground drain pipes need not be a problem as they can normally be rerouted but you should seek professional advice. If you are using a builder to construct your base they will normally be happy to advise and undertake any changes for you.

Lay out the proposed conservatory in its position, deciding on the best position for the double or single door and in the case of double doors, which door leaf you will require as the master(main)door when viewed from the outside. If the doors are fitted directly against a wall we recommend the door leaf furthest away from the wall be used as the master door. You will also need to decide on the position of the rainwater outlet.

Tools/Materials Required

The following points are provided as a guide and are not intended as survey instructions. If you have any doubts please consult a professional surveyor.

Entrance from the house

In order to comply with current building regulations, the door from your house into the conservatory must be an external type door.

Internal Sizes vs External Sizes

Note that the internal size quoted by any conservatory supplier is normally the internal frame size(internal face of the external brickwork)and not the internal floor size which will depend on the size of the cavity you require and the internal brick or blockwork size. For manufacturing purposes the internal frame sizes are used to set out the conservatory.

Is the existing house wall plumb?

Always check that your house wall is plumb. If it leans in or out adjustments will need to be made to either the conservatory roof or the dwarf wall at the design stage to ensure a trouble free installation.

Gas Flues

Diverting fumes from an existing gas flue is not recommended and you should consult a CORGI gas installer for assistance. It is recommended that a gas flue is a minimum of 300mm away from the conservatory wall and a deflector is fitted to avoid constant heat aimed at the PVCu frames

Is there a height restriction?

Check the height of any windows or other obstructions that are above the intended site of the conservatory. The pitch of the roof can normally be lowered to accomodate.

Rainwater Outlet

Determine the position of the outlet and whether this will link to existing system or if a new soakaway is required.

Ventilation

South facing properties endure long hours of constant sunshine during the summer months and we recommend that you consider specifying a manual or electric roof vent and additional opening window vents to ensure maximum ventilation during the summer months. Check out our Climate Control page for guidance on ensuring your conservatory becomes an all year round extension to your home.

Sewers

If your conservatory is being built over a public sewer you will need a 'Building over a sewer agreement' obtainable from your local Building Control authority.

Access to the site

Think about delivery access to your intended site especially if your house is terraced. For confined access a steel base may be the best solution.