Conservatory to extension · South Holland
Conservatory replacement in Spalding
Too hot in summer, too cold in winter? We take the old conservatory down and build a proper insulated room in its place — usually opened into the house so it becomes part of the kitchen.
Conservatory replacement
What’s included
- Old conservatory and base taken down and cleared
- New footings where the old base isn’t up to it
- Brick and block walls with a flat, parapet or pitched roof
- Steels to open the old back wall into the new room
- Insulated and plastered, ready for the kitchen fitters
- Bifolds, windows and electrics by trusted local trades
Why replace it rather than repair it
A conservatory’s glass roof and thin walls lose heat in winter and trap it in summer, so the room sits empty for half the year. A solid extension with an insulated roof and walls is a room you can use all year, and opening it into the house makes the whole ground floor feel bigger.
Two recent jobs
Both started the same way: an old conservatory on the back of the house.
On the first, we built a new extension with a parapet wall above the flat roof, then fitted steels to the old outside wall and to an internal wall we took out. The result is one open kitchen and dining space under a roof lantern.
On the second, we fitted picture-frame steels where the old outside wall stood, so the house and the extension became one room, with full-width bifolds opening onto the garden.
Can the old base be reused?
Sometimes. Conservatory bases are often built for a light frame, not solid walls and a heavy roof, so building control will want to see what’s there. If it isn’t suitable, we dig new footings. We check at the site visit and price for the right option, so there are no surprises once work starts.
How a project runs
From the first visit to handover
Free site visit
We look at the space, talk through ideas and give an honest view on what’s possible.
Plans and approvals
Drawings, structural calculations and building control sorted before anything starts.
Clear written quote
What’s included, what isn’t, and a fair, transparent price.
The build
Our own team on the tools, with trusted local trades for plumbing, electrics and glazing.
Sign-off and handover
Building control sign-off, a walk-round together and a tidy site left behind.
Questions
Conservatory replacement: common questions
Can my old conservatory base be reused?
Sometimes, but often not. Conservatory bases are usually built to carry a light frame, not solid walls and a heavy roof, so building control will want to see what’s there. If the footings aren’t deep or wide enough, we take them out and dig new ones. We check at the site visit and price for the right option.
Do I need planning permission for a single-storey extension?
Often not. Many single-storey rear extensions count as permitted development: up to 3 metres deep on a semi or terraced house, 4 metres on a detached house, and no more than 4 metres high. Bigger ones, up to 6 or 8 metres, can go through the council’s prior approval process. Listed buildings, conservation areas and some newer estates have different rules, so check with South Holland District Council first.
Do I need building regulations approval?
Yes, for almost every extension, garage conversion and structural alteration, even when you don’t need planning permission. Building control check the foundations, steels, insulation, drainage and fire safety as the work goes on, then issue a completion certificate. Keep it safe: your buyer’s solicitor will ask for it when you sell.
Can we live at home during the build?
Yes, almost always. Most of an extension is built from the outside while your existing back wall stays in place. The knock-through comes near the end, when we seal off the work area with dust sheets and screens. If the kitchen is being opened up, expect to be without part of it for a while; we plan that with you.
How much does an extension cost in Spalding?
It depends mainly on the size, the roof, how much of the house is opened up and the finish you choose. Our extension cost guide explains what drives the price, with typical ranges from our own jobs. For a firm figure, we’ll visit and give you a written quote.
Got a conservatory you never use?
We’ll come and look, talk through the options and give you a clear written quote.