How much does a conservatory cost in the UK?
A conservatory costs £14,000 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £5,000 and £35,000 installed. Style and size: Lean-to £5,000 to £10,000; Victorian £10,000 to £20,000; Orangery £20,000 to £35,000. Prices reviewed June 2026.
A conservatory is priced by its size and style, then by the roof you choose. A small lean-to is the cheapest way in, and a tiled or solid roof adds the most.
Conservatory cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your conservatory in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
To price the whole job, use the conservatory cost calculator or conservatory roof replacement cost calculator.
Conservatory cost breakdown
Typical conservatory costs, by option:
| Style and size | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Lean-to / small | £5,000 to £10,000 |
| Victorian / Edwardian | £10,000 to £20,000 |
| Orangery / large | £20,000 to £35,000 |
| + Solid / tiled roof instead of glass | add £5,000 to £9,000 |
What's included in the price?
Typical conservatory prices include:
- The frames, glazing and roof
- Base and dwarf walls
- Doors and standard glazing
- Fitting and building control where it applies
What changes the price?
The things that move conservatory prices most:
Floor size and the style: lean-to, Victorian, Edwardian or orangery
Glass roof versus a solid or tiled roof
Dwarf walls and the amount of groundwork
Frame material and glazing spec
How the price is built up
Most of what you pay covers the base and dwarf walls, the frames and glazing, the roof and the fitting labour, so a like-for-like quote can swing by several thousand pounds depending on those choices alone. A small uPVC lean-to or Edwardian build on a dwarf wall often starts nearer 7,000 to 9,000, while a typical mid-range conservatory lands around 14,000 once a decent roof and groundwork are included. The jump towards 25,000 to 35,000 usually comes from a larger footprint, a solid or tiled roof in place of glass, aluminium frames, or a sloping site that needs extra groundwork before building can start. Materials (frames, glazing, roof and the dwarf wall) make up the larger share, with labour for groundwork, building the base and fitting usually working out at roughly a third to 40 per cent of the total.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Choose a standard size and shape (lean-to or Edwardian) over a bespoke design, as off-the-shelf templates are cheaper to make and fit.
- Stick with a glass roof rather than a solid or tiled one if budget is tight, as glass keeps you nearer the lower end while a tiled roof can add several thousand.
- Use uPVC frames instead of aluminium or timber unless you have a specific reason, as uPVC is the most affordable option and still performs well.
- Get three quotes from local fitters and check each is itemised for the base, frames, glazing and roof separately, so you can compare like for like and spot padding.
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, a conservatory typically costs around £18,000 installed, about 30% above the UK average of £14,000. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £13,000.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £5,000 | £14,000 | £35,000 |
| London | £6,500 | £18,000 | £45,500 |
| South East / South West | £5,800 | £16,000 | £40,500 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £4,600 | £13,000 | £32,000 |
Guide prices installed, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Conservatory cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £4,300 | £12,000 | £30,000 |
| Birmingham | £4,900 | £13,500 | £34,500 |
| Bristol | £5,500 | £15,500 | £38,500 |
| Cardiff | £4,700 | £13,000 | £33,000 |
| Edinburgh | £4,900 | £13,500 | £34,500 |
| Glasgow | £4,500 | £12,500 | £31,500 |
| Leeds | £4,700 | £13,000 | £32,500 |
| Liverpool | £4,600 | £13,000 | £32,000 |
| London | £6,500 | £18,000 | £45,500 |
| Manchester | £4,800 | £13,500 | £33,500 |
| Newcastle | £4,500 | £12,500 | £31,500 |
| Sheffield | £4,600 | £13,000 | £32,000 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for conservatory, not quotes.
Groundworks and labour carry the difference.
Common questions
How much is a small conservatory?
A small lean-to conservatory of around 3 by 3 metres typically costs £5,000 to £10,000 installed with a glass roof. A solid roof adds more.
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?
Most conservatories are permitted development within size and height limits, but larger ones, those on the front of a house, and homes in conservation areas may need planning permission.
Is an orangery more expensive than a conservatory?
Yes. An orangery has more brickwork and usually a flat or lantern roof, so it costs more than a glazed conservatory of the same size, often £20,000 and up.
How much does a uPVC conservatory cost compared to aluminium?
A standard uPVC conservatory is the most affordable mainstream option, with dwarf-wall builds often starting around £7,000 to £9,000 and a typical mid-range build near £14,000 installed. Aluminium frames are slimmer and more rigid but cost more, commonly adding several thousand pounds and pushing a comparable build towards £18,000 to £25,000 or beyond. Timber sits at the top end. For most homeowners uPVC offers the lowest price for similar insulation, so the gap only narrows if you specifically want aluminium's thinner sightlines.
Does a solid or tiled roof add much to the cost of a conservatory?
A solid or tiled roof is one of the bigger price drivers, typically costing more per square metre than glass and adding several thousand pounds over a glazed equivalent. On a new build this can lift a conservatory from the typical £14,000 towards £20,000 to £25,000, depending on size. The trade-off is a room that holds heat better and stays usable year-round, and it usually needs Building Regulations sign-off because of the extra structural weight on the frames.
How much does the dwarf wall and groundwork add to a conservatory?
The base, dwarf walls and any groundwork are a significant slice of the total, generally costing a few thousand pounds before the frames and roof go on. A flat, straightforward site keeps this modest, but a sloping garden, soft ground, or the need to divert drains can add noticeably more. Dwarf walls (low brick walls under the glazing) cost more than fully glazed sides but improve insulation and looks, which is why they feature in most builds landing around the £14,000 typical figure rather than the £5,000 lower end.
How much is a 3m x 3m conservatory?
A 3m x 3m conservatory (9 square metres) usually costs around £8,000 to £15,000 installed, sitting near the middle of the typical range for a starter or lean-to design in uPVC with a glass roof. Fitting it on an existing patio or level base keeps the price down. Choosing an Edwardian or Victorian style, a solid roof, or extensive groundwork can push a 3m x 3m build towards the higher end.
Can I build a conservatory myself?
You can take on parts, but it is a big job. Labour for the groundwork, base and fitting is roughly a third to 40 per cent of the total, so laying the base yourself saves a share of a £5,000 to £35,000 build. The frames and glazing usually come as a kit that suits self-assembly. The base and levels are the hard part, and a poor base causes leaks, so only attempt it if you are confident with groundwork.
How long does a conservatory last?
A well-built uPVC conservatory structure lasts around 20 to 30 years, and often longer with sensible maintenance. The part that dates and fails first is nearly always the roof rather than the frame or the base: polycarbonate is good for roughly 10 to 15 years before it discolours and stops controlling temperature, and glass sealed units are usually quoted at 20 to 25. That matters for budgeting, because it means the realistic sequence is one conservatory and one or two roof replacements over its life, rather than replacing the whole thing. If you expect to be in the house long term, specifying a solid insulated roof from the start avoids paying for the roof twice.
Does a conservatory add value to your home?
Sometimes, but rarely pound for pound. A well-built conservatory can help a sale by adding usable space, yet buyers often value it below the £5,000 to £35,000 it cost, and a cheap or dated one can even put people off. It adds most when it is warm year-round and fits the house. Build it for the extra room you will use rather than as an investment.
Official guidance and sources
The rules and schemes referenced on this page come from these official UK sources. The price figures are Costwise's own; see how we price.
- Planning permission: common projects Planning Portal · A conservatory is often permitted development within limits and may be exempt from building regs.
- When you need planning permission GOV.UK · When a conservatory needs planning permission.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.