Conservatory prices in 2026
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Prices are fully fitted incl. base and VAT
A conservatory in the UK costs £9,000–£20,000 fully fitted for the popular styles, rising to £20,000+ for an orangery. Unlike windows and doors, the frame is only part of the story — the base, the roof choice and the glazing spec move the price more than the style name does. Here is what each style really costs and where quotes quietly differ.
Fitted conservatory prices by style
| Style | Fitted price (incl. base) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lean-to | £9,000 – £16,000 | Bungalows, terraces, tight budgets — the simplest roofline |
| Victorian | £11,000 – £20,000 | Period looks; the classic bay-fronted shape |
| Edwardian | £11,000 – £20,000 | Maximum usable floor space from a square footprint |
| P-shaped | £18,000 – £30,000 | Larger homes wanting two zones (lounge + dining) |
| Orangery | £20,000 – £40,000+ | A brick-and-glass room that reads as an extension |
Bands assume uPVC frames, A-rated double glazing, a standard concrete base on level ground and normal access. Aluminium frames typically add 20–30%; a solid or tiled roof in place of glass adds several thousand but makes the room feel like a true extension.
What drives the price
- Size — price scales with footprint faster than you would expect, because the base and roof scale with it too.
- Roof — polycarbonate is cheapest but noisy and hard to heat; glass is the sensible default; solid/tiled roofs cost most and perform best.
- Glazing spec — A-rated double glazing is the baseline; solar-control and self-cleaning glass add cost but tame summer overheating.
- Groundworks — levelling, soil condition and moving drains are the classic budget-breakers.
- Heating and electrics — sockets, lighting and a heat source turn a conservatory into a room; budget for them from the start.
What a proper conservatory quote includes
- A site survey — ground conditions and drains checked, not assumed.
- The base, itemised — excavation, footings, damp-proofing and the floor slab priced as their own line.
- Frames, glazing and roof — with the exact glass spec written down.
- Electrics and heating — or an explicit note that they are excluded.
- A written guarantee — typically 10 years on frames and sealed units.
Replacing windows or doors as well?
Conservatory projects often go hand-in-hand with new windows or French doors — and a combined order usually prices better than separate jobs. For the windows side, our estimate tool gives you a realistic price range for your home in under a minute, with no contact details needed. Our door cost guide covers French, patio and bifold prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small conservatory cost?
A small uPVC lean-to — the simplest and cheapest style — typically costs £9,000–£16,000 fully fitted including the base. That is the realistic floor for a properly built conservatory; kits advertised for a few thousand pounds exclude the base, installation and glazing upgrades that make the room usable.
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?
Usually not. Most conservatories fall under permitted development if they stay within the size limits — broadly, single storey, no more than half the garden covered, and within set distances from boundaries. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the main exceptions. Building Regulations are normally avoided too, provided the conservatory is thermally separated from the house by external-quality doors.
Why do conservatory quotes vary so much?
The base is the biggest hidden variable — sloping ground, poor soil or drains under the footprint can add thousands before a frame goes up. After that it is size, roof choice (polycarbonate, glass or solid), and glazing spec. Two quotes for the "same" conservatory can legitimately sit thousands apart because one priced the groundworks properly.
Is a conservatory worth it in winter?
With modern A-rated glazing or a solid roof, yes — the old reputation for freezing winters comes from single-glazed and early polycarbonate builds. Expect to pay toward the top of each band for a room that is genuinely usable year-round, and treat underfloor heating or a radiator as part of the budget, not an extra.
Sources: price bands compiled July 2026 from published UK installer price guides (Checkatrade, Which?, FMB cost guides) and cross-checked against regional quote data. Regulations: Approved Document L. Installer certification: FENSA.