AIBU to take out a loan to put in a conservatory?

[Mirrorwriting]

We are first time buyers and have just exchanged contracts. Would it be unreasonable to take out a loan to put in a conservatory as soon as we move in?

Why get into debt for something you don’t need?

Do you need it for the space? If not, leave it a while because you'll have plenty of other expenses.

conservatories are shit; too hot in summer, too cold in winter.

I curse the previous owners who built ours, blocking off all light from the dining room and taking space from the garden.

Invest your money in a properly built extension instead, if you need one.

Yep I would not waste money on a conservatory they are rubbish save up for something else.

As long as you can afford the repayments, why not? When your current deal ends it could well be cheaper to remortgage to pay off the loan, and effectively add the debt to your mortgage. In my opinion it's never a bad thing to invest money on your home!

As someone else said, conservatories are shit. Freezing cold in the winter and boiling hot in the summer. Either have an extension built properly or don't but save your money!

If ou haven’t even moved in yet I’d definitely wait and settle. See how your finances go, how you use the house and whether you really need extra space.

If so, I’d save and build a proper extension. We have a conservatory in our house and in our previous house (neither added by us) and they’re pointless. Uncomfortably hot in the summer, freezing in the winter months. They’ve basically become junk rooms where my DCs store bikes, scooters etc.

It depends if you can afford it or not. If you can and want one go for it.

One of my friends has a conservatory and it's nearly doubled the downstairs living space and is used all year round.

You will be wasting your time and not adding to your property's value in any significant way. It's possible to over-improve, similar to putting in an outdoor swimming pool in an area where no neighbours have them therefore there is no 'gentrification'.

Why do you think you want a conservatory? They are neither fish nor fowl. Unless you are being offered one free you'd be far better to wait and consider an extension if it's space you want, but again don't over-improve there either.

Love the way everyone piles in and says conservatories are rubbish. The best thing we ever did by miles was to build a massive conservatory. I love, love, love it and nearly live in it in summer.
Having said that our house was already large and we didn't need it for space. Also I wouldn't borrow money for something like that I'd save up.

Definitely all depends on affordability.

My parents have a huge conservatory and it’s the most used part of their home. It’s centrally heated so is used in the winter aswell. They also have a roof that allows it to be kept cool in the summer.

Don’t bother. Save up and build a proper extension. Conservatory’s are a useless waste of money.

not adding to your property's value
See I think a house is a home to live in not a temporary thing that you have to worry about a hypothetical future owner.

Why a conservatory?

I'd probably wait a while to see how you use the various rooms in your house and how hot/cold the room you want to build it off is at various times of the year. I think if they're built in the right place, consevratories can be nice. They are a pig to clean though, all the glass and in my case white pvc. They also seem to be a magnet for spiders. Our house has two conservatories (built before we bought it).

The back one is quite nice as it's half brick and doesn't get too unbearably hot, also has a radiator so can be used most of the year. The other one is basically a sauna and attached to the living room. It's handy for drying clothes and the dog enjoys sunbathing (cooking) himself in there, but we don't really spend much time in there. Also the space it occupies would have made a decent driveway without taking up too much of the garden.

Not something I would do.

New homes generally need a lot of new stuff- furniture etc.
So unless you are flush- which I assume not as you are talking about a loan- I wouldn't.

MN hates conservatories. They're "naff" now apparently.

I love mine - it's left open to the house all year round and was intended as a nice sitting room - looks like an explosion in the Playmobil factory but it means I'm no longer removing little plastic people from playing hide and seek in my shoes before I put them on anymore and it's made a massive increase to our family living space.

Wait and see how you use the house, have time to settle in as you might change your mind. Also, as pp said they are boiling in summer and freezing in winter, I would have an extension.

Two issues here OP. And I am not really sure what you are asking.

1. Is the financial side of things. Is it unreasonable?

Buying a house is a big expense. Many people are left reeling for a year or two after all the costs involved, legal, removal, new furniture, flooring etc. All this usually costs more than you anticipate. Taking out a loan at this time - for any reason- may put you under undue financial pressure.

1. The idea of a conservatory- is this unreasonable?

Well you can see there is a split of views on this one- so no right answer. Some people love them, some hate them.
I am a lover- we have a huge heated conservatory ( put in by previous residents) and it is my favourite room in the house.
It is my and OHs room to relax in and watch the sun setting in the evening.

The resale/value thing is a red herring- you should be modifying your house to your living requirements, not people who may buy the house after you.

We knocked our brand new conservatory down after five years to build a proper extension, losing a shed conservatory load of money in the process.
Maybe some are lovely in the summer if it isn't in full sun all the time but ours was far too hot even with fans etc. And freezing in winter unless you planned ahead and used radiaters and extra heaters for hours to warm it up.

I'd say take out a loan if you can afford it, to build a proper extension with huge windows or bifold doors.

We deliberately didn't put radiators in ours because it seemed ecologically undesirable to heat a room which it is impossible to insulate thoroughly. So it is hot in summer and near-freezing in winter. But in autumn and spring it is wonderful - the feeling of sitting outside when it's too cold to do so, and even in summer we have breakfast in there. I suggest you get used to the house first and then see whether you need a conservatory, and how you would use it.

MereDintofPandiculation yes- it depends on the aspect, the situation.

Ours actually faces North, but stands proud of the end of our house and captures sunrise and sunset as it has open aspects to East and West.
It can be warm even in winter- when the room is flooded with sunlight.
I live in Scotland too- so even in the height of summer we simply go in there to bask in the warmth.

It might reduce the value if it takes up too much garden, that was the case for a relatives house.

Isn't it all about orangeries this days?

Have to agree with many posters here is dismissing the conservatory idea. We don't have one, but friends do and all wish they didn't.

Unless you've got amazing views, not just a bit of garden, fence and the neighbours bloody wall and the conservatory is simply a means to enjoy the views - if it's a cheap way of adding another room I'd leave alone.
Why not go for the orangery idea, much better and probably cheaper than a full blown extension.