Are conservatories worth considering these days?

[oreoxoreo]

I have a small house and a tiny garden. Given the tiny garden I could have an extension no bigger than 1.5m deep x 3m wide, but even this would be a significant improvement for my downstairs space (think extending the kitchen/diner so you can fit in a sofa, while the living room could be used as an office).

Anyway, a solid extension with skylights would be ideal, but this is at least 30k as the work is almost the same, small or big extension.

Or I could do a small conservatory (also pushing 20k).
I don't know what to do but really want that extra space!
We are in Greater London by the way..

Any advice!

Have you had quotes? If not, definitely get a few for both options as you might be surprised, or a good builder might give you some ideas about using the space in a way you haven't yet considered. Also ask a couple of local estate agents whether a conservatory or small extension will add to the value.

I had a conservatory in my old house - useful for space, but very hot in summer (it was south facing) and expensive to heat in winter. But that one was built about 15 years ago now, so perhaps there's better insulation or ways to keep a conservatory cool now.

If you need office space, would a loft conversion be an option? Or a garden room? My cousin just had a garden room installed to use as a home office, I think for around £10,000. It's lovely, only took a couple of days to install with electricity, lighting, insulation, double-glazing, and works really well as an office space.

Personally I don’t think a conservatory will be as expensive as you expect. Get an independent who can build it, will be much cheaper than the conservatory companies (they can be sharks and you pay well over the odds). Knock on neighbours doors/ ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.

Also Costco sell beautiful cabins with windows- you can get them heated. They are gorgeous and only cost £3k installed

So the conservatory would be a separate room as such, while the extension would be extending the size of the existing rooms? Extension every time. We've been house hunting for a few months (though on hold after our sale fell through) and I've not seen a conservatory I like yet.

If OP only has a tiny garden, she's not going to want a Costco cabin filling it up.

I'd go for a full extension, but check it will actually add value to the house. Can you extend upwards into the roof space?

Go for the extension. Conservatories are naff, useless most of the year and expensive to get rid of. You would likely get the value of an extension back on the increase in value in the house if you are adding usuable living space.

Proper extension. Conservatory might be cheaper, but is a straight up waste of money as far as house value goes. The extension might cost more but it sounds much, much nicer and will actually add value.

Thank you. I don't have space for a cabin in the garden and no loft either! I have a full length big window opening to where would be conservatory or extension so it would be open plan, but of course the heating of conservatory is tricky. Even though it would be very small.

I understand the financial attraction of a conservatory in your position and if it's a long-term house then do what suits best but it would actively put me off buying your house so if resale is a consideration maybe think twice.

I have a conservatory. It was built about 5 years ago and cost 20k (previous owners). It's great. It's linked to the central heating but also has electric underfloor heating as an option too. We use it all year round. So much better than my old conservatory which we could only use for a few months