Does a conservatory add value?

Does a conservatory add value? Usually it adds some. How much depends on the quality of the build, how you can use the room, and what the house is worth in the first place. A well-built conservatory that works all year, on a house where extra space is scarce, adds the most. A tired, cold one can put buyers off, and the cost of building it rarely comes back in full.

What buyers pay for when a conservatory adds value

Buyers pay for usable space, not for glass. A room you can sit in for most of the year counts as extra living space. A room that is too hot in summer and too cold in winter counts for much less. That is why the roof makes the biggest difference to value. A solid or tiled roof turns a seasonal room into a year-round one.

Sources disagree on the exact uplift, and figures vary with the area and the house. Treat any single percentage with caution. Ask a local estate agent what conservatories add on your street, because they know what recent buyers paid.

What makes a conservatory add value

• Use all year. A good roof, an insulated floor and decent heating make the room usable in winter and summer.
• Build quality. A conservatory with sound frames, no leaks and a guarantee you can transfer looks like an asset. A leaking one looks like a repair bill.
• Fit with the house. Choose a style that suits it, such as a Victorian conservatory on a period house or a lean-to on a bungalow. It then reads as part of the home.
• Paperwork. Planning permission where you needed it, Building Regulations sign-off and any certificates all help a sale. The Planning Portal explains when you need them, and a buyer’s solicitor will ask for them. See our guide to planning and building a conservatory.
• Garden left. A conservatory that takes most of a small garden leaves buyers with less outdoor space than they wanted.

When a conservatory will not add value

The cost won’t come back in full on a cheap house. The value of any extension is a share of what the house is worth. A conservatory that needs repair, with a clouded roof or failed seals, can lower an offer. A conservatory that is too small to use also adds little. Here, a replacement conservatory roof may be the better choice. It costs far less than a new conservatory and fixes the problem that holds most of them back.

Orangeries and larger builds

An orangery feels more like part of the house and often holds its value better. It also costs more to build, so the gap between cost and value can be wider. Work out the full cost first, using our conservatory prices page. Then compare it with what a local agent says it would add.

Think about use before resale

If you plan to stay, think about whether you’ll use the room every day. If you plan to sell soon, ask an agent before you spend. When you decide to go ahead, compare quotes for the same specification. Use the quote checker to make sure each one covers the roof, the base and the guarantee.