To Build A Conservatory From Start To Finish

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The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman has published a new Installer Guide: Building A Conservatory.  This general guidance document has been published for installers to ensure best practice from start to finish.

It is based on the experiences DGCOS has had in dealing with disputes between members and their customers over the last decade.

 “The Installer Guide: Building a Conservatory, covers everything from defining what a conservatory is (which might sound obvious but actually isn’t always), to excavations, foundations, drainage and building the structure – issues that all installers should consider from the beginning.”

– Faisal Hussain 

Chief executive, DGCOS.

Assessing the build

“The aim of the guide is to help installers be aware of potential areas where issues may arise, in order to construct a quality build that does not require come-backs due to errors in any part of the planning or building process,” continues Hussain.  “The guide also explains best practice in terms of assessing a potential site before starting any groundworks to ensure foundations will be the correct depth, the strata the builder is likely to encounter and whether there are any trees or drains in the area which may be an issue.”

Groundworks

There is a section on excavations giving advice on how to deal with different soil types, plus other things to look out for such as circumstances under which a structural engineer should be engaged, as well as a dedicated section on getting the foundations right.

The guide also deals with the substructure, addressing topics such as damp proofing and building the superstructure itself. The final section addresses drainage in relation to roof run-off, gutters, outlet pipes and soak aways.

“The guide is an invaluable start for anyone involved in building conservatories,” adds Hussain. “There are also useful links to external bodies that can provide further detailed information such as the government website for information about the Party Wall Act 1996 and approved document A, a citizen's advice for guidance on drains and sewers and links to local authority building control departments.”

To grab your copy of the DGCOS Installer Guide: Building a conservatory – Click Here

Picture: The DGCOS guide to conservatory building includes a section on groundworks.

www.dgcos.org.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
09th November 2022

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