Like we did :) total cost including all parts/materials/labour £4900 :)

heres the progress :)

Firstly the Plans
http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/plan01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/plan02.jpg

then the digging & building
http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench02.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench03.jpg

[Edited by *Sonic* - 8/23/2003 7:16:37 PM]

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench04.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench05.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench06.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/trench07.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/wall01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/wall02.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/wall03.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/side01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/roof01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/roof02.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/roof03.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/roof04.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/flashing01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/glass01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/floor01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/floor02.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/floor03.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/floor04.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/floor05.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/inside01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/inside02.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/walllight01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/walllight02.jpg

Finally all completed

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/done01.jpg

http://white-elephant.homeip.net/pics/done02.jpg

Looks very nice , alan, done a few myself????

Cool, esp. if thats underfloor heating.

Not too sure about the pseudo Max Power neons though :)

Yep thats the Underfloor heating

Neons well tis my brother :)

they do actually look quite good tho

Sonic, where did you get that from

looks like the sort of thing we wanted and have been quoted 10-13k, almost exactly the same dimensions!!

robski

Nice job.the same size as ours ,you find you spent more time in there than the lounge ,best investment ever..im currently sitting in here listening to some bands over the castle (caldicot) with a cool kroony in hand,enjoy:)

Its actually my Bro's Conservatory, I just helped him build it :)

He did a lot of shopping around before deciding on which one to go for

The one he bought & we built (our first one too :)) was an UltraFrame one, bought from Sterling (who supply to the trade mainly, but sell direct too)

They are based in Warrington if you want their details

I already have a conservatory, but I know what you mean, spend most of my time in there last summer :)

Cheers

Steve

Looks :D

How many days did it take from start to finsh? including digging the trench etc.

Darren

It took a weekend & plus a few nights in the week for the trench, dwarf wall, base etc

Then it took 3 of us 2 full weekends, and most evenings in between too

Then another weekend for all the internal tiling, tidying up, cleaning the frames & glass etc

none of use had built one before so, it took a lot longer then we anticipated as we spent a long time re-reading the brief instructions, and working out what bits went where, and deciding on best way to route electrics etc

Doing it again it we could probably knock a few days off :)

My bro's next door neighbour had one twice the size built in 3 days solid, using 6 blokes who build them for a living

Very impressive. Looks excellent! Especially like the underfloor heating!

Mossman
:)

That is a phenomenal saving mate! No wonder there are som many companies trying to flog you one for £12k!

Can you add a few more comments mate - great pics but I dont follow some of the pics. E,g why did you 'pause' building the wall once it was at about ground level...etc? Would be much appreciated to accompany youir fine illustrations. Had you done brickwork before?

Must have put £15k on the house value. NICE!

Looks like it took a little bit less time than ours, which my dad built in about 2 years I think :D

Thanks for the commments

I was going to put some comments up, but I forgot which pics where which :)

We didnt actually do the brick work, my Bro's ex next door neighbour is a brickie, and he did the bricklaying

I will add some comments, when I get a bit of time (possibly tomorrow evening)

Your right about the saving tho, thats why my Bro opted for it to be self built :) and I got a brand new 'Posh' Gazebo for my help, oh and I got fed & re-hydrated too :)

My Bro has been reading this thread (so if your reading it , get registered and post up some more info, save me doing it :))

Steve

Ohh listen to you Mr I now have a g a z e b o.. lahh di dahh ;) :)

Yeah get posting a few notes guys - will honsestly make make a good guide! And I'd be ever so grateful :)

Where are you (or more accurately the brickie - did a nice job and I know no brickies other than Craig offa da Big Brother!)

D

I really admire people who can do this sort of thing. I don't mind doing the labour, it's just knowing what to do that put's me off...

Well done.

Nice

Hello,
This is Sonic's Bro, i've finally bothered to get a username so if anyone has any questions they want answering about the conservatory project and doesn't want the guesses that Sonic made then please feel free to ask. He did get the overall costs correct though :-)

LOL Bro :)

bout time you got on here, and answered some questions, ok some of the times were incorrect, most of what I mentioned was the work that I was present for, or knew about,

didnt realise you worked on some stuff every night after work :)

sonicsbro

I've got a question


Will you build mine????
I'm only in Whiston

:D :D :D

I'll help you build it, as long as beer is provided :)

Sonic

Sounds like a good deal to me!!!

A little thing I need to do before the conservatory...oh yeah, get married!! :D :D

But once that's done I'll get the beers in :)

Isnt it obligatory to get the beers in before the wedding :)

Yeah

I'll have to pick a meet close to the wedding

:)

How about a top ten list of key points when doing the build yourself?

and how about a top 3 blunder list!! :)

spill the beanz!! :)

Top tips in no particular order..

Do...be realistic that it is going to take a lot of your time and little details will consume you for several months to ensure it looks just right.
Do...think about exactly what you want in terms of features and spend some time researching them.
Do...try to order hardware during the week as it is more expensive at the weekend..e.g. ground 'Whacker' Cement mixer etc.
Do...try to use all parts they supply with the conservatory set as they are usually there for a reason!
Do...have a dry run with as many parts as possible before drilling/glueing/sealing into place.
Do...read what instructions you do get several times before commiting to an action.
Do...make sure you measure and dig the footings exactly right, especially on one with angles other than 90 degrees.
Do...add on about 10% of your budget for things you never initially thought of, and don't forget that most builders products have VAT on them after you see the initial price!
Do...get a few people to help you doing the building, the instructions show 1 bloke putting up the roof himself, you need at least 3 for that part!!

Top 3 blunders....or near misses...
Don't...cut anything down to fit if it looks wrong, as it can cause more problems than it solves. (Our window ledge, D'Oh!!)
Don't...listen to anyone that tries to convince you to cut other parts to fit with the ones you already cut which you shouldn't have!(Steve...)
Don't...leave the upstairs window open above the conservatory after just installing the poly carbonate roof, allowing such pets as a cat to jump out of the window and slide down, using those lovely claws on your brand new roof :-)