The location looks good, but I personally think an extension would be better if you can afford it. Conservatories cost a lot and are not insulated. Also with it being south-facing, you may have major overheating issues in the summer, so be careful of that.

An extension allows the later possibility of building upstairs space.

Future proof your plans now by considering where to extend in order to allow a first floor extension too.

You might also consider if you add more to the value of your house if you extend in line with the front of your house and make it look substantial from the front

Like this

I would suggest a well planned extension with large windows if your budget allows which incorporates the downstairs loo. It would also add a lot more value to your home than a conservatory. Having had one in a previous house, it was rarely used. Even with underfloor heating it was still too cold or uncomfortably hot and fried the houseplants.

Yes, I think Ive decided against a conservatory. I havnt had any quotes yet from installers/builders yet, so I dont know what the likely cost differences are between a conservatory and an extension.

I suspect an actual 'extension' would be cost prohibitive. Is there a halfway house (pardon the pun) between a conservatory and an extension? I dont know what. Perhaps a prefab thing? Or would a downstairs loo really only be suitable for an actual 'extension'?

An orangery has more substantial walls than a conservatory without the cost of a full extension.

Yes, I think Im looking at something more substantial than a conservatory. Especially since I want a downstairs toilet in it. Not sure building regs would pass a toilet with a glass roof! :)

Hi J Tuffy, we are about to remove a large conservatory from the back of our house, which is south facing. I agree with all previous comments: freezing in winter and boiling in summer. The dimensions are 5.4m x 3.6m and we never use it. We have just had a quote from an excellent builder (who isn't rip-off, but builds to excellent standards), to replace it with a proper extension of the same dimensions. The work quoted for also includes knocking out the back wall of our house and another wall for a bit of re-modelling .His quote is £41,400 plus VAT plus glazing. It will be a high spec. project so the glazing quote is £20,000 on top of that, but we have the chance to shop around.( Three sets of bi-folds, one fixed pane and two 3m x 1m flat roof lights) I thought tht I would let you know the price as it gives you some idea. I live in Shropshire so I'm not paying London prices or anything like that. I think you could knock somrthing off that figure as you won't be knocking down other walls as we are, but building costs have really escalated recently. If your foundations are deep enough for an extension already, you'll save on that too (ours aren"t). Unfortunately, VAT is a killer!

Thanks @goodwillhunting3, your post is prescient. Ive been re-thinking the whole thing.

I went to a conservatory store last week and got a quote for the conservatory. It is £11k. (I will then have to find/pay an installer for it). The fact I want a downstairs toilet means the conservatory is off the table anyway.

Ive had 3 builders come out to quote for an extension, none have come back with a price (yet), so its interesting what you say. Whether the cost of the extension will add the equivalent value to the house I dont know.

My current thinking is to pause the project until everything settles down. As you know, building materials have massively increased over the past 2 years, and every builder seems too busy to do the job anyway. Plus I fear the wider economy is going to suffer pretty badly later this year (but thats another topic entirely!).

However, I will continue to give this thought and planning so - when the time is right - Ill know more precisely what I want.

Ive just had a quote from a builder:

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Twenty three sq metre footprint extension to consist of:
• Block and render with the sufficient celotex in the cavity walls.
• Solid floor ( finish to be finalised).
• Double doors on entry.
• Double doors onto the to be determined.
• Downstairs toilet with a wash hand basin.
• We didn’t talk about radiators but i will allow for a small one in the toilet and one in the main room.
• Two large windows looking towards to next doors property.
• The roof to be slate with two large size velux windows.
• All pipes to be connected to the mains.
• Ive alos allowed for four plugs sockets and spot lights in the ceiling.

For the above works you would be looking at around £29,800 + vat.
That would include all materials, tipping charges, machinery and labour.

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As with all builder quotes Ive ever had, it seems very scant on detail. But I suppose thats understandable as they cant be exact on something so nebulous at this stage.

So what Id like is to really pin-down exactly what I want. Im thinking the front elevation should be mostly block with a window in it; side elevation (which overlooks neighbours); mostly block with 2 big windows; rear elevation which looks over the field should be mostly glazed. But its really difficult for me to decide without seeing some examples.

Since the side has no view consider no side windows in order to gain wall space for furniture

How about cladding the outside building as it will soften the exterior and give it a very unique charm. Feel free to check out our website for more inspo https://www.qtdgroup.com/