COST GUIDES
How much does a conservatory refurbishment cost in 2026?
Updated 07/26
If your conservatory has seen better days, you will likely be considering a refurbishment project in the near future. To help you budget, we've put together the following guide to the average conservatory refurbishment cost.
Fast Facts
Average conservatory roof replacement cost: £3,000-£5,000 for glass, or £5,000-£7,000 for a solid roof
Average cost to replace the roof, windows, and doors: £4,000-£8,000
Average cost for a full conservatory rebuild: £15,000-£30,000
There are lots of different ways you can refurbish your conservatory, and they all have different advantages and costs.
To help you budget, this guide covers 2026 UK prices by project type, what's included in a quote, the factors that affect the cost, and how to find a trusted conservatory tradesperson.
Conservatory refurbishment cost
A conservatory refurbishment can range from a simple roof swap to a full conversion. The table below gives a breakdown of current UK costs by project type.
| Type of refurbishment | Unit | Cost range | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement - Solid roof | Per project (with materials) | £5,000-£7,000 | £6,000 |
| Roof replacement - Glass roof | Per project (with materials) | £3,000-£5,000 | £4,000 |
| Roof insulation | Per project (with materials) | £895-£1,850 | £1,350 |
| Roof, windows & doors replacement | Per project (with materials) | £4,000-£8,000 | £6,000 |
| New conservatory build | Per project (with materials) | £15,000-£30,000 | £22,500 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
If your refurbishment includes a new conservatory roof, expect to pay around £3,000-£5,000 for new glass, or around £5,000-£7,000 for a solid roof.
Replacing all your conservatory windows, doors, and the roof costs around £4,000-£8,000.
For a basis of comparison, building a whole new conservatory would run to around £15,000-£30,000, depending on the size and type.
Additional conservatory refurbishment costs
On top of the main refurbishment cost, you may need to budget for some of the following if they apply to your project:
Flooring: Costs £110 per m2 on average for tiles, or £60 per m2 for laminate
Electrical work: Costs £65 on average for an extra socket or light fitting
Blinds: Costs £2,650 on average for the whole conservatory - see our conservatory blinds cost guide for more detail
Heating: Costs £40 - £400 on average to add a radiator
Replacing the windows with double glazing: Costs £500–£1,250 per window depending on size and frame material
What's included in a conservatory refurbishment quote?
A conservatory refurbishment quote should cover:
Removal and disposal of existing roof panels or glazing
Supply and installation of the new roof or window units
Resealing around frames and the junction with the main house wall
A final inspection and snagging visit
Ask your tradesperson for a written quote to confirm exactly what's included before work starts.
Extras such as flooring, heating, electrics, and internal decoration are usually quoted separately.
Find a trusted conservatory refurbishment company
Get a conservatory refurbishment cost estimate
Our calculator gives you a rough estimate for your conservatory refurbishment based on the size of the space and the type of work involved.
Enter your conservatory dimensions and the scope of the job to get an approximate budget figure before you contact a tradesperson.
Job Estimate Calculator
Factors that influence conservatory refurbishment costs
Several things can push the final cost above or below the averages shown in the table. Here's what to think about when you're planning your budget.
Size: A larger conservatory uses more materials and takes longer to complete. If you want to extend beyond the current footprint, you'll also need to consider planning permission.
Style: The type of conservatory affects both materials costs and complexity. A lean-to conservatory is the simplest and cheapest to work with; a Victorian or Edwardian style with more angles and glazing bars takes longer and costs more.
Roof type: A replacement solid roof costs £5,000-£7,000 on average, while a new glass roof sits at around £3,000-£5,000. See our conservatory roof replacement cost guide for a full breakdown.
Prep work required: Moving furniture, lifting flooring, and clearing access adds time to the job. If you handle this yourself, you can keep costs down - but if you need your tradespeople to do it, factor it into your quote.
Location: Labour rates are higher in London and the South East than elsewhere in the UK. Material costs are broadly similar across the UK, so the location premium mostly affects the labour element.
Additional factors: Lighting, plastering, painting, decorating, and heating all add to the total. Be specific about what you want when requesting quotes.
Materials and glazing type
The material you choose for your new roof or frames is the biggest single cost variable.
uPVC frames are the most common and affordable option. Aluminium costs more but handles temperature changes better and lasts longer.
For the roof, polycarbonate panels are the most budget-friendly. Glass lets in more light and looks better. A solid tiled or slate roof costs the most but turns the space into a proper year-round room.
You can read more about your options in our conservatory roof options guide.
Age and condition of the existing structure
The older your conservatory, the more surprises a refurbishment can throw up.
Older uPVC frames can become brittle and may need replacing rather than refitting, for example.
Likewise, if the foundations or base walls are damaged, that adds to the cost of the refurb before any of the visible work begins.
A reputable tradesperson will survey the structure before quoting. Any quote given without a site visit should include a clause for hidden structural issues.
How long does a conservatory refurbishment take?
A conservatory roof replacement typically takes 1–3 days, depending on the roof size and material.
If you're refurbishing the roof, windows and walls together, expect the work to take 3–7 days.
A full conversion (where the conservatory becomes a properly insulated, plastered room) takes 2–4 weeks once all trades are on site, longer if building regulations approval is needed.
Your tradesperson will give you a more specific timeline once they've seen the property. Jobs involving scaffolding or specialist glazing can take a day or two longer to arrange.
Should you refurbish or replace your conservatory?
Refurbishing is almost always cheaper than rebuilding from scratch, but the margin depends on what's failing.
If the frame is in good shape and you only need a new roof, refurbishment makes clear financial sense: it only costs around £3,000-£5,000 for a glass roof or £5,000-£7,000 for a solid roof, versus £15,000-£30,000 for a new build.
If the frame, base, and roof all need replacing, get quotes for both options before committing. The gap narrows quickly when you're effectively replacing everything. A structural survey will tell you which route is realistic.
For a different take on the space, it's also worth considering the cost of an orangery as an alternative to a full conservatory rebuild.
How long does a conservatory last?
A well-maintained conservatory typically lasts 20–30 years, though this can vary depending on the material it's made from.
uPVC frames can last 25 years or more. Aluminium frames often outlast them, lasting up to 30 years. Polycarbonate roofs tend to yellow and lose insulation value after 10–15 years, which is when most homeowners start looking at a refurbishment or roof replacement.
What is the 10-year rule for conservatories?
The "10-year rule" is a planning enforcement guideline. In England, if a structure has been built without planning permission for more than 10 years and no enforcement action has been taken, the council generally can't force you to remove it.
For a conservatory that’s been in place for over a decade, this means most refurbishment work (including roof replacement) can proceed without worrying about legacy planning issues.
If you're in any doubt, apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness before starting work.
Benefits of refurbishing your conservatory
Year-round use. A solid or insulated roof cuts heat loss dramatically. Your conservatory stops being unusable in winter and an oven in summer. See our guide to regulating your conservatory temperature for more tips.
Better energy bills. Better glazing and roof insulation reduces how much heat escapes from the room. It may not be enough to transform your whole home's energy rating, but enough to notice the difference.
Added property value. A dated, leaking conservatory can put buyers off. A recently refurbished one with a solid roof adds usable square footage that buyers pay for. Read more in our guide to how much value a conservatory adds.
Less disruption than a rebuild. A new conservatory from scratch takes 4–8 weeks and involves planning, groundwork, and full installation. A roof replacement or general refurb is done in days.
How to find a conservatory refurbishment company
Finding a conservatory refurbishment company is easy with Checkatrade. We check and verify all of our members. So all the tradespeople in our directory meet our standards.
To get started finding a company, enter your postcode into our search tool to see who offers conservatory refurbs in your area.
Find a trusted conservatory refurbishment company
Or try our quick and easy request a quote feature and we'll get experienced local conservatory refurbishment companies to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
The current condition of the roof, frames and windows
Whether you want a like-for-like replacement or a style change
The rough size of the conservatory (length x width in metres)
Whether you want the space converted into a fully insulated room
Any access restrictions (for example, a narrow side passage)
You can also download the Checkatrade app, to keep all your conversations with tradespeople right there in your pocket.
Conservatory refurbishment cost checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you're ready before you contact a conservatory tradesperson.
Your conservatory refurbishment cost checklist
Conservatory refurbishment cost FAQs
Yes, most conservatories can be refurbished regardless of age, as long as the base and frame are structurally sound.
A tradesperson will assess the structure before quoting. If the frame has become brittle or the foundations are damaged, they'll tell you whether a refurb or a full replacement makes more sense.
Usually yes, unless the frame, base, and roof all need replacing.
Replacing the roof, windows, and doors of your conservatory costs an average of £6,000 - whereas a full rebuild costs £22,500 on average. Get quotes for both if major structural work is involved.
In most cases, no. Like-for-like refurbishment (replacing the roof with the same or similar material, updating windows, or refreshing the interior) doesn't require planning permission.
If you're changing the footprint or converting to a fully habitable room, apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm you're within permitted development rules.
A conservatory roof replacement takes 1–3 days. A full refurbishment covering roof, windows, and walls takes 3–7 days. Converting the conservatory into a fully insulated room takes 2–4 weeks, or longer if building regulations approval is needed.
Conservatory roof insulation costs roughly £895–£1,850 including supply and fitting, depending on the roof size and insulation quality. See our internal conservatory roof insulation cost guide for a full breakdown.
Need more advice on your conservatory project? At Checkatrade, we're here to help. From conservatory styles, to how to plan for a conservatory installation and building timescales – we’ve got all the vital details ticked off.
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