How Much Does An Orangery Cost? (2024 Guide)

Depending on specifications and other factors, orangeries cost around £5,000 to £122,500. By specifications, we mean the orangery’s size, type, design complexity and features. And by other factors, we mean your location and price differences between orangery builders.

These six factors determine how much an orangery costs. So, we can’t provide a nuanced answer to your question without exploring them. That’s why this article won’t just state price estimates. It will also discuss those cost factors and other essential details you need to know about hiring professionals to build orangeries.

How Much Does An Orangery Cost: Average Cost Estimates

Orangery Size	Supply Cost	Total Installation Cost
Small Orangery (4m x 4m)	£5,000-£18,000	£32,000-£40,000
Medium-size Orangery (6m x 6m)	£12,000-£30,000	£72,000-£90,000
Large Orangery (7m x 7m)	£18,000-£100,000	£98,000-£122,500

How Do Companies’ Prices Range?

Prices will also vary between individual installers. In fact, orangery costs are not the only things that will vary because of this. Pricing systems and services might too. That’s why you should speak to multiple companies and compare prices. Remember that the cheapest option is rarely the best.

Whoever you choose to build your orangery, ensure they are reliable, capable and reputable. Then, ask them to provide a written quote. Here is a table showing orangery prices from two of the most popular builders in the UK.

Company	Cost of a uPVC conservatory of 3.5m X 4.5m
Everest	£35,100
Anglican	£34,472

What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of An Orangery?

Here are the six factors that determine orangery costs.

Size

Size is one of the biggest factors that determines orangery costs. It might even be the most important one. Just take a look at the table above. You will notice that orangery prices increase with size. This is because constructing a larger orangery requires more labour and supplies.

Here is an easy way to understand how size affects orangery costs. Orangery prices add up to about £2,000-£2,500 per square metre. That’s why our table says you need £32,000-£40,000 to build an orangery of 16 square metres and £72,000-£90,000 for an orangery of 36 square metres.

You can use this same method to find a more specific answer to your question. Simply determine the dimension you want for your orangery (in square metres). Then, multiply it by £2,000 to £2,500 (orangery cost per square metre). This should answer your question, “How much does an orangery cost?”

Building Material (AKA Orangery Type)

In the UK, timber, aluminium, uPVC and composite are the four most common building materials for orangery frames. uPVC is the most affordable of these building materials. Therefore, when other variables are constant, an uPVC orangery costs less than the others. The second most affordable option is aluminium. Next up is timber. Composite orangeries cost the most.

However, cost is not the only consideration for choosing an orangery’s building material. There are other factors. For example, uPVC orangeries are affordable but don’t have the aesthetic appeal of timber ones. 

On the other hand, timber (both hardwood and softwood) has great aesthetic appeal but is less durable than uPVC, aluminium or composite. Meanwhile, composite provides the most practical combination of aesthetics and durability. It is made by combining timber and aluminium.    

We can’t discuss orangery building materials without mentioning the choice of glazing material. The two main choices are glass and polycarbonate. The former is more expensive. Therefore, orangery costs will be higher when using glass. 

Apart from the question of glass vs polycarbonate, there is also double glazing vs triple glazing. Finally, there is normal glass vs self-cleaning or decorative glass. All these affect orangery costs. 

Design Complexity

Complex structural designs usually require a higher skill level and more labour and supplies. They may also need building regulations and planning permission. Therefore, orangery costs will be higher. So, expect to pay more for complex architectural features and design elements.

You won’t always have a choice when it comes to design complexities. For example, let’s assume that the site you have chosen for your orangery has poor or uneven soil. In this situation, the installer must make complex design choices to build the orangery’s foundation (and entire structure). As a result, orangery costs will be higher. 

Your Location

Location affects orangery costs in three ways. Firstly, it affects supply and labour costs. Compared to rural areas and Northern parts of the UK, orangeries cost more in big cities and the south.

Secondly, location determines accessibility. Orangery costs will be higher if the installer expects accessibility issues. Examples include when your area is far away, or the installers have problems accessing and working on the site.

Thirdly, location determines building regulations, permits and fees. Like traditional home extensions and conservatories, orangeries are permitted developments. You don’t need planning permissions, but the rules could differ in your area. These are the three ways that location affects how much an orangery costs.   

Features and Accessories

Features and accessories affect orangery costs in two ways: quantity and sophistication. Quantity is the total number of features the orangery has. Sophistication is how high-grade or low-grade a feature is. These two qualities affect orangery costs.

For example, basic orangery features include electricity, heating, plumbing, etc. You may decide to exclude some features or add others. As for sophistication, let’s use heating as an example. Underfloor heating is more sophisticated and expensive than a panel heater. The choices you make on any of these will affect orangery costs. 

Do You Need Planning Permission For An Orangery?

You don’t need planning permission to build an orangery. Your orangery just needs to pass building requirements and obey the following rules.

• The orangery must not be taller than 4 metres. If within 2 metres of the property’s boundary, it must not be taller than 3 metres.
•  The orangery’s roof must not be higher than the main house’s roof.
• The orangery must not exceed more than half of the house’s width.
• The orangery mustn’t cover more than 50% of the available garden space.
• The orangery mustn’t have an elevated platform, veranda or balcony.    

These are the basic rules guiding the construction of orangeries. However, the rules could be different or more in your area. So, check with local authorities before moving forward with your plans. Your installer can also check on your behalf.

How Long Does It Take To Build An Orangery?

Project duration depends on the specifications of the orangery. A larger and more structurally complex orangery will take longer to construct. It will also cost more. Factors like size and design complexity affect both orangery cost and construction time.

The table below shows how long it takes to build a small, medium-sized and large orangery.    

Orangery Size	Duration
Small Orangery (4m x 4m)	2-4 weeks
Medium-size Orangery (6m x 6m)	3-4 weeks
Large Orangery (7m x 7m)	4-6 weeks

Why Should You Consider Building An Orangery?

If you don’t want a traditional home extension or a conservatory, an orangery is the perfect compromise. An orangery offers the strengths and removes the weaknesses of those two. As a result, you get the best of both worlds.

For example, the main benefit of a conservatory is the sun-filled and airy space it creates. The main weakness is privacy. A traditional extension is the exact opposite. It is solid and private but not airy and sun-filled. 

Orangeries provide a solution by combining all of the desirable qualities. It is solid, private, airy and sun-filled. Even regarding installation costs, an orangery is an ideal compromise between the conservatories and regular extensions.

Another reason to build an orangery over a conservatory is suitability. Orangeries fit in better with brick houses because they also have brickwork. Fully glazed structures like conservatories don’t fit in that well. 

For your edification, an orangery is a glazed building with walls that are less than 50% glazed and a roof that is less than 75% glazed. On the other hand, a conservatory is a glazed building with walls that are more than 50% glazed and a roof that is more than 75% glazed.

Summary

The average orangery costs around £5,000 to £122,500, depending on its size, type and other factors. That’s the best estimate you will get until you discuss the specifics with a professional installer. Until then, you can rely on our orangery costs. 

You can also determine the dimensions you want for your orangery. Then, multiply it by our estimated orangery cost per square metre (£2,000 to £2,500). The answer will give you a good idea of what to expect when you contact an orangery installer.

Try to contact at least 3 to 5 orangery companies. Research their reputation and experience regarding the building of orangeries. Then, compare quotes and choose the best candidate. The process can be stressful and frustrating, but it will help you get reasonable rates for orangery costs.