Victorian conservatories
A Victorian conservatory has a bay front with three or five facets and a ridged roof that follows the bay. It is the most recognisable style and the one most people picture when they ask for a conservatory.
Who Victorian conservatories suit
Suits
- Period houses, from Victorian terraces to 1930s semis
- Anyone who wants a traditional look with decorative ridges and finials
- Gardens with enough depth for the bay
Good points
- Classic proportions that suit most British houses
- More floor and glass area than a lean-to of the same width
- A wide choice of roof finishes and decorative detail
Watch out for
- Costs more than a lean-to
- The bay corners make blinds and furniture harder to fit
- Needs more depth than a lean-to
What Victorian conservatories cost
Victorian conservatories typically cost £11,500 (3m × 4m Victorian conservatory in uPVC, fitted), with most jobs between £9,000 and £14,000. That includes VAT at 20%. Fitting takes 15–30 days on site.
What you would actually pay
Typical 3m × 4m Victorian conservatory in uPVC, fitted · UK- Typical installed cost Victorian conservatories, supplied and fitted
- £9,583
- VAT at 20% Standard rate
- £1,917
- Net cost to you
- £11,500
If you borrowed £11,500.00 over 36 months at 0.0%, it would cost £319.44 a month – £11,500.00 in total, of which £0.00 is interest. The last payment would be £319.60.
Illustration only – not a quote, not an offer of credit, and not financial advice. Rates depend on your circumstances and creditworthiness.
Where the money goes on Victorian conservatories
| Element | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Frame, glazing, roof and fitting uPVC frames, double glazed units and a polycarbonate roof, fitted on a standard concrete base. This row is the headline price and covers the whole range for the size shown. | £9,000 – £14,000 |
| Glass roof instead of polycarbonate An upgrade from a polycarbonate roof to A-rated glass. Optional, and priced against the standard roof. | £1,500 – £2,500 |
| Solid or tiled roof instead of polycarbonate A warm roof in place of a polycarbonate one, for a conservatory you want to use all year. Optional. | £4,000 – £8,000 |
| Groundworks on sloping or poor ground Extra digging and a deeper base where the site needs it. Many gardens need none. | £0 – £3,000 |
Guide prices including VAT. Your actual cost depends on your home, access and specification.
What moves the price of Victorian conservatories
- Size
Floor area is the biggest single driver. A larger footprint means more frame, more glass and a bigger base, though the price per square metre falls as the conservatory grows.
- Roof
Polycarbonate is the cheapest roof, glass costs more and a solid tiled roof costs the most. The roof is often the biggest difference between two quotes for the same shape.
- Frame material
uPVC is the base price. Aluminium and hardwood both cost more, and hardwood costs the most.
- The site
Sloping ground, poor soil, drains in the way and awkward access all push the price up before any frame goes in.
- Who builds it
National brands usually quote well above local FENSA or CERTASS installers for a similar specification. Compare like for like on frame, roof, base and guarantee.
What a quote for Victorian conservatories should include
If a quote is missing any of these, ask why before you compare it with another.
- The footprint, the style and the roof type, with a drawing that shows the layout
- The frame material and colour, inside and out, and the guarantee on frames, glass and the roof
- The base and groundworks: what is included, and what happens if the ground is poor
- Whether a dwarf wall is in brick or in the frame, and who builds it
- Building Regulations and planning: who checks whether you need them and who pays any fees
- Electrics, heating, flooring and blinds, and whether any of them are in the price
- FENSA or CERTASS registration for the windows and doors, and the deposit and payment schedule
Victorian conservatories prices by region
Labour is most of the difference. Typical price (3m × 4m Victorian conservatory in uPVC, fitted), including VAT.
| Region | Typical | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £14,500 | +25% |
| South East | £13,500 | +17% |
| South West | £12,500 | +10% |
| East of England | £12,000 | +6% |
| West Midlands | £12,000 | +4% |
| Scotland | £12,000 | +2% |
| East Midlands | £11,500 | UK average |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £11,500 | UK average |
| North West | £11,500 | −2% |
| North East | £11,000 | −5% |
| Wales | £11,000 | −6% |
| Northern Ireland | £10,000 | −12% |
Common questions about Victorian conservatories
What is the difference between a Victorian and an Edwardian conservatory?
A Victorian has a faceted bay front and a ridged roof that follows it. An Edwardian is a rectangle with a pitched roof and a square front. The Victorian is more decorative; the Edwardian gives more usable floor space.
How many facets should a Victorian conservatory have?
Three or five. Three is more common on smaller builds and gives more floor space. Five gives a rounder front and costs more.
Are Victorian conservatories hard to heat?
No more than any other glazed room. Roof choice and glass specification matter far more than the style.
Where these Victorian conservatories prices come from
Guide prices are compiled from published UK price guides, converted to a price before VAT, and shown here with VAT added. They are indicative, not quotations. How we price explains the method.
Get quotes for your home
A guide price only takes you so far. Local firms can price the work on your own home, and comparing a few quotes is the quickest way to see what is reasonable.
Compare free quotes