Orangery cost
Orangery installation prices and how they compare to extensions 2025. In the UK, expect to pay between £25,000 and £100,000, with the typical project around £45,000 (average mid-range orangery installation). Regional variation, specification tier and site access conditions all shift the final quote.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up bifold doors cost. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Small orangery (15m²) — Brick piers, flat lantern, uPVC | £25,000–£45,000 |
Medium orangery (20m²) — Brick columns, aluminium, quality lantern | £40,000–£65,000 |
Large orangery (30m²+) — Premium finish, full brick, bespoke lantern | £60,000–£100,000 |
Labour costs
Labour typically accounts for 45% of the total project cost in the UK.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Bricklayer (piers and walls) | £5,000–£15,000 |
Roof lantern installation | £3,000–£8,000 |
Glazing | £3,000–£10,000 |
Electrical + heating | £2,000–£6,000 |
Flooring + finishing | £3,000–£10,000 |
Materials costs
Materials and fittings make up the remainder of the budget, with specification tier driving most of the variation.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Brickwork (per m²) | £80–£150/m² |
Roof lantern (5m x 3m) | £5,000–£18,000 |
Aluminium frames / glazing | £4,000–£15,000 |
Underfloor heating | £2,000–£5,000 |
Roof tiles / flat roof | £2,000–£6,000 |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Region — London and the South East run 15–30% above national averages.
- ·Specification tier — premium materials and finishes can double the base cost.
- ·Access and site conditions — flats, restricted parking and listed buildings add time.
- ·Scope changes mid-project — late design decisions are the biggest cost overrun driver.
- ·Trade availability — quotes rise 10–20% in peak spring and summer months.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Choose a standard rectangular plan rather than bespoke shape.
- ·Specify uPVC or aluminium frames rather than timber.
- ·Stay under permitted development limits (3 m for terrace, 4 m for detached) to skip planning.
- ·Bundle orangery + adjoining room refit into one design-and-build contract.
- ·Get three quotes from FENSA-registered installers.
Orangery vs conservatory
An orangery has a solid perimeter roof with a glazed lantern, and more brick or block wall than a conservatory. That makes it warmer in winter and cooler in summer, but it costs more because it is closer to a true extension in its build.
Planning permission and building regulations
Many single-storey rear orangeries fall under permitted development if they meet size limits (generally up to 3m deep on a semi-detached or terraced house and 4m on a detached house, and not more than half the garden area). Larger projects can use the prior-approval route or need full planning permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules.
If the orangery is not separated from the house by external-quality doors, or has its own heating linked to the main system, it needs building regulations approval — add the council or approved-inspector fee to your budget.
What drives the price
Foundations, the size of the roof lantern, glazing specification, and whether you knock through to create an open-plan space are the biggest variables. Knocking through a load-bearing wall needs a structural engineer and a steel beam.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?
- An orangery has more solid walls — typically brick piers or rendered columns — with a flat or pitch roof and a central glazed lantern. A conservatory has a fully glazed roof and lighter frame. Orangeries feel more like a real room and provide better year-round usability.
- Is an orangery classed as an extension?
- An orangery is treated as an extension for planning purposes, not a conservatory. If more than 30% of the roof is solid (non-glazed), it must meet full building regulations for thermal performance, structural integrity, and fire safety.
- How long does an orangery take to build?
- A medium-sized orangery takes 12–20 weeks to build, including planning, base preparation, brickwork, glazing, and internal finishing. More complex designs with bespoke lanterns take longer.
Sources & how we estimate
Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.
- Planning Portal — Extensions
- GOV.UK — Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explained
- GOV.UK — Building regulations approval
- Planning Portal — Do you need permission?
- ONS — Construction output price indices
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