Do your research to enable you to make an informed
purchasing decision
Check for meaningful warranties and guaranties
You may opt to choose your supplier after deciding what
style and type of conservatory you want. Alternatively
you may pick the supplier first and rely on him to guide
you through the available options.
Whichever way you choose, always get quotes from at least
three potential suppliers. Personal recommendation can
be one of the most reliable ways to choose a supplier but
you might also want to try a national ‘household
name’ or a smaller regional specialist.
Any potential supplier must be able to clearly explain
how the site will be prepared and how the conservatory
will be constructed as well as providing details about
the construction’s strength and durability.
You will need reassurances regarding workmanship and continuity
as most companies use sub-contractors who are only interested
in their aspect of the job. You need to be confident that
the conservatory company's installation manager will visit
site regularly and project manage the tradesmen.
Check for training and competency certificates awarded
by the company’s manufacturers and suppliers and
also scrutinise guarantees and warranties offered.
Before making your decision:
Check out some completed installations
Talk to previous customers to find out if the builders
were efficient, prompt, tidy, etc and if there were
any major delays
Try to meet the builders who will be doing the work – you
will be in close proximity throughout the build period
so you want to be sure you can get on with them
Visit the company’s showroom where you can view
the different styles available
Check whether there is a computerised bespoke design service
so you can see how the finished building will look
In order to make an informed purchasing decision based
on hard facts rather than salesman’s patter, find
out as much as you can about construction materials and
glazing options, etc – you’ll find plenty of
information in this book but for further details visit
some of the websites listed in the Appendix.
Be guided by the advice above but also follow your instincts.
Is this a conservatory company you feel good about? Does
it inspire confidence? Gut feeling counts in such purchasing
situations. Above all, though, don’t be rushed into
making a decision before you are ready to do so. Certainly
don’t be taken in by those ‘sign up today and
I can knock X% off the price, guv’ exhortations. In fact, if you find yourself on the end of such sales
patter our advice is to walk away!
