The short answer
Get at least three quotes from orangery specialists, all on the same specification, and insist on an itemised written quote after a proper on-site survey rather than a phone-only price. Tell each installer the same brief — the footprint, the brick piers and base, the glazing, the roof lantern and the internal finish you want — so the quotes are comparable. Because an orangery’s windows and glazed roof are usually notifiable, prefer a FENSA or CERTASS registered orangery installer. Then line the quotes up item by item and weigh price alongside guarantee, survey quality and reviews. See how to choose an orangery installer for the checks that matter.
Getting quotes is the step where homeowners most often end up comparing apples with pears — one quote includes a bigger lantern or a better glazing spec, another leaves out the groundworks, the electrics or making good. This guide explains what to tell installers, what a good quote should contain, and how to compare three quotes fairly. We are an independent information and introduction service: we do not build orangeries, and we publish this guidance free.
Getting quotes at a glance
- How many At least three
- Same brief Identical spec to each
- Survey On-site, not phone-only
- Format Itemised, in writing
- Registration FENSA or CERTASS for glazing
- Compare on Like-for-like spec
What to tell each installer
To get comparable quotes, give every installer the same brief. The more precise you are, the less room there is for quotes to drift apart on hidden differences. Cover the footprint and intended use, the brick piers and base, the glazing and any bi-fold or sliding doors, the roof lantern, the internal finish such as plastering and electrics, and any access or groundwork issues. Ask each installer to survey the property rather than quote over the phone, because a measured on-site survey is what makes a quote reliable.
| Tell the installer | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Footprint & intended use | The core of the quote — must match across all three |
| Brick piers & base | Groundworks and masonry are a major cost driver |
| Glazing & doors | Window spec and bi-fold or sliding doors change price |
| Roof lantern | Size and number of panes affect cost and light |
| Internal finish & access | Plastering, electrics and awkward access affect price |
What a good written quote includes
A quote you can rely on is itemised and in writing, not a single headline figure. It should set out the footprint covered, the groundworks and base, the brick piers, the glazing and doors, the roof lantern, the internal finish, the guarantee length and terms, who notifies the glazing under Building Regulations, and what is included for making good and clearing the site. If a quote is vague about any of these, ask for it to be spelled out before you compare.
How to compare quotes fairly
With three written quotes on the same brief, line them up item by item. A price gap often comes down to one quote including a bigger lantern, a better glazing spec, or groundworks that another omitted — adjust for anything missing before judging on price. Sense-check the figures against typical costs in our orangery cost guide and the cost per square metre, then weigh the things price alone does not capture: the quality of the survey, the clarity of the guarantee, independent reviews and how the installer communicated. The cheapest quote is not automatically the best value, and the most expensive is not automatically the safest. These are general pointers, not advice for your specific job.
Compare orangery quotes
Get matched with orangery specialists in your area, then apply these checks to compare on a like-for-like spec. Free to use, no obligation — we are an independent guide, not an installer.
Frequently asked questions
How many orangery quotes should I get?
At least three, all on the same specification — same footprint, brick piers and base, glazing and doors, roof lantern and internal finish. This lets you compare fairly and spot a quote that is cheap only because it leaves something out.
Should I get a survey or a phone quote?
Insist on an on-site survey. A measured survey is what makes a quote reliable; a phone-only or online estimate can change significantly once an installer sees the site, access, groundworks and any repairs needed. A proper survey also lets you judge how the installer works.
What should an orangery quote include?
An itemised written quote should list the footprint, groundworks and base, brick piers, glazing and doors, roof lantern, internal finish, guarantee terms, Building Regulations notification via FENSA or CERTASS for the glazing, making good and waste removal, and the deposit and payment schedule. Ask for anything vague to be spelled out.
Is the cheapest orangery quote the best?
Not necessarily. A lower price can mean a smaller lantern, a thinner glazing spec or omitted work such as groundworks or making good. Compare on a like-for-like specification and weigh the guarantee, survey quality and reviews, not just the headline figure.
Sources & further reading
- FENSA / CERTASS — finding and checking registered installers
- Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) — getting quotes and consumer protection
- Planning Portal — extensions, orangeries and permitted development
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Documents — standards for extensions and glazed structures
This is general information, not advice for your specific situation, and not a quote. We are an independent information and introduction service — we do not build orangeries or provide quotes ourselves; we can connect you with an orangery specialist. Figures are typical illustrations, not quotes.