The short answer
Choose an orangery installer with the right registrations, proper insurance and a clear, itemised written quote, and compare at least three on like-for-like terms. Because an orangery involves glazed windows and a glazed roof, the glazing work is usually notifiable under Building Regulations, so look for a FENSA or CERTASS registered orangery installer who can self-certify the glazing. Check insurance, references and recent local work, confirm what guarantees are offered, and make sure each quote covers the same specification before you decide.
The installer you choose has a large effect on how an orangery turns out — on build quality, on whether the paperwork is right, and on the experience along the way. This guide sets out the checks that matter, the questions worth asking, and how to compare quotes so you are deciding on like-for-like terms rather than headline price. All figures and pointers here are general illustrations, not advice for your specific job.
Choosing an installer — at a glance
- Registration FENSA or CERTASS for the glazing
- Insurance Public liability, in date
- Evidence References & recent local work
- Quote Itemised and in writing
- Compare At least three, like-for-like
- Paperwork Certificates on completion
Registrations and checks that matter
An orangery’s windows and glazed roof mean the glazing work is usually notifiable under Building Regulations. A FENSA or CERTASS registered orangery installer can self-certify that glazing and arrange the certificate, which a buyer’s surveyor will later look for. Beyond registration, confirm the installer holds public liability insurance that is in date, ask for references and addresses of recent local work you can see, and check how long they have traded. Membership of a body such as the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is a further sign of an established firm. For why the certificates matter, see building regulations for an orangery.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Glazing registration | FENSA or CERTASS registered |
| Insurance | Public liability, currently valid |
| Track record | References and recent local jobs |
| Trade body | Membership such as the GGF |
| Guarantees | What is covered, and for how long |
Questions to ask before you commit
Ask each installer the same questions so you can compare answers. Useful ones include: are you FENSA or CERTASS registered, and will you provide the glazing certificate? Who handles the Building Regulations side, and any planning check? What exactly does the quote include — groundworks, base, brick piers, glazing, lantern, electrics, plastering and making good? What is the timescale, and what happens if it slips? What guarantee is offered, and is it insurance-backed? Clear, consistent answers help you judge who to trust. For what should be in the quote, see get orangery quotes.
Compare at least three quotes
Gathering three itemised written quotes for the same specification is the most reliable way to choose. It shows the going rate for your job, reveals what each installer includes or leaves out, and gives you a basis to ask questions. Look past the headline figure to the detail: the glazing and lantern specification, who handles approvals, the timescale and the guarantee. Set the quotes against your budget and the typical £20,000–£40,000 range. Our service can introduce you to orangery specialists so you can compare. These are general pointers, not advice for your specific job.
Compare orangery quotes
The clearest way to choose an installer is to compare itemised written quotes for the same specification. Use our service to gather estimates from orangery specialists in your area.
Frequently asked questions
What registration should an orangery installer have?
Because an orangery involves glazed windows and a glazed roof, the glazing work is usually notifiable under Building Regulations. Look for a FENSA or CERTASS registered orangery installer who can self-certify the glazing and provide the certificate. Membership of a body such as the GGF is a further sign of an established firm.
How many quotes should I get for an orangery?
At least three, each itemised and in writing for the same specification. Comparing three like-for-like quotes shows the going rate, reveals what each installer includes, and gives you a basis to ask questions before deciding. See get orangery quotes.
What should I check before hiring an orangery installer?
Confirm FENSA or CERTASS registration, valid public liability insurance, references and recent local work, how long they have traded, what guarantee is offered, and who handles the Building Regulations and any planning check. Ask each installer the same questions so you can compare answers.
Who handles the building regulations and certificates?
A FENSA or CERTASS registered installer can self-certify the glazing and arrange that certificate. Other elements of the build may need Building Control sign-off and a completion certificate. Confirm who is responsible before work starts. See building regulations for an orangery.
Sources & further reading
- FENSA — finding a registered installer and the certificate scheme
- CERTASS — registered installer scheme and self-certification
- Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) — choosing an installer and consumer guidance
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Documents — standards, notification and completion certificates
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or build. The right checks and the outcome vary with your home, the design you choose and your chosen specialist. We are an independent information and introduction service, not an installer.