Open to the house:Clients often want to remove the physical barrier between the home and the conservatory (open plan, remove the doors from the house into the conservatory) . This can be done but you will need the correct approval from building control (local building regulations department).

Be careful:Do not listen to anyone who suggests you can do it after the conservatory is erected without approval.

Solicitor enquiries:When you try to sell your house the buyers solicitor will request a report from the surveyor which will include a date when the conservatory was built and whether the physical barrier has been removed between the house and conservatory. Following the receipt of this report the solicitor will write to the local building control department asking if the relevant approval was obtained.

House sale fails:If the solicitor confirms the approval was not obtained the house sale will fail and your buyer maybe lost.

Home insulation legislation:In April 2001 the government-introduced legislation that affects the way houses are built and improved.

Better insulation:Improving the insulation of our properties reducing the fuel used to heat and cool our homes is a good thing.

Prove the energy use:Make sure if you require the physical barrier removed you get the correct permission. This is done by providing the correct calculations to building control. You need to prove that your property will not use any more energy to heat the home after the conservatory with the physical barrier is removed than it did before the conservatory was built.

Calculations for the authorities:Sounds impossible but with the correct calculations and a well insulated conservatory and a few other improvements to the home it can generally be achieved.

Building control requirements:The building control department will require “typical u value calculations” and “sap ratings” and “carbon index” and last item that is required is the annual cost of heating your home if occupied by a typical British family. All of these calculations are done in house by Vogue conservatories survey department.

Bring your conservatory into your home:Removing the barrier (open plan) does make the room feel great but make sure you get the approval.

Retrospective regulation application:For those who have been caught out by this legislation and need to overcome the problem contact us and we will help you obtain the permission. Please be aware that you will receive a lot more objections trying to retro the permission.