Adding a conservatory to your home

A practical guide to adding a conservatory to your home and improving your garden

The garden - the ultimate place to relax on a summer's day

Summer is on the way and if you watch the many garden programmes on TV, you'll be aware that improving your garden can be time-consuming as well as expensive. How much time it takes and how much you spend totally depends on if you want to give your garden a few small improvements or a major re-development.

Before you start have a look at the checklist below as this will help you to stick to a budget and ensure that you include everything required:

• Set a budget and stick to it - note all the items you need and what you're prepared to pay
• Plan your layout - this can be done by yourself or by hiring a professional landscape gardener
• Consider what you want to use your garden for - i.e. children's play area, a place to relax etc.
• Think of the longer term - some plants have a growth rate faster than others, make sure you are aware of this before you plant them
• Check out your title deeds - boundaries, protected trees, shared access etc.
• Planning permission - is this required? You should check if building a shed, greenhouse, summer house etc. requires planning permission with your local council
• DIY or use a contractor - depending on the design of your garden and the level of work needed to transform your garden, why not use a qualified landscape gardener? Some skills such as outdoor lighting may need a specialist
• Safety considerations - ponds can look great, but if young children are using the garden this can be dangerous
• MAKE SURE YOU'RE INSURED - contact Cover Direct's home insurance customer service team to find out if items such as garden furniture, plants, BBQ's etc. are covered in your contents insurance. Get a home insurance quote from Cover Direct for peace of mind.

Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/ for more ideas on transforming your garden this summer.

Adding a conservatory

Adding a conservatory to your home can increase the value of your property so as with all home improvements, planning is essential.

The checklist below will help with planning your budget:

• Set yourself a budget and stick to it - this must include layout & design, purchase of the whole unit, DIY (materials etc.), professional installation, wall covering/paint, soft furnishing, flooring, lighting, electrical & central heating work, legal & planning fees
• Decide what you want to use the conservatory for - for example a children's play area, relaxing area, dining room etc.
• Measure up - make sure you measure the space which is available, both inside and outside. Assess the remainder of the garden and see how much space will be left
• Consider professional advise - depending on the size of your conservatory, you may need an architect, surveyor, builder, electrician etc.
• Consider the view you will have - make the most of your garden views
• Planning permission - approximately 60% of conservatories require planning permission so contact your local council planning officer to see if this applies to you
• Building regulations - in general, domestic conservatories are exempted under building regulations, visit http://www.conservatoryinfo.co.uk/buildregulations.html for more information
• Safety considerations - your local planning office or architect should cover this, but think about the safety aspects of your new building
• MAKE SURE YOUR INSURED - after all the time and money spent on your new conservatory it makes sense to check with a Cover Direct home insurance customer service advisor that your home insurance is adequate or whether your home insurance cover should be increased.

Home Insurance Quote

Cover Direct home insurance can give you peace of mind and offers both buildings and contents insurance cover. For an instant home insurance quote or to speak to one of our home insurance advisors please contact Cover Direct and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about looking after your property and home insurance cover.

Get a home insurance quote now from Cover Direct for peace of mind.