Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most commonly asked questions about Clearview Edwardian Conservatories - simply click on the questions listed below to reveal the answers.

If you have a question about our Edwardian Conservatories not shown below, please contact us online or you can call us on freephone 0800 011 2400 - our advice is free and without any obligation to buy.

• Do you offer finance to help me pay for a conservatory?

  Yes - Clearview Home Improvements can arrange a variety of affordable and convenient finance options to suit you and your budget - making your dream conservatory more affordable. Making an application is simple and we promise you a quick decision, normally within 24 hours.

   

• What do we need to do when our finance is approved?

  If you’re arranging your own finance, you’ll need to call us as soon as you get the go ahead. If you’re taking up one of our offers, the finance company will inform us both directly, so there’s no need to call as we will get in touch with you.

• I’ve applied for finance with Clearview Home Improvements. How long will approval take?

  Sometimes our finance company will say ‘yes’ almost immediately and on other occasions it may take them a few days. This short delay can be for any number of reasons and you should not be unduly concerned.

• What happens if finance is refused?

  Finance companies can turn down people for lots of reasons, for example if you’ve moved several times over the past few years. In these circumstances, we always do our best to help and sometimes it’s worth trying another provider, especially if they know you.

• How long are your conservatories guaranteed for?

  All our conservatories are guaranteed for 10 years.

• What types of flooring do you offer for conservatories?

  Clearview Home Improvements offer a great range of flooring options for your new conservatory - ranging from Ceramic Floor Tiles, Laminate Flooring, Wooden & Timber Floors. We also offer a range of Kardean & Amtico premium flooring.

• What types of conservatory roofs do you offer?

  We supply both glass and polycarbonate roofs to suit your individual requirements. Our glass roofs are solar controlled for maximum comfort in the summer and winter months.

• I have an existing conservatory with a polycarbonate roof! Can it be upgraded to a glass roof?

  Clearview Home Improvements specialise in supplying complete conservatories under normal circumstances. Altering a polycarbonate roof to glass is possible, but there are potential complications.  For example, the roof bars may not be strong enough to carry the extra weight of the glass, and the thickness of the polycarbonate may not be the same thickness as the glass sealed units.

  We may be able to replace the roof, but leave existing UPVC frames in place, but this can also be difficult. If you are unsure, we will happily send out a Conservatory Design Consultant for a FREE site survey, or alternatively take some photographs of your conservatory and measurements and visit our Holmes Chapel, Preston or Warrington showrooms for more advice.

• Why can I not get a price for your conservatories online?

  You won’t find conservatory prices on our website. Why? Because all Clearview Home Improvement's conservatories and services are bespoke - made especially for you by Conservatory Outlet in their hi-tec manufacturing plant based in Wakefield, Yorkshire.

  Some companies will quote approximate prices on their websites or in the local press, or even when you first speak to them. We cannot give you an approximate price online – it would be impossible to give you an accurate figure for a tailor-made conservatory. As such, any websites offering you a price online should be treated with caution as you may end up with a nasty surprise if you invite them round. We believe in providing you with a price tailored to your exact requirements and the conservatory designed to fit perfectly with your home.

  Click here to arrange your FREE no-obligation quotation

• When will your conservatory sales advisors be able to visit my home?

  Our sales advisors (design consultants) are able to visit you whenever your available including weekends and evenings at a time that suits you.

  You can book a home visit usually within 24 hours by calling our freephone 0800 011 2400.

  Or if you prefer you can book a free design consultation online. Simply take a moment entering the details on our 'Appointment Booking Form'. We will then contact you to arrange a visit to your home or in our Holmes Chapel, Preston or Warrington showrooms.

• How long will the visit from your conservatory designer take?

  We usually advise at least 1 hour for the designer to take down all measurements and to discuss the various design options available to you.

• Can you design a style of conservatory to suit my house?

  Yes, every one of our conservatories is designed to suit you and your home and can be personalised with a host of accessories, design features both inside and out. Our conservatories are created using the very latest computer design software (CAD) to compliment every home in a range of colours ranging from white to natural looking woodgrain finishes.

• Are Clearview Home Improvements FENSA Registered?

  Yes, we are FENSA registered for all window and door installations - our registered number is 31237. Please Note: FENSA is not required for conservatories.
   

• Do we need Planning Permission for a new Conservatory?

  Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 adding a conservatory to your home is considered to be permitted development. In most cases you will not require planning permission for your conservatory under the present legislation, unless you are adding a conservatory to a house that has already been extended. Read more details on Planning Permission on our dedicated pages.

• We have an odd shaped garden that slopes from the house, can we still have a conservatory?

  Yes - we probably can fit a tailor-made conservatory on sloping ground or awkward shaped gardens, there's always a solution and we can come up with several options for you to choose from. We suggest you speak to one of our design consultants to discuss your own requirements fully.

  You can arrange a home or showroom appointment with our experience design consultants by visiting our Free No-obligation Appointment form.

• Our neighbours are not particularly friendly, can we protect our privacy in our conservatory?

  Conservatories can be made private by the thoughtful use of obscure glass, solid UPVC panels at the side or perfect fit blinds on the windows. We can even design your new conservatory to feature a solid wall on one side giving you total privacy.

  We suggest you speak to one of our sales consultants to discuss your requirements fully.

• Do I need ventilation in my conservatory?

  Yes your conservatory will need to be ventilated. We will take care of this during the design process.

• Can you build a new conservatory on existing basework?

  We are able to build a conservatory on existing basework as long as the basework is in good order and to our high standards. Get a FREE QUOTE today and one of our design consultants can inspect the base thoroughly and advice on any issues that may arise.
   

• Will your builders be at our house every day?

  No. We have planned to build your conservatory base over about 10 days. We’ve also included some ‘contingency’ time so if anything unexpected crops up - like bad weather, we can deal with it without affecting the date we’ve promised to fit the windows, doors and roof on your conservatory base.

• Can you give us a definite time for arriving on the first day?

  Unfortunately building is unpredictable, not least because we’re at the mercy of the British weather. However, our forward planning does mean delays are rare – but should the worst come to the worst, we’ll always keep you fully up-to-date.

• I can’t be there when the builders arrive. What do I need to do and what do you need?

  Please call us and we will make all the arrangements before the day – our builders will need power, water and of course access to your garden, plus on some days to your home, if we are creating a new opening for your conservatory.

• Will you move my satellite cables when installing my conservatory?

  No, items like these need to be moved by specialists so you will need to arrange this yourself with the relevant company. The same applies to alarms, aerials, telephone wires, and sockets.

• When will the plasterer and other trades arrive to finish my conservatory?

  They will know the date the roof is going on and will probably already have made an arrangement with you. If not, they will contact you directly.

• What finish will I get to my conservatory floor?

  The standard is trowel finished concrete, which will occasionally be peppered if it rained when freshly laid. This is fine for ceramic tiling, but if you are planning on a smooth flat floor, such as Amtico or Karndean, your flooring company will need to lay a levelling compound.

• How long will it take to fit the windows and roof to my conservatory?

  Usually only a day, if your conservatory is not too large or complex. Generally, conservatories over 15 square metres in area will take a little longer. We’ll let you know well in advance how long it will take.

• What about the electrician and plumber? When will they finish off in my conservatory?

  We will notify other tradesmen of the building dates. They will contact you directly to make arrangements to visit so there is no need to contact them or us, unless you anticipate a problem, in which case, please call your dedicated project co-ordinator.

• Won’t my home be vulnerable before the conservatory is completed?

  No, if we are creating a new opening for your new conservatory, we will always make sure it is securely boarded up so your home will be safe. If you've already got patio doors or French doors, they can be kept locked as usual.

• Will there be a lot of dust when building my conservatory?

  Compared with most building projects, No. However, if we need to knock through from the outside into your home, some dust and debris will result. Many people like to protect flooring with tough plastic and cover furnishings with dustsheets, as well as take down curtains. We recommend you do the same.

• Will you keep plants and paving currently on the area were my conservatory is planned to be built?

  Yes, but please either move them safely out of the way before we arrive or let us know what you want to keep the very first day. Otherwise if you don’t move it yourself, we won’t know what’s for the skip and what’s not. Please bear in mind that we’re builders, not gardeners so you might like to move precious plants yourself!

• Afterwards, will my conservatory be ready to use?

  Probably not, as there may be work to finish off. If this is the case, the fitters will go through a Quality Plan with you. Your conservatory may also need plastering, tiling and the electrics and plumbing finishing off.

• Do we need to take time off work?

  Not necessarily, but if you are not planning to be at home, you need to make arrangements for power and water to be available.

• What sort of things might need finishing in my conservatory?

  Quite often, nothing at all – other than your own plans for decoration. But sometimes we will have to wait for the plaster to dry before fitting skirting, for example. Other trades may need to finish up and your choice of flooring will need to be laid on top of the concrete.

• I’m delighted with my new conservatory. Do you have a recommend and reward scheme?

  We do. You can earn cash for every recommend you make and your friends and family will benefit too. On completion of your new conservatory we will send you all details on how you can earn cash for every person you recommend that results in a new installation by Clearview Home Improvements.