Conservatory Vs Garden Pod

Steveocee · 7 Mar 2015 at 21:23

Bought a house and we're going to be completing in around 3-4 weeks. The only thing is the place doesnt currently have a "man space" for me and my growing amount of kit.

There is room for a conservatory of around 4x2m or room further down the garden for one of the new funky garden office pods things.

I have £10k absolute tops to pay for one or the other (pod is around £4300) but change would be much appreciated.

Would appreciate some community ideas as I really can't make my mind up.

bitslice · 7 Mar 2015 at 22:23

Depends on if you are married or not,
if so a space away from the wife is a no brainer.

Even if single a 4x2m glass box is not worth the hassle
buy a big garden office.

mrbazmondo · 8 Mar 2015 at 01:24

Having had a conservatory on my previous house, I would never buy one again.
Way too hot in the summer - cacti wilted and died because it was too hot, and way to cold in the winter. The room probably only got a few weeks use throughout the year. A single story extension makes a lot more sense, and adds more value to your house.

Your wife will probably take the conservatory and fill it full of wicker furniture so you're probably better off with the pod.

Rroff · 8 Mar 2015 at 01:32

Couldn't really recommend a conservatory - I've got a work top down one side of one I use for dabbling with electronics, etc. and temperature regulation as above is a pain in the rear.

jellybeard999 · 8 Mar 2015 at 16:02

As above, IME conservatories get too warm/cold. A single storey extension with a big window and skylight would be a more usable room IMO.

Trifid · 8 Mar 2015 at 16:59

Not a conservatory. They also sound like the world is about to end every time it rains.

NickK · 8 Mar 2015 at 18:29

Conservatory does work but you need roof blinds - something most people forget.

Ours reaches sauna temperatures last summer. It kills everything. Ours has the plastic sofa, chairs and glass table. In summer the chairs get pulled out onto the lawn instead.

Pod works but you need power going to it and security.

Steveocee · 8 Mar 2015 at 20:35

I just can't make my mind up. I'm expecting a price difference of £4k pod and about £10k conservatory.

Power and network to a pod isn't too much of a problem and having £5k in my pocket after just moving in is a carrot on a stick.

I just want to extract the best value I can for £10k

bsoltan · 8 Mar 2015 at 20:36

Trifid said:
Not a conservatory. They also sound like the world is about to end every time it rains.

That's the best thing about a conservatory. :cool:

Mark A · 8 Mar 2015 at 22:49

One of those log cabins turned into a man cave would be what i would go for if I had 10k and a big enough garden.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18604169

NickK · 9 Mar 2015 at 08:08

Only thing with a POD is that you have to get there when it's raining. You'll want a proper path, space for a coat rack and umbrella stand, something to dehumidify..

boxman2000 · 9 Mar 2015 at 08:45

You could probably have a custom built shed with proper slate roof, insulation, guttering etc for less.

Leesey · 9 Mar 2015 at 11:58

Rather than a conservatory, why not have an extension?

Steveocee · 9 Mar 2015 at 12:02

Mark A said:
One of those log cabins turned into a man cave would be what i would go for if I had 10k and a big enough garden.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18604169

Would love one but I think the cost of that would be monumental.

NickK said:
Only thing with a POD is that you have to get there when it's raining. You'll want a proper path, space for a coat rack and umbrella stand, something to dehumidify..

Path already there, porch to put wet shoes in included. Didn't think of dehumidifying.

boxman2000 said:
You could probably have a custom built shed with proper slate roof, insulation, guttering etc for less.

WIll look into that

Leesey said:
Rather than a conservatory, why not have an extension?

My first choice but keeping under £10k will be impossible I think.

Leesey · 9 Mar 2015 at 12:26

Mark A said:
One of those log cabins turned into a man cave would be what i would go for if I had 10k and a big enough garden.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18604169

Steveocee said:
Would love one but I think the cost of that would be monumental.

smogsy said:
Cabin was 7500 with all the extras
Insulation was 800
Base 800
Spent 8.5k pound already, estimate 11k by the time its finished

Might not be to far off!

cheesyboy · 10 Mar 2015 at 09:54

What pods are you looking at? £4,300 sounds cheaper than I've generally seen them.

Quite a tempting price. Though I don't really need one.

Steveocee · 10 Mar 2015 at 09:57

cheesyboy said:
What pods are you looking at? £4,300 sounds cheaper than I've generally seen them.

Quite a tempting price. Though I don't really need one.

I went to a clients the other day and they had a pod from these guys;
http://campingpods4u.com/

I'm basing £4300 on the largest with flooring done. I was really impressed with it, the build quality looked brilliant and it was brilliant inside.

Stretch · 10 Mar 2015 at 10:03

mrbazmondo said:
Having had a conservatory on my previous house, I would never buy one again.
Way too hot in the summer - cacti wilted and died because it was too hot, and way to cold in the winter. The room probably only got a few weeks use throughout the year. A single story extension makes a lot more sense, and adds more value to your house.

Your wife will probably take the conservatory and fill it full of wicker furniture so you're probably better off with the pod.

This.

Steveocee · 10 Mar 2015 at 11:42

I've posted up on rated people to try and get some quotes in for an extension. I really hope they come in no more than £10k

Hank_Marvin · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:43

4x2m extension would be pretty close to 10k or less, depends on your glazing, that's where a lot of money goes.

I'm doing a 6m x 7.8m single story rear extension and its going to come in at £23k'ish, doing much of it myself though.

Those pods are quite cool though but a extension would surely get a lot more use, its right there.