I want a conservatory! where do I stand?

[Sara T]

Hi ladies,

just after advice from anyone that may have recently had a conservatory.

I currently mind using my downstairs and garden and would love the extra space a conservatory would give me.

I havent had quotes yet, just thinking about it as I know it would really make my setting better than it is and would just give more room.

At what stage would I need to inform Ofsted that I was thinking of having this done?

Can I still mind while having it built if I have one?

And can I claim any amount of the cost as expenses as Ill be using this for childminding too?

I know its a long shot, but thought I would see if its possible.

Also any advice regarding conservatories and childminding / things to bear in mind would help too

thanks

Sara

[tashaleee]

I had one done not too long ago and I dont regret it - its great as at the end of the day everything is out of sight and we have our home as our home (though we do still use the other parts of the house for minding everything is 'kept' in the conservatory).

Cheapest method is to build it yourself (can give you info on who supplied ours if you PM me) or get a builder to build it rather than the company that sells it

You dont have to inform Ofsted until you want to use it for childminding (I think, but you could ring and double check with them), then you have to do a Risk Assessment

You have to have a risk assessment in place whilst it is being done

Planning permission might be needed depending on the size and your local authority rules

Sadly you cant claim the cost for having it done (I really wish we could but several of us on here have tried asking and all been told the same by HMRC)

You can claim for what you put inside for childminding (though this might be affected by the ages of your own children and if they would benefit from it)

I would say bear in mind how you will keep it warm in winter and cold in summer as they can be major issues - mine is south facing and has reflective strips in the roof panels which are fantastic. Underfloor heating is great but very expensive. Think about where you want to put shelving - can you design it with a solid wall?

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I did an extension and needed carpet on the floor asap and we couldn't afford the tiles. We paid £45 out on cheap carpet and as it was for the children claimed it 100% but when the tiling went down we didn't claim at all.