Living in Northern Arizona we are blessed with around 350 days of sunshine a year, but at 7000ft altitude the winters suffer from freezing temperatures. Our home has a large deck to make the most of summer sunshine, but with our house built on an east/west aspect, we had no windows on the south side.
Being transplants from England, we thought it a great idea to add a conservatory and started hunting suppliers in Arizona. While we were able to find American style sunrooms, we wanted a traditional British conservatory, which are only custom built in the USA and still not of the same standard as British rooms and cost an arm and a leg. Enter the BB Group.
Searching the web we found a few suppliers offering rooms – all in the UK. However, after visiting a few of these sites, we found that BB Group was the easiest site to read and price a room. We looked through their selection and chose a 17’ by 13’ Victorian room, which was offered at a terrific price. A few emails followed regarding shipping and the price was agreed for shipping to Los Angeles. Ordering the room on the website was easy, and as we lived overseas, we did not have to pay VAT. We were told that ours was the first room they had sold in the USA. (I think an order from Boston was received shortly after.)
The plans arrived by airmail a few days later and we set about arranging with a local builder to erect the foundation. After recovering from his initial shock that all the measurements were in metric, I produced a tape with both measurements, and construction began. We wanted the room to be level with our deck, which raised it a couple of feet out of the ground. After the builder had stopped work due to storms, other commitments and a two-week deer-hunting season, the foundation and stem wall were complete and we were ready for the room itself. They found the instructions for erection easy and a few days later the room was finished. A door into the house was added and tiles laid and we were ready to use our room.
Over the past months, we have enjoyed the outside feeling of the room, especially during storms, when you feel like you are outdoors but still dry! With our strong sunlight, the bronze tinted roof was a great choice. The room has proved to be an excellent and valuable addition to our home.
Anon
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Dear Sirs
When we bought ‘Stainrigg Lodge’ in Nov 1999 at a price which reflected it’s poor condition, we knew that we had taken on a lot work to turn it into our dream retirement home in Scotland.
Because we live and work in Hull (212 miles away) it was two and a half years later before we face the last big project, which was to be the addition of a conservatory to take advantage of the surrounding views. However, our budget was tight. In April 2003 we asked a local company for a quotation for supply and build, when this came in at £11,500 our hearts sank.
We decided to look around for alternative ways to cut the costs. Browsing on the Internet we found www.easyfixconservatories.co.uk a DIY company based in County Durham owned by BB Group. After sending them an e-mail for more information, we decided to visit their premises and see the actual product before making a decision. They made us very welcome, provided us with drawings based on the measurements we supplied and showed us samples of the conservatories, finishes and glass etc. After talking to their staff and seeing the attention to detail in the installation instructions we decided to go ahead with the order.
We asked a local builder if he would construct to foundations and help assemble the conservatory. He told us he had never installed a conservatory before but he was willing to try.
When they notified us that conservatory was ready for delivery, it was a week early, a delivery date was agreed and they delivered on time, (a refreshing change in this day and age).
The foundations and support walls were completed in Sept 2003 and we booked a week’s holiday to be there for the build. The construction went well considering the combined experience of the ‘workers’. We had one hiccup when it was discovered a part was missing. However one phone call to the company and this was sorted this out. The part arrived by special courier the next morning. They even told us how to carry on without it so we didn’t loose any time. The whole build took 4 days from start to finish.
As you can see from the pictures it looks great and even with the extra cost of a builder we saved a staggering £5,000.
We highly recommend the BB Group for the quality of the product and the professionalism of the company.
Yours faithfully
Mr & Mrs John Wilkinson.
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hi
Just a quick note to say thanks very much for all the trouble you went to with the extra deliverys etc,rest easy it's all fitted and when plastered if you like i will send some photos.
thanks again.
D.J. McDermott
We recently purchased one of your conservatories and although it is not 100% complete internally (internal plastering) we are very pleased with your product and the ease at which it went together.
A. Mitchell and N. Cobbhi
Thanks very much.
I've fitted the door stays today using a shaving mirror for the under-door fitting - no probs., I think easier than a 71 year old balancing on top of a ladder to do them!
I must say the conservatory is very solidly designed, although my builder said it would be a bit daunting for the average do-it-yourself "expert" to tackle. Nonetheless we are very pleased with the finished product.
Your after sales service is excellent, especially your prompt reply to emails.
I see Argos and Wickes have started selling cheap conservatories very similar to yours now, but I will recommend you to my friends because of your excellent service.
Please feel free to use any of my comments in your advertising.
Mr. D. Elliot
Hi
I have always been extremely happy with the speed that my enquiries are dealt with. Pity a lot of other companies are not as good
I will fit the centre compression hinges in the next few days when I get a moment or two
David
Hello again
Yes, I have recd the part on Thursday, a little bit late but eventually arrived, thanks for that.
The project is almost finished, only the final touch and the gutter needed and I will finish it today. I will send you a photo when all done.
Thanks again for your assistance and the customer care services.
Best regards
Mr. C.M. Kwok
P.S. Recommendation will be made.
Thank you for asking, the new parts arrived Saturday and the builder will be fitting them next week.
We are delighted with the conservatory so far, we have had some terrible weather this week and there are no leaks or any other problems.
Yours
Wendy Wright
Hi. I Am delighted with the way you dealt with the problem we had with the roof . I spoke with someone about it on the phone on monday and the new roof arrived on tuesday .I am pleased to tell you that the conservatory was erected yesterday and is looking impressive. I am very grateful for the way the problem was handled with such efficiency and professionalism.
Thanks Again Yours Sincerely,
Alister Pratt
I am really impressed with the product you have sold me. It was easy to erect and the instructions wee really easy to follow. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that I think your company is top class and very professional, it has been a pleasure dealing with you. When I have finished I will email some photos to you.
Looking forward to your reply.
Scott Nixon
received conservatory 9/5/05 thank you, looks very good it will be 2 weeks before I can start erecting it, I will email you some pix when I get going,
thanks again for your fast service,
Eric
Yes, everything got sorted in the end. The new door frame had a couple of cracks in the welds but a new one arrived the following day and the correct construction plans were sent as well.
Thanks for your help and compliment you on your customer service team.
Kind regards
Chris
Hi,
We have a 4L8 conservatory which came direct from you some 5 or 6 years ago.
The building is most satisfactory and has stood up to some wild north easterlies on our rather exposed site......
Stephen Rostron (Berwickshire)
About three years ago we purchased a conservatory from you and were delighted with the product, however we are due to move house within the next few weeks and so will be requiring another conservatory.
Mr A Allonby (Cumbria)
About 12 months ago my father in law purchased a Victorian conservatory with dwarf walll from yourselves. After seeing how good the quality is and how easy the construction was I am pleased to be now in a position to purchase my own self build conservatory from yourselves. I am looking for a Victorian style measuring 5x5 pannel size with 2 opening windows, I know that the measurments are mot in feet and inches however this is my first corispondance and require a lot of help befor purchasing the conservatorie. If you do have a detailed brocure please post to my home address listed below.
Mr Anthony Latcham (Morecambe)
Having hummed and haaed I finally bought a V7 dwarf wall conservatory from you. I am writing to tell you that I am absolutely delighted with it and your service. Facing south with 6 ft of top soil we agonised for a year over the base and heat but your opal roof provide shade and the heat will be sorted out nicely by the through the wall air con units I have bought. The recent heat proved that all will be well. The floor will have underfloor heating and I have just ordered and paid for the floor tiles. So as you can see it is not finished yet but we are delighted with the ease of construction and the quality of the product.
Do please pass on to your enquiring customers our satisfaction with your conservatory.
Mrs Dianne Westoby-Brooks (Surrey)
We have just bought a place and are having a conservatory put on the front (our place is a large 'L' shape). We got your details from my husband's cousin who bought a conservatory and other items from you last year - name of John Stockan, Orkney. He was very pleased with your materials and recommended you to us hence our enquiry.
Kathleen Corsie (Orkney)
I've at last had time - and the run of weather - to construct the conservatory which you delivered about a month ago. Everything from the order process to the driver delivering was excellent. The build went fairly smoothly and everything fits together well. I am very
happy with the quality of the product. The only suggestion I would make would be with regard to the build instructions. I found it difficult to follow at times - too many words, not enough pictures - and some of the plastic trim items were not numbered. I look forward to many years' use and thank you for your service. Please pass on my thanks to the driver - I didn't catch his name but he delivers
for you frequently and he had just come back from a family holiday in Menorca.
Keith Page
Would just like to thank you all for the fast delivery you arranged for me, i cant wait to get it up lol, it looks so lovely from what i can see so far! im still waiting for my footings to be done, so i have the roof in the hallway, the pains of glass in my sons room, boxes in the kitchen, and more boxes on the landing LOLOLOL,
Once again thanku so much , one for fast delivery, two for the plans i recieved, and three for such a cool calm and collected service, was really nice and you dont find that very often!!!! (sorry took me so long to email this)
thank you
Amanda Keeble
Just a quick e-mail to let you know that I have finished building the conservatory and we were sat in it last night in the middle of that dreadful storm (I'm please to say that we had no leaks). I ended up doing all of the work including the bricklaying and we are extremely pleased with the finished job. Your instructions were very clear and easy to follow and I was particularly impressed by the overall quality. Everything arrived when you said it would and there were no nasty surprises. As you requested, I'll send you a photo.
Please accept my thanks for a wonderful service.
Jeff
Hello again this is John Macleod an old Customer, Ivor Finlayson came to look at the conservatory I erected supplied by yourselves.
There has being a number of people interested, I. am extremely impressed how it all turned out.Being a Joiner and Civil Engineer I have explained the construction details to the various people and they are equally interested so don't be surprised if you get a few more orders.
For your records, we have winds up here frequently at 100 mph and rain that comes down bounces back up again and I haven't had one drop of water come through.
I will send Pictures once I eventually finish my garden
All the Best
John Macleod
Hiya
I bought a conservatory from you a few months ago...and have now completed. We are really happy with the end product!!!!
Mark Sanders
Hi
The parts for my conservatory arrived this morning and I must take a moment to say how good your delivery team were. I found them outside at about 7.50 am, very considerately waiting until 8 am before disturbing us. They were very friendly and helpful and a real credit to you.
Richard (Yowsie)
Hi
I will be placing an order in the near future just waiting to sort things out with the Council. Your company was recommended to me by friends and I was impressed by the quality and prices, and they commented on how good the delivery and customer service from your company was.
Regards
Denise
Hi Debbie and all at Protech,
Thanks for the spot on delivery, on the very day I had hoped for.
Job now complete and looks absolutely superb.
Thursday evening put cill together and set this on a bed of mortar on the course of bricks laid earlier.
Friday worked like a dog for the whole day (I am Civil Servant all I usually carry is a brief case). By early evening all three walls, up head rail in place, door frame complete and roofing rafters in place to make sure it didn't blow away.
Saturday a slightly more leisurely day, lead flashing done, poly carb roof fitted and doors in place.
Sunday morning fit guttering and seal all appropriate places with silicon.
I must say my self taught lead flashing was a work of art. I am looking forward to the first thunderstorm now!
The quality of you product which really does go together rather like a very large three D jigsaw puzzle.
Finally the comprehensive instructions, we nearly went word blind a few times but they are really well thought out and follow in sequence beautifully. One very minor point the little alloy gizmos which the head framework screws into have changed in design since the plans were written, what should I do with all of these 70mm lengths of rubber gasket please? Only joking!
Once again many thanks you should be proud of your product it combines value and quality beautifully!
Thanks
Dave King (County Durham)
Thank you for your speedy reply. I must say that I have been so impressed by your company and delighted with the value represented in the conservatory’s quality and price. I truly regret that we forgot to take photos of the revolting old shed we demolished to make way for the conservatory and although the project has taken, and is still taking a horribly long time to complete I should indeed start to take some photos now, and will do! There is still much to do, so plenty of opportunity for a progressive photoshoot!
Thank you for all your help.
Carla Avogadri
Jessica I have received the reinforcers and I would like to thank your company for there actions and professionalism in the delivery of my conservatory and the back up that I received, but mostly I would like to thank yourself for your care and understanding and prompt actions which enabled me to finish my conservatory (it looks good ) so once again thank your company and more so thank you...
Mickey Maddison (Gateshead)
May I say how superb these conservatories are and the service I got from your team. I have errected 2 of yours and look forward to the next one. Keep up the good work it is appreciated.
Yours sincerly
Stuart Scotford-Smith (Sussex)
Hello again, I am now on the point of completing the building of my conservatory, and may I say that whole thing has been made easy from start to finish, from questions answered by you, to the ordering over the phone, to delivery of the conservatory by two very helpful guys. The build was very simple, following the assembly instructions provided, which I found very clear and concise.
The only thing I found missing from all the parts provided was 2 toplight handles, I was only supplied 2 but have 4 toplights, so if they could be sent to me please I would be most grateful.
In closing I would like to thank and your company for the superb service you provided, and I will have no worries about recommending Protech to anyone wishing to purchase a DIY conservatory.
Many thanks,
Mike Green (Suffolk)
Can i just say that the service that you have given me is top notch, and im very pleased with every thing, if you can send me some posters of your self i will put them up in work, and would be kindly recomending you,
Martin Jones (Llaneli)
Hi,
Just a quick note to say we received our conservatory and base last week. Although the base did not arrive together as we all expected it arrived as agreed on the Monday but offloaded on the Tuesday ( we had a small problem with a trolley to get the base of the lorry) Once again your customer service was fantastic after we contacted yourselves regarding the missing base you took care of everything and ensured we had delivery in keeping with our planned build time.
We constructed and levelled the base on Tuesday, we started as soon as we had delivery of the base. This took a lot more time than we expected, especially as our previously laid patio was far from level. We felt that in this case the added expense for the base was possibly worthwhile but perhaps not really required for anyone building on a true level surface. This took approx 5hrs of work but thankfully the 2 of us had the help of my tradesman brother., a title he would grow to hate in the next few days. By 7pm on Tuesday we had a level base with chipboard secured on top but not yet cut.
After an agreed early start on Wednesday of 9am and a late finish of 10:30 pm we had the main frame up with the roof on for rain protection but not yet secured. I would like to say it all went without a hitch but we had a few DUH moments and spent a period of discussing whether we would have to alter some of the top eaves using a saw? TO MAKE IT FIT! However after much perseverence we secured the eaves. This was possibly our worst head scratching episode of the build, we had up to this point checked and rechecked measurements so could not understand the reluctance of everything to fit. It did however require some force and then pop in it went.
Thursday morning saw us hang the doors, secure the roof, connect the gutterings and finally start to put all the finishings on. The tradesman left at 1pm and we continued leisurely finishing the house. We could not believe we had built the whole project in less than a week of taking delivery.
So all in all over a period of 3 days we have completed our summer house. And it looks fab. The overall quality of finish on the conservatory is great. The finishing strips to cover over joints etc looked a bit flimsy on first inspection but that was not the case.Due to them being flexible and resillient to the odd thump of a rubber hanmmer, they have completed the finish of a quality product.
As promised we shall send you pictures soon.
Many Thanks
Correna Altoft
Absolutely fantastic conservatory arrived on the arranged day, built as easy as building lego (maybe easier) finished yesterday rain today hey no leaks.
Just 1 slight prob. With the instructions we put the reinforcing brackets (123) 4 on each side as it states and shows in the picture when in fact you only need 3 on each side and 2 on the front cill, but we soon overcame this prob and continued to build and all was fine.
It fitted so well to the house that unfortunately we do not need the flashing kit and was wondering if we returned it could you refund the price of the flashing kit to our card.
So finally we are really impressed with the service, ease of build and quality of yourselves and your products adn will recommend you to anyone.
PS. We will order a carport from you next year.
Thanks.
Kabecam
We have found your company very good. We have recently written to you as i have lost the plans. But thankfully you were extremely helpful and very quick with your replies.
We haven't as yet completed the lean to but once we start be sure we will send you the photo's.
i did write once we received our order and we hd parts missing but you sent them through the post the following week!!! how can i complain about that!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would also like to say that your lorry driver was also extremely helpful and pleasant
once again thankyou and i would certainly recommend you and your company to friends
yours
Mrs Bailey
Hi
Sorry no pictures will try and get some to you though.
It went up last weekend and it was quite easy, in fact a lot easier than I really expected,and it does look good.
I will tell you about the difficult bits.
My dwarf wall was in blocks and I am not a bricklayer, the wall was a bit low, so I screwed timber to the blocks to lift the cill line, which made it easier to level and fix the call.
The flashing cover strip on top of the wall plate was a mess up, still is, although it does appear to work. could not seem to position and fix it with the rafters and cover strip in place, yes I know I should have fixed the rafter cover strips after the flashing but it either did not say or I misunderstood.
It was quite a cold day when installing and the first frame, even with a big hammer and piece of wood it would not set down, a little fairy liquid on the cill and hot water down the cill end of the frame did wonders, also when fitting the joining inserts.
Lastly the manual should say, which maybe it does, that the rafters should be positioned as near as dam it over the centre of the the panel joining strips, so that after you have positioned the roof panels you don't have a gap to make up at the last panel, remember by then you have already cut the insets between the rafters.
One of the door frames have been fixed a little out of plumb, my fault, can I unscrew the top hinge a little and pack it out say 5mm, or will the fixings in the frame fall out.
Non of the above is sent as a whinge, I am really pleased with all of it ,and as you can see it went up really fast and within reason installed on my own.
It is well worth the money, and my next door neighbour is asking lots of question now, my son is also interested in one.
So please convey my thanks to all.
Dennis Mousley
Thanks. Installation almost complete - just down pipe on gutter to fix. Installation went to plan, and am very satisfied with the result.
John Geall
Hi Sales
I have received the replacement part. I am very impressed by the serviced provided especially as it is the Christmas season.
I will hopefully fit the part this weekend.
Thankyou very much.
I will try and post you some pictures in the new year.
Regards
Malcolm Thomas
Thank you very much for your speedy response to our order for the L3 conservatory everything so far as been very satifactory.
Karen Dring (Cambs)
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