A greenhouse home addition can cost anywhere from $13,000 to $35,000. The cost depends on the size and materials used, with the national average cost range between $5,000 and $20,000. Most people pay around $10,000 for a backyard greenhouse measuring 10′ x 40′ with a gable roof. Building a greenhouse costs $8,689 on average, depending on the build and its size. Most spend between $3,071 and $15,244.
Installing a greenhouse can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars if you pick up a DIY kit and build it yourself to over $30,000 if you decide to hire a professional to construct it. According to Forbes, the national average for a professionally installed greenhouse is about $11,000, with most homeowners spending between $2,000 and $25,000.
The average cost for a greenhouse structure is $9,640, or between $3,071 and $16,209. That works out to around $20 per square foot. The cost of a greenhouse kit is $3350, tax is $460, shipping is $275, and the greenhouse base installed is $1800 (6×6 cedar + crushed stone). Greenhouse kit assembly is $1500.
To find expert installers, visit local professionals and get quotes from local professionals today. The average cost range is $5 to $35 a square foot, but many factors impact your total cost. The length of your greenhouse does not contribute nearly as much as the other factors.
📹 What I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Got A Greenhouse
While my greenhouse is custom, it’s only one of the many options @BCGreenhouseBuilders offers across to suit any budget!
How long does greenhouse installation take?
The Growing Spaces offers two installation options for their Growing Dome greenhouse kits: Supervisor Only and Supervisor Plus One. The Supervisor Only option is available for 15′ through 33′ Growing Domes, requiring assistance from a Certified Supervisor to install the kit. The supervisor works with the owner and/or crew to install the greenhouse, assisting with the installation and instructing locally hired crew members, volunteers, and owners. Technical support is provided by phone leading up to the installation date.
The installation of solar greenhouses with just one supervisor usually takes 2-4 days, depending on weather, Growing Dome size, number, and crew expertise. Supervisors are hired for specific hours (20-40), and separate travel and shipping costs apply. Lodging expenses for the Growing Spaces supervisor and installer also apply.
The Supervisor Plus One option is available for 22′ through 42′ Growing Domes, with the installation being safer and smoother when at least one Supervisor is hired for a 33′ and one for a 42′. The estimated build time is two to five days, depending on Growing Dome size, weather, and local hired help. The Supervisor will advise and work with the owner and/or local hired hands, and the installer(s) will spread gravel for the gravel ring foundation option only.
Do greenhouses stay warm overnight?
Greenhouses use thermal mass elements like concrete floors, bricks, or barrels filled with water to absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night, stabilizing temperature fluctuations. Proper insulation is crucial for retaining heat, with greenhouse walls and roofs designed to minimize heat loss. Double-glazed windows, multiple layers of plastic film, bubble wrap, or thermal curtains can enhance insulation. In severe winter regions, additional heating systems like electric or gas heaters, wood-burning stoves, or hot water pipes are employed to provide additional heat when the sun alone isn’t enough.
Will a greenhouse stay warm in winter?
A greenhouse is a structure that uses natural solar heating, thermal mass, and insulation to provide warmth to plants. Sunlight passes through the greenhouse, warming the interior and absorbing by plants and soil. Thermal mass elements like concrete floors, bricks, or barrels filled with water absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night, stabilizing temperature fluctuations. Proper insulation is crucial for retaining heat, with greenhouse walls and roofs designed to minimize heat loss. Double-glazed windows, multiple layers of plastic film, bubble wrap, or thermal curtains can also be used to trap heat during cold nights.
Why are greenhouses so expensive?
The cost of constructing a greenhouse depends on various factors, including size, design complexity, materials used, location, labor costs, and permits. Greenhouse kits are generally cheaper than custom-built options, as they come with pre-cut materials and detailed instructions for easy assembly. Custom-built greenhouses offer more flexibility in design and can be tailored to specific needs. Operating a greenhouse once built can include heating, cooling, lighting, water, and fertilizers, which can vary depending on the size of the greenhouse and the plants being grown.
Are indoor greenhouses worth it?
Indoor greenhouses are compact and portable, allowing for the growth of a wide variety of potted plants, including herbs used in everyday cooking and baking. They also improve air quality by generating oxygen and having air purifying properties. Indoor greenhouses are ideal for people living in condos or apartment buildings without access to a backyard, as they allow them to grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables without worrying about space limitations. They also provide a calming and pleasing aesthetic, making them an ideal solution for those who may not have access to a backyard.
Why do greenhouses fail?
Greenhouse issues can be managed by changing air filters regularly, controlling temperature swings, and maintaining existing heating systems. Overly hot greenhouses can be controlled with shade cloth or a greenhouse whitewash. Irrigation and fertigation systems can be addressed by timely repair or replacement of defective equipment, flushing systems with hydrogen peroxide and water solution, and cleaning drippers with a hydrogen peroxide and water solution.
Mold issues can encourage pests and diseases, necessitating system disinfection after each harvest using a water and hydrogen peroxide mix. Fertilizer salt accumulation in fertigation lines can cause nutrient solution spikes in electrical conductivity, so regular inspection and cleaning are essential. If crops seem dehydrated, inspect water, timing, and cycle controls for clogs or failures to prevent under or over watering. Signing up for the Gardening Know How newsletter can also provide a free download of the DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.
Why are greenhouses a problem?
Traditional greenhouses, powered by non-renewable energy sources, significantly contribute to CO2 emissions, with conventional greenhouses emitting around 575kg of CO2 per ton of lettuce. Advanced greenhouses, using renewable energy and closed-loop water systems, emit 352kg of CO2 per ton. This highlights the need for technological and methodological advancements to reduce greenhouse environmental impact. Additionally, greenhouses require significant energy to maintain optimal growing conditions, often sourced from fossil fuels, resulting in carbon emissions.
What are the 5 disadvantages of greenhouse?
Greenhouse farming presents a number of challenges, including the necessity for expertise, high initial costs, the requirement for extensive knowledge to ensure successful crop growth, high operational costs, significant maintenance, space consumption, and a lengthy project duration.
What are the negative effects of greenhouses?
The principal consequences of climate change include coastal flooding, desertification, glacial melting, and the emergence of destructive hurricanes.
How much does it cost to install a greenhouse?
A professionally built greenhouse costs around $11, 000, with most homeowners paying between $2, 000 and $25, 000. For smaller growing spaces, homeowners can install a smaller, prefabricated greenhouse, buy a greenhouse kit, or DIY it. There are several universal greenhouse elements that can help build the ideal greenhouse for your needs. Factors that affect cost include size, related services, pro cost vs. DIY cost, cost by location, and FAQ. By choosing the right option, homeowners can save money on greenhouse maintenance and installation costs.
Is a greenhouse worth having?
Growing your own fruit and vegetables all year round doesn’t require a greenhouse, but it can help extend cropping and start off earlier in the season. Glass protection is essential for certain fruits and vegetables to thrive. Enjoying your own greenhouse-nurtured tomatoes is a delicious experience. Additionally, selling surplus produce at local farmer’s markets or setting up a stall outside your home can provide extra income. With the right setup, you could have your own greenhouse business on the go, allowing you to grow your own produce year-round.
📹 The TRUE COST of a GREENHOUSE KIT. What does a greenhouse cost after the hidden expenses?
My greenhouse kit didn’t cost anywhere near the sticker price. It was more than double! Find out the true cost of a greenhouse is in …
Totally agree i bought my small green house, took me 4 weeks to assemble and bought around 300 extra screws to make it stronger plus built a new sliding door as the frame they supplied was too flimsy, i than built my own automated roof vents as it came with just 1, silicon all panels, raised beds, stone floor, fans ect. a small $600 green house has cost so far around $1300, great article mate Australia
I wish I had seen this article before I installed my Sungrow! I opted for growing in the ground and used the anchors that came with the kit. IfI could do it over I would opt for a base. The main complaint I have concerns the doors. The guys who put mine together are good builders, they have built houses, but they struggled with the instructions. The doors don’t look nearly as good as yours. We ended up having to buy tuck tape. Yes, automatic windows are a must.
I agree with you! We bought the 10×13 and it has taken a team of highly functioning farmers and engineers experienced with building high tunnels and greenhouse as part of their everyday lives; it took a very long time. The instructions can certainly be better and they didn’t have anyone that would come to CT. The articles are helpful but stopping for each step is time consuming. As you said the screws are tiny and horrible to install. It’s beautiful for sure but had I known how long it would take and it’s complexities I probably would’ve opt not to buy it specially for the high kit price. Thanks for sharing your experience and for your transparency! Blessings
Great article! I watch this saying to myself “I’ll be that’s almost twice the cost now with supply and demand, and the rise in prices for everything under the sun including greenhouse supplies etc. I did build 2 24x60x132 hoop houses last year and luckily bought most of my materials early in the year, and watched the price in some cases double for ALL the things I purchased to build them. I opted out of using any kits. It was a lot of work (about 7 months) but I saved a ton of money going this route. Also, another option rather than auto-vents/windows would be a greenhouse exhaust fan with a thermostat switch.
Just came across this article. I am currently putting together my greenhouse from a kit. (Looks like the same company). I am retired so have lots of time. As I was a mechanic my whole life I didn’t find it too difficult however I won’t be as polite as you and the say the instructions (or lack of) suck. I took down a pergola which I hated and so I used the pressure treated 6×6’s off that as my base. I also had some pressure treated 2×12’s from a raised bed I took down and so transferred those into my greenhouse beds. So not counting my plants I would estimate it cost about $1000 extra. That would be for tax, delivery and extra soil I didn’t have. I managed to get it all done myself. If you are not a diy and mechanically inclined person I would pay to have it installed.
I bought the same brand of greenhouse. Everything you said was true. It was a nightmare, particularly with the gasket which is poorly designed. The additional supports needed to be stressed into place. The peaks didn’t exactly align but the roof cap covered that up. The side panels needed to be trimmed to fit. You are totally right about the directions. At the end, it is a solid greenhouse. I did make a small work table out of the pallet
Great article! You are spot on with your cost. I purchased the Planta 10’x13’ Sigma greenhouse kit for $2,600. Electrical cost for conduit and labor $3,500. The inside is totally water proof with 6 receptacles incased as well as 3 water proof lights. Exhaust fan on one end with 2 intake shutters on the other end that automatically open when fan turns on. I have 2 small electric greenhouse heaters to keep greenhouse warm. Electricity was well worth the cost. Purchased a 40% shade cloth to fit over the greenhouse so the fan doesn’t run all day, even with both doors open. The reason I purchased this greenhouse is because it has 2 door that helps with ventilation, plus my garden is on one side and my small orchard is on the other side. Like your cost for framing, stone, brackets, screws, etc all are additional cost. My total was just over $8,000. And yes, you need and extra person to help with the build. Lucky for me, my retired next door neighbor who is an engineer volunteered willingly to be my project manager. If you don’t have electricity, you can’t control the cold or the hot weather. To do that their is a cost.
We bought from Growers Solution in TN USA and it was made very clear what the greenhouse kit cost and what it came with. (And what needed to be bought seperately) They quoted us freight very clearly but we elected to pick it up. Maybe the company you bought from wasn’t as clear on what was needed? Our greenhouse is 25×40 and was about 4 thousand all told.
I got caught up in the excitement of getting a greenhouse kit but didn’t think about the total cost. I am learning the hard way. Mine is currently in the construction process. I wished I had seen your article before I purchased the greenhouse. Actually triple the cost if you can’t diy and choose to use a Jack leg with no building experience. I’m almost afraid and prayerful the thing won’t fall down eventually. It would have been better to have a well thought out plan which included considering all of the cost you mentioned. Thanks for the article.
Yes Mam these things can shonuff get into your wallet real fast. Even with the cheap brand I buy cost a good penny once you add on all the other things needed to make a good strong greenhouse. This pandemic drove prices way up. The one I am building now is costing almost three times more then my other two did. Very nice greenhouse ya got there! You will enjoy it for many years to come. Stay safe up there and have a wonderful weekend!
I think you did pretty well on that. First, great article. You have a great quality greenhouse and if you did all the extras for the money you said, you really got a steal. Could you tell me where you bought this kit? I’d planned on building from scratch, but if I can get something like that for the money you quoted, I’ll reconsider.
I’m in zone 4a in northern ny. Winter gardening is interesting. I know U.S. zones are different than Canada, but is your winter close to what we have here? It can get down anywhere to as low as -35 F being the extreme with wind chill. A few days of maybe -20 to -25 F normally as the coldest. Your article was very informative.
…saved money and did use or re use neighbors used flats for seedlings next year …still bought them tho too… but it helps… and theres the actual dirt or potting soil mix,,, don’t get me going on heat cost … zone 6 here …bottom line love to play in there but only … early spring till late fall … closed in winters … also … it you do have a wind problem then look at double polly coverings there better in wind and snow …the double layer sure helps with the snow removal and hail or wind … get the largest greenhouse you can find…when new move a patio set into it so you can relax and enjoy it as soon enough this space will get too small …about venting…when G H gets too warm… I used some plastic screen and plastic flap …so when exhaust fan comes on there is air movement from the screen flap … once you get it started the more you grow the more you know … enjoy your new space …
Thanks for great article, I just bought a Sungrow 10×20 from Planta and wanted to ask you how your base made out through winter, I live 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto so I’m concerned about frost heaving, how deep is the crushed gravel you put down ? And besides the corner brackets you used did you secure the wood frame to ground in anyway? One last question (sorry) I was wondering if I need that tape you were talking about ? I haven’t seen anyone else mention that. Thanks AL