The Hidden Costs of Buying and Owning a Greenhouse - Jaderloon Greenhouses (2024)

Be sure your budget includes some of these more common construction and ownership costs:

Overlooked construction costs

  • Building, electrical, plumbing or other permits
  • Foundation – concrete, gravel, ground cover
  • Concrete for columns and anchors
  • Treated lumber for baseboards and end wall framing, if applicable
  • Site prep including clearing and grading

Overlooked ownership costs

  • Monthly electrical, water and gas costs – Prepare for higher costs of each depending on the season. Also be prepared to pay higher utility costs if your house’s heating, cooling and ventilation equipment is inefficient or undersized.
  • Maintenance costs – You have the option of doing maintenance yourself or hiring a company to do it for you. Doing it yourself can be a good way to save money. Hiring it out is a good way to be sure it is done thoroughly and correctly. Maintenance items usually include drive belt replacement, shutter inspection, fan cleaning, cooler cleaning, poly repair or replacement, and electrical and plumbing inspection. Depending on the type of environmental control system you have, it may also include thermostat calibration and controls adjustment. Develop a comprehensive maintenance plan, then be sure to follow it.
  • Insurance on the greenhouse and the plants – Buy a high-quality house from a reputable manufacturer, then protect the investment against equipment damage and crop damage. A high-quality house will minimize the damage, and a good policy will help prevent significant monetary losses.

The Hidden Costs of Buying and Owning a Greenhouse - Jaderloon Greenhouses (1)

The Hidden Costs of Buying and Owning a Greenhouse - Jaderloon Greenhouses (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to build a greenhouse or buy one? ›

If you purchase a standard greenhouse kit with no frills, it will likely cost less than it would to build a greenhouse from scratch. However, if you want a customized large greenhouse, it will be more cost effective to build it yourself.

Are greenhouses expensive to maintain? ›

Overlooked ownership costs

Monthly electrical, water and gas costs – Prepare for higher costs of each depending on the season. Also be prepared to pay higher utility costs if your house's heating, cooling and ventilation equipment is inefficient or undersized.

What is the most expensive part of a greenhouse? ›

The covering material of the greenhouse, also known as glazing, is usually the most expensive component of the structure. It is also one of the most important because the glazing is what allows the entry of light and heat into the greenhouse.

How much does it cost to start a greenhouse? ›

A professionally built greenhouse costs around $11,000, with most homeowners paying between $2,000 and $25,000. For a smaller growing space at a considerably cheaper price, homeowners can install a smaller, prefabricated greenhouse, buy a greenhouse kit, or DIY it.

Are there any disadvantages to a greenhouse? ›

Another disadvantage to greenhouses is that they tend to need more maintenance than outdoor gardens. You'll need to clean the windows and other transparent surfaces, use insect screens to keep pests out, and regularly maintain any heating, ventilation, or watering systems you have in place.

What is the most efficient type of greenhouse? ›

1 Passive solar greenhouses

They use features such as thermal mass, insulation, glazing, orientation, and ventilation to maintain optimal temperatures and humidity levels for the plants. Passive solar greenhouses can reduce heating costs by up to 90%, while also improving crop quality and diversity.

How much does a 50 ft greenhouse cost? ›

Average greenhouse costs by size
Greenhouse size (square feet)Average cost installed
50$250 – $1,500
100$500 – $3,000
250$1,300 – $7,500
500$2,500 – $15,000
6 more rows
Sep 11, 2023

What is the most profitable greenhouse product? ›

Bamboo; The most profitable greenhouse product

This plant can grow very well in different conditions. So most of the country's greenhouses can use this greenhouse product to get a lot of profit. Planting a bamboo plant allows you to achieve a high profit in the shortest possible time.

How many years does a greenhouse last? ›

The greenhouse frame can last you up to 70 years (depending on the soil's corrosiveness). While the greenhouse frame can last for 20+ years, the polycarbonate panels will last for up to 15 years, at which point you can replace with new ones and install them on the existing frame.

Are greenhouses worth the money? ›

Greenhouses provide a more controllable environment by trapping the heat from the sun creating a warm, more stable environment allowing your plants, flowers and trees to prosper for longer than a typical outdoor growing season.

What is the most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse? ›

The most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse is to purchase a standard greenhouse-building kit from a hardware store.

Is building a greenhouse worth it? ›

Greenhouses provide a more controllable environment by trapping the heat from the sun creating a warm, more stable environment allowing your plants, flowers and trees to prosper for longer than a typical outdoor growing season.

Does a greenhouse add value to a house? ›

By attaching a greenhouse to your home, you're also increasing your home's square footage. This can lead to an increase in home value, as well as provide more living space for your family.

How much of a difference does a greenhouse make? ›

On average, a greenhouse can be up to 30˚F warmer than the outside environment. However, this can vary based on the type and insulation of the greenhouse. What is this? For instance, a single-layer greenhouse might show a temperature difference of 5 to 10˚F, while a double layer can be around 9 to 14˚F warmer.

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