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 |  | Small Greenhouse Kit: $500-$2,500 |  | Large Greenhouse Kit: $3,000-$15,000+ |  | Custom Greenhouse: $10,000-$50,000+ |
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A small greenhouse can extend the growing season to all year long by allowing sunlight to enter and preventing heat from escaping. Vegetable-Gardening-and-Greenhouses.com explains how a greenhouse works[1] . Typically a greenhouse has a metal or wood framework with walls and a ceiling made of glass or plastic, and many are now made with panels of polycarbonate. Outdoor greenhouses can be free-standing structures or can be attached to an existing building. Depending on preferences and budget, a greenhouse can range from a small 6'x8' plastic kit to a 12'x18' or larger permanent structure. It can have a dirt floor, a plastic or metal base provided with a kit, or a concrete foundation, Utilities can be provided with garden hoses and extension cords or by installing water lines and electrical outlets.
Typical costs: | - A small (6'x8' to 10'x10') prefabricated greenhouse kit can cost $500-$2,500 for a simple metal structure with plastic panels, a roof window to allow moisture and heat to escape, and a door. For example, the EasyGrow Greenhouse[2] is 6'x8' and 7'2" high with an extruded aluminum frame and 4mm translucent polycarbonate panels, and sells for $875-$1,100.
- Larger, more elaborate and/or more durable greenhouse kits can cost $3,000-$15,000 or more, depending on size, style and materials, plus features such as a shade cover, misting system, additional vents or automatic vent openers. For example, the 8'x12' rectangular Rhino Greenhouse has an aluminum frame, comes with a base (so it doesn't require a foundation), has toughened glass panels and two louvered windows, and sells for $4,595. The circular Growing Spaces 18 Ft. Diameter Growing Dome[3] has 250 square feet, is 10' high, and sells for $5,995-$7,300, with owner-supplied items adding roughly $600 to the construction costs. And the 10'x15' Grand Victorian Greenhouse is 9' high, has 4mm tempered glass with metal side panels, double swinging doors and a 5" high base; it sells for about $14,000.
- A lean-to greenhouse is erected against the side of an existing building. A mini lean-to can start at $200-$600, but larger walk-in models can cost $2,000-$10,000 or more. For example, the 4'x6'x76" EasyStart Lean-to is made of aluminum and 4mm polycarbonate panels with a sliding door and an optional base, and sells for $345-$490; and the 6'x12' Curved Eave Cross Country Lean-to Greenhouse[4] sells for $3,445, while the 14'x20' model sells for $8,926.
- Hiring a contractor to build a custom greenhouse with a solid foundation, plumbing, heating and electricity can start at $10,000-$20,000 for a small structure, but can cost $25,000-$50,000 or more.
Related articles: Indoor Greenhouse, Utility Sink, Adding an Electrical Outlet, Handyman, Greenhouse
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What should be included: | - Most greenhouse kits include instructions and all materials needed for construction. However, some inexpensive kits ($300-$500) use a wooden frame and the lumber is not included in the kit.
- The West Virginia University Extension Services provides a detailed overview of planning and building a greenhouse[5] .
- Erecting even a basic greenhouse kit might require a building permit from the local planning department. Check local regulations before beginning construction.
Additional costs: | - Total costs will vary significantly depending on whether utilities are provided using hoses and extension cords, or if electrical and water hookups need to be added. Installing new plumbing and electrical lines can add a few hundred to a few thousand dollars or more.
- Many greenhouse kits are designed to be erected directly on the dirt, or a base floor is included in the kit. If a more solid foundation is desired, pouring a concrete will add to the total; exact costs will vary based on local rates, and the size and width of the slab.
- Outdoor greenhouses may require some type of heater. See How Much Does a Space Heater Cost.
- Cooling can be provided by a simple fan ($10-$50+) or by covering the roof with shade cloth or roller shades (starting around $25-$100, but increasing to $1,000 or more).
Discounts: | - A DIY greenhouse can range from a hoop or dome structure covered with rolls of plastic to a carefully crafted building on a cement foundation. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service explains how to build a backyard greenhouse[6] and H2otHouse Greenhouses[7] sells greenhouse plans for $25-$150.
- BlueGrassGardens.com provides links to a number of sites offering free greenhouse plans[8] .
Shopping for an outdoor greenhouse: | - The Hobby Greenhouse Association provides detailed tips to consider before buying a greenhouse[9] .
- Greenhouse kits are sold at home improvement centers like Home Depot[10] or Lowe's[11] ; big box discount stores like Target[12] ; and online retailers like Amazon[13] , ACF Greenhouses[14] and International Greenhouse Company[15] .
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External Resources: | - www.vegetable-gardening-and-greenhouses.com/how-does-a-greenhouse-work.html
- www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/easygrow-greenhouse/hobby-greenhouses
- www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/greenhouse_kit.php
- www.littlegreenhouse.com/country-lean.shtml
- www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/building.htm
- www.i4at.org/surv/green.htm
- www.h2othouse.com/html/orders.html
- www.bluegrassgardens.com/how-to-build-greenhouse-plans.html
- www.hobbygreenhouse.org/text/Directory_Preamble3.pdf
- www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Greenhouses/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zaqn7/h_d2/N...
- www.lowes.com/pl_Greenhouses_4294935924_4294937087_
- www.target.com/s/greenhouse#keywords=greenhouse&searchNodeID=3151061&ref=sr_bx_1_1...
- www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_353296982_12?ie=UTF8&node=11055931&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX...
- www.littlegreenhouse.com/greenhouse.shtml
- www.igcusa.com/hobby-greenhouses/
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