The Hidden Costs of Buying and Owning a Greenhouse

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.