How Much Does It Cost To Build A Greenhouse From Scratch

Greenhouses are a critical addition to the yards of homeowners that love growing their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In northern climates, a greenhouse is an essential part of the cultivation process because the extended duration of cold on either end of the primary growing season increases the need to plant indoors for a full harvest.

Forbes Advisor reports that the average cost to install a newly built greenhouse on your property hovers right around $15,000 for a large, custom construction. However, it's important to note that greenhouses can range across a substantial price gap, from $2,500 to over $25,000, depending on the size, materials used, and customizations desired. Alternatively, homeowners can introduce a small, prefabricated greenhouse or use a greenhouse kit for a minimized growing space that comes with a much lower cost — typically ringing up between $1,000 and $2,000, according to Greenhouse Info.

A greenhouse can range in scale from something resembling a commercial setup to a simple installation that protects a few key plants through the winter months. But all greenhouses share a few key features that will certainly play a role in your decision to install one type over another.

In addition to the more obvious costs associated with this construction project, there are some other features that are essential to a successful greenhouse installation, which can raise the overall price of the project.

Laying a foundation is critical for larger greenhouse installations

As mentioned previously, building a permanent greenhouse requires the use of a foundation. This means digging out a section of the yard, leveling it off, and making use of concrete mix and rebar to provide stability and structure. Many homeowners opt to tackle smaller foundation pouring operations on their own. HomeAdvisor estimates that 40% to 60% of the overall cost of a new foundation lies in the labor, so eliminating this expense can really save you a lot of money when approaching a smaller job that can potentially be managed without the help of a professional.

However, it's important to note that the foundation acts as a support system for the entire project. Therefore, it's a good idea to ensure that you know exactly what you're doing before engaging in this project on your own.

Ventilation and shading play a role in the health of your protected plant life

It might seem counterintuitive initially to add ventilation or shading elements to a greenhouse, but the truth is that plants can easily overheat in this environment, making these additions essential for your climate control needs. The Royal Horticultural Society reports that plants grown in greenhouse environments (those making use of polycarbonate column glass and other framing materials to help seal off an indoor growing environment from the outdoor climate) require shading and ventilation during the summer months, in particular.

Garden & Greenhouse suggests that ventilation is crucial for both humidity and temperature control, but also helps with air circulation that provides plants with clean, healthy air, and the natural wind effect that they need to grow effectively. Fixr estimates that the average cost of a home ventilation system is $400, with roof exhaust fan installation (that more closely mirrors the fan layout that might be used in a greenhouse) costing around $120.

As well as air circulation, protection from the most intense sunlight is critical for a grower looking to prevent burning or excessive evaporation that leaves plants trying to grow in too arid an environment (via University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension).

Lighting and heating additions add to the bottom line

Depending on the type of plants you're growing, additional lighting and heating elements may be required to support the needs of your crop. Greenhouse Emporium reports that plants can be coaxed into more efficient growth with the help of particular light wavelengths, specifically red and blue light. Adding bulbs or other specialized growing lamps that can be used when needed and deactivated when not can take your greenhouse to the next level. These are particularly good for homeowners who want to make use of their greenhouse to support all-season growing, even in the most intense winter cold.

Just like lighting additions, heat mats and other passive or active heating elements can make the difference between a greenhouse that supports thriving growth during the cold months or one that simply allows you to protect crops in their dormancy. Depending on your location, the installation of dedicated heat sources may be a requirement, or it may simply act as a balm that helps you reliably extend the growing season.

The plants themselves can add up

Lastly, the plants that you'll be growing in the greenhouse add to the final cost. Homeowners looking to build a flower garden often expect a fairly minimal budget, with a huge variety of options to choose from (via Gardening Etc). Likewise, gardeners thinking of adding fruits and vegetables to the planning space of the greenhouse can often find deals on great seeds. However, bare-root plants, trees, and other established plants will often come at a premium.

Additionally, small trees sourced from the nursery can often run you around $100 per tree, according to Angi. Smaller trees are a great addition to larger greenhouses because they can provide an abundance of fruits or nuts for the family. But trees and larger bushes come at a cost.

Greenhouses offer themselves as a great beautification element to your property, but they also provide a variety of excellent additions to your lifestyle and property's value on top of the shift in aesthetics.

Greenhouses and garden spaces can add to the property value

Planted Shack estimates that gardens and greenhouses can raise your property value by as much as 5%. This is great news for homeowners looking to enhance their garden while also bringing a new addition to the property that will eventually pay financial dividends as well. Realty Times reports that a greenhouse can add to the aesthetic look of a property on the market, and interested buyers often flock to homes that include these types of unique amenities.

However, It's important to remember that shoddy workmanship can actually detract from the financial value of the home and its exterior landscape (via House Affection). Therefore, any homeowner looking to add this feature to their outdoor space will want to ensure a high-quality build that lasts for many years and won't become a liability in the future.

Using a greenhouse can transform the way you do your weekly shopping

The addition of a greenhouse can also change the way you think about shopping for groceries. An avid gardener can cultivate a significant vegetable or fruit selection, augmenting the kitchen and pantry in a meaningful way. What's more, homegrown fruits and vegetables often taste far superior to those bought in the store. Mitchell's Nursery & Greenhouse reports that store-bought fruits and vegetables are harvested before they reach peak ripeness, and the time it takes to move produce from the field to the shelf can have a dramatic impact on the chemical and biological makeup of its sugars and other compounds.

The calmness of agriculture offers a slowdown to the rapid pace of modern life

Lastly, many homeowners are making a turn toward self-sufficiency and the peace and tranquility that a garden can provide as a result of the hectic world that surrounds the average consumer these days. Agriculture provides an intense calm, and this is perhaps why so many people are engaging in gardening in the modern world, with garden-specific spending increasing by 77% from April to June of 2021, according to Country Living.