How much to pay for greenhouse build?

11 years ago

I've had that HF 10x12 sitting in my garage for about 4 years now (pathetic, but....), so this year i have made the conscious decision, a move is not forthcoming, so it will be built. the guy that was going to do it passed away. another guy suggested he could do it, but when he did some drywall work for me, i certainly would not have him build a greenhouse. anyway, i have a couple of recommendations, have seen the quality of their work, but i want to be able to negotiate a fair and reasonable price.

anyone with any thoughts?

thanks so much.

maryanne

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Comments (5)

defrost49
11 years ago
Price is going to depend on your area as well as the person's experience. Ask each for a bid to do the whole job for set price. Talk to each to decide if you can "get along". Don't waste their time when they are trying to work and don't keep changing your mind about something. Have each estimate the time it will take and when they can do the job. You may have already waited too long for someone to do a small job on your time table. The good guys may already have jobs lines up thru the summer.

I hope I don't sound harsh but both my husband and son are in the business. In zone 5, it's warm enough to pour concrete and big jobs are starting. If you're lucky, this doesn't that long to build and a busy person might agree to fit you in in between jobs as time allows.
earthlydelights
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks defrost. at this point, i would only go with a reputable contractor, and given the fact that i've waited this long, if he fit me in at his schedule, i'd be content.
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billala
11 years ago
I'm no pro, but I've put up a couple. Other than leveling and squaring, there isn't much similarity to carpentering. It's more like assembling an ultra-light or bicycle.
cole_robbie
11 years ago
I haven't dealt with a HF greenhouse, but often the manufacturers of kits will be able to give you an estimated number of man-hours it should take to assemble a kit.
mudhouse_gw
11 years ago
We aged ours in the box for a while too, it's not pathetic. :-)

The time it takes to build the greenhouse will also depend on how it's built. If your contractor only follows the Harbor Freight manual, and builds it with no modifications for strength, no weatherstripping on the panels, and no screws and additional clips for panel security, and no extra secure foundation, it will go faster.

I've had mine up for 6 years now and I don't think it would still be standing if it were not for the (pretty simple) recommendations posted in this forum for modifying the kit to withstand strong winds...we live in a very windy climate.

I gathered many of those recommendations and put them in a blog. You could consider sharing the link with potential contractors, so they'd have a feel for what's involved, if you think it would be helpful. In addition to the manual, the photos in my blog might help them estimate the work involved.

Building our Harbor Freight 10x12 Greenhouse