Would you be better off using free greenhouse plans or a pre-packaged greenhouse kit?

The money you save by using free greenhouse plans is not always the best value. A greenhouse kit includes the greenhouse designs, but also all the materials to build it. When you start with free greenhouse plans, you need to go out and buy all the materials. In many cases you’ll even have to work out what materials you’ll need. When you start with a greenhouse kit, this is all done for you already.

If you’re comfortable with working out a materials list or have a lot of building materials on hand, free greenhouse plans may be the way to go. There are plenty of styles and sizes of greenhouses for which you can find free plans. If you’re not comfortable doing this part of the work, a greenhouse kit is much easier.

Free greenhouse plans do have a couple of advantages over a greenhouse kit…

For one thing, when you’re using free greenhouse plans you can modify them however you like and then buy the materials accordingly. When you buy a greenhouse kit, you’ve got the materials to build one plan only – no modifications. Most greenhouse supply companies will not customize your kit for you.

Another advantage of free greenhouse plans versus a greenhouse kit can be cost. Aside from the cost of the plan itself, you can find free plans that use common PVC pipe for the frame of your greenhouse. Most kits are made of more expensive materials, such as wood or aluminum. If you’re just using your greenhouse for seed starting and don’t need anything fancy, this can be a big cost savings. Take a look at our greenhouse kits page for some recommended sources for greenhouse kits and equipment.

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