There are several good reasons why anyone would want to buy used greenhouses.
Some may buy them because they want to save the environment, others may be looking to save money, while others just don’t want to deal with the hassle of constructing a new greenhouse.
If you really know how to spot a good deal, sometimes all you need to do is make a few minor repairs and then you can have a perfect greenhouse of your own.
Self Evaluation – Why Buy a Used Greenhouse?
Before you go out looking for a second-hand greenhouse, or even a new greenhouse for that matter, you should first evaluate why you’re getting one. You should consider the kinds of plants you intend to grow. Are you doing it as a new hobby or are you going to use it for business?
Another thing you should consider is the weather conditions in your given area. You should determine how hot or how cold it gets in your state or territory. This helps you decide what sort of heater or how much ventilation you ought to get. You should also consider if you intend to use it off season just to extend your own growing season.
One last thing you should check is your availability and at times your willingness to assemble the greenhouse on your own. Take note that some companies that sell used greenhouses only tear them down and deliver them to you. You should inquire if the company will also install your newly bought greenhouse. Answering these questions will give you an idea what items should be in the greenhouse you want to get and the specific qualities your new greenhouse should have.
Types of Greenhouses
Take note that there are a couple of types of greenhouses out there. The more expensive one is the glass greenhouse and the cheaper one is the plastic greenhouse. Glass greenhouses are more effective than plastic ones. The difference is that the plastic ones are way cheaper than the ones made of glass. Glass greenhouses require more maintenance than plastic greenhouses.
Used Greenhouse Checklist
Recycling greenhouse frames is quite a common practice especially if these greenhouses are top of the line. Those who are looking for second hand greenhouses should check the condition of the frames. Another thing they should look out for is the quality of the glass used, though that isn’t as important as the frame.
You should also assess how much damage needs fixing. If ever the cost of repairing the damaged sections or parts isn’t comparable to buying a new one then you should look for another one that is used or just get a new one. At any rate, you should consider how much you are willing to spend and how much you can really afford.
Another thing you should check is the ventilation available with the used model. Check the louvers and see if they are in good condition. Check the condition of any shutters or blinds or any other slats that are used to let air in and keep the rain out. Include the repairs on ventilation in your costs. You may even haggle with the original owner to lower the price since this and other parts are damaged.
The heater is one of the crucial elements of a greenhouse. This is especially true for those who intend to grow their plants during the off season. If there is no heating system installed you should inquire with the owner about it. Or if it is damaged, you should include in your calculations the cost of buying a new heater or repairing the old one. Again, you should point this out to the one selling the used greenhouse and see if you can drag the cost down even lower.
Finding Used Greenhouses
Finding the right used second-hand greenhouse isn’t as easy as getting a new one. When you buy a new one, you get to talk to designers and tell them what you want installed in a brand new greenhouse. However, with the right specifications written down, you can check out several sources of information and get what you want after some diligent effort.
You can look up used greenhouses in newspapers, checkout flyers in garden centers or stores where you get gardening supplies, see what is available online, and inquiring from those who already own one. People may ask what size or dimensions of a greenhouse are you looking for. One thing you should remember is that the bigger the size of the greenhouse you’re looking at the bigger is its cost.
One good tip about shopping for a second-hand greenhouse is to ask why the other fellow is selling it. You can begin by pointing out the good qualities of the greenhouse they’re selling and then ask why they want to sell it. Of course they may give you several reasons why like they’re moving, they quit gardening, or may be they are upgrading.
However, you should also take into consideration the flaws you saw and contrast that with the reasons they give you for selling the greenhouse. Remember that you don’t want to buy other people’s headaches. If ever the person selling you the greenhouse is honest enough to admit the problems he’s been having with the old greenhouse you can now better assess whether you really want to buy the thing or not. Always thank the other guy for his honesty.