Do I need planning permission?
Mostly the answer is No. BUT - if you want to build within 2m of a shared boundary there are some restrictions on height.
The Planning Portal website is a great resource that most councils also use to determine whether approvals are needed. The site sets out clearly all the conditions that apply.
Greenhouses are termed to be temporary building structures, akin to conservatories, and don't come under planning or building regulations requirements. However, there are other conditions to be aware of. The structure shouldn't be taller than 2.5m if within 2m of a shared boundary but can be 3m high if more than 2m away from the shared boundary. If you live in a listed building or a conservation area you will need to seek approval from the council who will be interested in the appearance of the greenhouse. The sketch plan I send out with my quote is usually helpful enough and you can copy and forwarded that on to them. It's worth 'phoning your council to check - they can usually confirm immediately what their conditions are and often tell you to go ahead.
Mostly the answer is No. BUT - if you want to build within 2m of a shared boundary there are some restrictions on height.
The Planning Portal website is a great resource that most councils also use to determine whether approvals are needed. The site sets out clearly all the conditions that apply.
Greenhouses are termed to be temporary building structures, akin to conservatories, and don't come under planning or building regulations requirements. However, there are other conditions to be aware of. The structure shouldn't be taller than 2.5m if within 2m of a shared boundary but can be 3m high if more than 2m away from the shared boundary. If you live in a listed building or a conservation area you will need to seek approval from the council who will be interested in the appearance of the greenhouse. The sketch plan I send out with my quote is usually helpful enough and you can copy and forwarded that on to them. It's worth 'phoning your council to check - they can usually confirm immediately what their conditions are and often tell you to go ahead.
| Planning Portal guidance sheet.pdf |
I like the look of your greenhouses, what's next?
Complete the contact form telling me the size of greenhouse you would like. I will send you a detailed quote with sketch plans showing all sides of the greenhouse and internal shelving. If you are happy with this return one signed copy in the SAE envelope or send a scan or photo of your signed page back via email. Once we get near to the agreed start date for my first visit I will ask you to make the deposit payment - usually equivalent to 20% of the total.
First visit - Building the base. I will order all building materials to arrive the day before my first visit. I am usually on site for 3 to 4 days laying the foundations, building the walls, flagging out the interior (I sleep in the van and have toilet and cooking facilities on board). On completion of these works I ask for another 25% payment.
Second visit - erecting the greenhouse. I usually return 2-3 weeks later with the completed greenhouse and glass to erect and complete your greenhouse. The final balance is then to be paid.
Complete the contact form telling me the size of greenhouse you would like. I will send you a detailed quote with sketch plans showing all sides of the greenhouse and internal shelving. If you are happy with this return one signed copy in the SAE envelope or send a scan or photo of your signed page back via email. Once we get near to the agreed start date for my first visit I will ask you to make the deposit payment - usually equivalent to 20% of the total.
First visit - Building the base. I will order all building materials to arrive the day before my first visit. I am usually on site for 3 to 4 days laying the foundations, building the walls, flagging out the interior (I sleep in the van and have toilet and cooking facilities on board). On completion of these works I ask for another 25% payment.
Second visit - erecting the greenhouse. I usually return 2-3 weeks later with the completed greenhouse and glass to erect and complete your greenhouse. The final balance is then to be paid.
What are the size options?
Please feel free to ask for whatever you want. It might be easier to see how big you want your greenhouse to be / how much of the garden do you want it to take up. Some people say they like the "Mark" but want it 1m longer, or want a 4m long greenhouse with a porch on the long side, I have drawn so many plans there is little I haven't been asked for. Asking for something completely bespoke doesn't increase the price or add on any significant extra work.
Please feel free to ask for whatever you want. It might be easier to see how big you want your greenhouse to be / how much of the garden do you want it to take up. Some people say they like the "Mark" but want it 1m longer, or want a 4m long greenhouse with a porch on the long side, I have drawn so many plans there is little I haven't been asked for. Asking for something completely bespoke doesn't increase the price or add on any significant extra work.
What colours do people choose?
The paint I use (Profilan Impra Opac) can be mixed to any colour you can find - just let me know the RAL no. or the chart you chose it from. Most people tend to use the Farrow & Ball colour chart. Popular colour choices at the moment are the greens - Lichen, Vert De Terre, Green Smoke - but I have been impressed by the dark black choice of Railings and the dark brown of London Clay. The darker, stronger colours tend to look better outside whilst I personally find the lighter colours look too harsh and tend to show the dirt easily. It's always worth getting some sample pots and painting some wood to see what the colour looks like in your garden - I'm always amazed how colours look different in other parts of the country and throughout the day.
The paint I use (Profilan Impra Opac) can be mixed to any colour you can find - just let me know the RAL no. or the chart you chose it from. Most people tend to use the Farrow & Ball colour chart. Popular colour choices at the moment are the greens - Lichen, Vert De Terre, Green Smoke - but I have been impressed by the dark black choice of Railings and the dark brown of London Clay. The darker, stronger colours tend to look better outside whilst I personally find the lighter colours look too harsh and tend to show the dirt easily. It's always worth getting some sample pots and painting some wood to see what the colour looks like in your garden - I'm always amazed how colours look different in other parts of the country and throughout the day.
How often will I need to repaint it?
On average, every 10 years. We use Profilan Impra Opac paint which independent tests show leads the field in adherence and wear. The manufacturers instructions stipulate 2 coats but tests have shown that a third coat gives a 10-year life expectancy - so we give all Green Bug greenhouses a minimum of 3 coats.
The paint is micro-porous which allows moisture trapped in the wood to pass up through the paint without causing it to bubble or crack like old gloss paints used to. So the wood is allowed to breathe and move without cracking the protective surface of the paint. This paint doesn't require sanding down - you can just paint a coat of it straight on. The wood I use is premium grade tanalised timber so it has protection without the additional paint cover already.
Accoya wood requires no protection at all but most people have it painted for aesthetic reasons. The paint will likely last longer still on accoya as the wood is dimensionably stable.
On average, every 10 years. We use Profilan Impra Opac paint which independent tests show leads the field in adherence and wear. The manufacturers instructions stipulate 2 coats but tests have shown that a third coat gives a 10-year life expectancy - so we give all Green Bug greenhouses a minimum of 3 coats.
The paint is micro-porous which allows moisture trapped in the wood to pass up through the paint without causing it to bubble or crack like old gloss paints used to. So the wood is allowed to breathe and move without cracking the protective surface of the paint. This paint doesn't require sanding down - you can just paint a coat of it straight on. The wood I use is premium grade tanalised timber so it has protection without the additional paint cover already.
Accoya wood requires no protection at all but most people have it painted for aesthetic reasons. The paint will likely last longer still on accoya as the wood is dimensionably stable.
Does it come with a guarantee?
5 YEARS - All the greenhouses come with a standard 5 year guarantee covering any defects in materials or installation.
50 YEARS - If you choose to have your greenhouse in accoya there is a 50-year manufacturers warranty on the accoya timber.
5 YEARS - All the greenhouses come with a standard 5 year guarantee covering any defects in materials or installation.
50 YEARS - If you choose to have your greenhouse in accoya there is a 50-year manufacturers warranty on the accoya timber.
If I move house can I take it with me?
Theoretically yes - the greenhouse is built up from sections so it would be possible to strip it all down again, clean it up - you'd then want to fill any screw holes, sand down and repaint it all - build another brick base at the new property, transport it there safely and erect it again! It's probably easier to include the greenhouse in the house sale and hope it adds enough to the value to have me come and build another one when you move.
Theoretically yes - the greenhouse is built up from sections so it would be possible to strip it all down again, clean it up - you'd then want to fill any screw holes, sand down and repaint it all - build another brick base at the new property, transport it there safely and erect it again! It's probably easier to include the greenhouse in the house sale and hope it adds enough to the value to have me come and build another one when you move.
Can you build on existing walls? / I can build the dwarf walls myself
Most people like the fact that I do all the work myself but if you have a builder will to do the base walls for you, or if you have walls already you would like a greenhouse to fit on top of, that's not a problem. I have built greenhouses on old walls (even over the walls of an old pigsty), and many times on walls that the customer or their builder have erected. I'm happy to give you the dimensions and quantities of material required for a base or you can given me measurements of the one you already have and I will build a greenhouse to fit that.
Most people like the fact that I do all the work myself but if you have a builder will to do the base walls for you, or if you have walls already you would like a greenhouse to fit on top of, that's not a problem. I have built greenhouses on old walls (even over the walls of an old pigsty), and many times on walls that the customer or their builder have erected. I'm happy to give you the dimensions and quantities of material required for a base or you can given me measurements of the one you already have and I will build a greenhouse to fit that.
Do you do supply only - so that I can erect it all myself?
This is probably my most commonly asked question. I've been asked to supply greenhouses throughout Europe, America, New Zealand and Canada. Unfortunately I do not provide greenhouses supply only. I have spent most of my working life in the building industry and know that even the simplest errors can have big consequences - using the wrong screws in the certain places, not enough screws, rushing things or doing them in the wrong order. My greenhouses have over 200 separate parts. If they only consisted of four walls and a couple of sections for a roof I could write a fitting guide which would be clear to follow. At the moment these greenhouses are just too complicated and I don't want to risk something going wrong. Sorry, it's a no.
This is probably my most commonly asked question. I've been asked to supply greenhouses throughout Europe, America, New Zealand and Canada. Unfortunately I do not provide greenhouses supply only. I have spent most of my working life in the building industry and know that even the simplest errors can have big consequences - using the wrong screws in the certain places, not enough screws, rushing things or doing them in the wrong order. My greenhouses have over 200 separate parts. If they only consisted of four walls and a couple of sections for a roof I could write a fitting guide which would be clear to follow. At the moment these greenhouses are just too complicated and I don't want to risk something going wrong. Sorry, it's a no.
