Should I get this free greenhouse?

[Caldan]

Right, I convinced - asked if we can go visit at weekend for a proper inspection,

Errrr, is there anything I should be looking for I.e. guess should check is not covered in rust. Bolts are there?

[RedThorn]

The Frame should be ali so no rust there, the bolts can be rusted hence the wd40

[rustylady]

£40 for van hire Van Hire - Cheap Van Rental in London, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent plus diesel comes to a lot less than £100, as against £250 for a new greenhouse which you would still have to build yourself.

Bite her hand off.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Right, I convinced - asked if we can go visit at weekend for a proper inspection,

Errrr, is there anything I should be looking for I.e. guess should check is not covered in rust. Bolts are there?

Take the WD40 with you this weekend when you're having a look and squirt everything in sight it has time to work it's magic before you come to take it down.

Also, take your spanners with you so that you can check that you have the right size, rather than rocking up and finding your first job is nipped to the local B&Q!

[Two_Sheds]

aren't greenhouses expensive??

Good ones are, yes.

I am a very very lucky girl, I got a Baby Rhino

[bearded bloke]

Spanners you need for that will be 10mm & 11mm (open ended)two of each,most of the bolts should be alloy & if badly siezed just tighten them a bit more & the bolt will snap fairly easily,spare bolts are available from B&Q

Also take a pair of snipe nosed (pointed) pliers for the glass retaining clips,again spares are available as are "Z" clips if you loose any.

Check to see if it is fixed to the brick plinth & what will be needed to undo the fixings

[Bigmallly]

Looks in good nick from the photo, if you do decide to get it, you should be able to get it in a transit in 6 pieces after taking the glass out of course. 2 sides, 2 roofs, 1 back & 1 front. The door will most likely fall off. I don't know the height inside a tranny, I don't think they are 6' high so you may need a Luton. The other option already mentioned is to strip it right down & get some roof racks if the lengths won't fit in your car which in my opinion, I think they should..

[Caldan]

Thanks for all that - I will get myself together a little tool kit together before we go, good tips on the wd40 and spanners, think I should have those,

I will measure it up but if can hire a van and do in six pieces seems worth doing as getting for nowt anyway so thanks for the site rustlady - I honestly thought van hire would be much more expensive,

Veggiechicken - gonna change my chook cage design so greenhouse pretty much in it - will let me do as you say in future if want to and should actually allow me to save a bit more space. I know (oops, you) said they can kick up dirt but I think that will be manageable as only have three (although considering fourth). If means I need to wipe greenhouse down each day when get eggs I can live with that. Also, means be easier keen the family out of greenhouse

And Twosheds - lovely greenhouse but most definitely out of the price range my other half would ever agree to at least until I actually grow something and stop talking to her about what I'm going to do!

Thanks everyone for all your advice, in last 24 hours it has all saved me wasting a load of cash. Now I can work out what I can spend it on instead!

[bearded bloke]

If you do hire a vehicle & there is enough room to maneuver the greenhouse whole (unglazed) then consider a flat bed as the framework is light,two people could carry it easily & has only minimal wind resistance so could be strapped down saving the time & effort of stripping it down & reassembling

If your car has a towball you could probably hire a trailer for the day & save even more money for seeds

[Caldan]

If you do hire a vehicle & there is enough room to maneuver the greenhouse whole (unglazed) then consider a flat bed as the framework is light,two people could carry it easily & has only minimal wind resistance so could be strapped down saving the time & effort of stripping it down & reassembling

If your car has a towball you could probably hire a trailer for the day & save even more money for seeds

Oh, that's a good idea! Mmmmm, be so good if could take in a oner and shouldn't cost any extra to hire!! That needs to be looked into.

[Two_Sheds]

enough room to maneuver the greenhouse whole (unglazed)

Good point ... the bloke who put mine up for me built half of it at home, then drove it to me. He got the whole thing up and glazed in a morning, unbelievable

[bearded bloke]

I that is possible the easiest way to hold it down is after siting on the lorry/trailer pass a fence post (or similar) through at each end & then strap that to the bed,I have moved a friends 8&6 that way

[Caldan]

I that is possible the easiest way to hold it down is after siting on the lorry/trailer pass a fence post (or similar) through at each end & then strap that to the bed,I have moved a friends 8&6 that way

I am an idiot, need to put it in to pieces to get it in back garden as only access is via the side which is pretty narrow lol. However would still try to transport that way as be easier to fiddle with it at home. I just about to buy some fence posts so seems like it was meant to be!

[rustylady]

Best you sow some tomatoes this weekend Caldan

[RedThorn]

I got the 12ft sections in a sedan..... just poking out of the sunroof

Looks in good nick from the photo, if you do decide to get it, you should be able to get it in a transit in 6 pieces after taking the glass out of course. 2 sides, 2 roofs, 1 back & 1 front. The door will most likely fall off. I don't know the height inside a tranny, I don't think they are 6' high so you may need a Luton. The other option already mentioned is to strip it right down & get some roof racks if the lengths won't fit in your car which in my opinion, I think they should..