Greenhouse base laying in Exeter
Professional greenhouse base laying services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£260-£410+
Typical Duration
Full day+
Location
Exeter, Devon
Greenhouse base laid level and solid. Properly prepared ground, paving slabs or timber frame, ready for your greenhouse to sit square and stable.
Your Greenhouse Needs a Proper Foundation
You've bought a greenhouse. It's arriving next week. The instructions say "must be installed on a level base" and you're looking at a sloping, lumpy bit of lawn.
A greenhouse on an uneven base won't go together properly. Doors stick, glass cracks, the whole frame twists. You need it dead level, properly supported, and built to last.
We lay greenhouse bases - paving slabs, timber frames, or concrete - that are level, stable, and ready for your greenhouse to sit perfectly.
| ✅ Proper Base | ❌ Wonky Ground |
|---|---|
| Perfectly level | Greenhouse won't assemble |
| Stable foundation | Frame twists and binds |
| Good drainage | Puddles and rot |
| Looks professional | Bodge job appearance |
| Lasts for years | Settles and shifts |
Base types we install: Paving slab bases, timber frame bases, gravel bases, concrete slab bases.
Investment Required
Varies hugely depending on size and base type:
| Greenhouse Size | Typical Time | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (6x4 or 6x6) | 5-6 hrs | £260-£310 |
| Medium (8x6 or 8x8) | 6-7 hrs | £310-£360 |
| Large (10x8 or bigger) | Full day+ | £410+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials (slabs, hardcore, timber, fixings) extra, typically £100-300 depending on size and type.
💡 Pro tip: Order your greenhouse first, check the exact base dimensions needed, then book us. Greenhouse manufacturers specify base sizes - we need those measurements to get it right.
Base Options
🏗️ Paving Slab Base (Most Popular)
- Ground leveled and compacted
- Hardcore or sand base laid
- Paving slabs laid level
- Perfect for most greenhouses
- Good drainage, solid, affordable
🪵 Timber Frame Base
- Pressure-treated timber frame
- Set level on compacted ground
- Filled with gravel or left hollow
- Lighter, easier for assembly
- Good for smaller greenhouses
🪨 Gravel Base
- Ground leveled
- Weed membrane laid
- Gravel filled and compacted
- Simple, cheap, drains well
- Best for lightweight greenhouses
🧱 Concrete Slab
- Full concrete pour
- Reinforced if needed
- Permanent, ultra-stable
- Best for large/heavy greenhouses
- More expensive but lasts forever
Why Choose Us for Greenhouse base laying in Exeter?
Perfectly level base
Long-lasting foundation
Greenhouse sits properly
Expert groundwork
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Assessment & Quote
We measure the greenhouse footprint, check ground levels and access, discuss your greenhouse type and weight, advise on best base option, and provide a detailed quote including materials.
Step 2: Base Construction
We mark out the area accurately, excavate if needed (usually 4-6 inches deep), lay and compact hardcore or sand, install timber frame OR lay slabs level, and check levels obsessively throughout.
Step 3: Ready for Greenhouse
We do final level checks, clear the site of spoil and rubbish, show you the finished base, confirm it's ready for greenhouse assembly, and provide any care instructions (e.g., concrete curing time).
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're laying the base yourself:
Tools Needed:
- Spade and rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Spirit level (long one, 4ft+)
- Rubber mallet
- String line and pegs
- Compactor or heavy tamper
- Tape measure
Paving Slab Base Method:
- Mark out area (greenhouse size + 4" each side)
- Excavate 4-6 inches deep
- Fill with hardcore and compact thoroughly
- Add 2" sand layer
- Lay slabs on sand, level each one
- Check levels front-to-back and side-to-side
- Tap slabs down with mallet until perfect
Common Mistakes:
- ❌ Not compacting hardcore properly (settles later)
- ❌ Eyeballing levels instead of using a spirit level
- ❌ Making base same size as greenhouse (no overhang)
- ❌ Forgetting drainage slope (water pools)
- ❌ Using old, damaged slabs that crack under weight
Pro Tricks:
- A 4ft spirit level is essential - small ones lie
- Check diagonal measurements (proves it's square)
- Slight slope away from greenhouse door helps drainage
- Lay slabs in dry weather - easier to work
- Bed slabs on sand, not directly on hardcore (easier to level)
Timber Frame Method:
- Level the ground roughly
- Cut timber to size (use 4x2 treated timber minimum)
- Assemble frame with corner brackets
- Position frame and check level
- Pack underneath with hardcore/bricks until dead level
- Secure with ground anchors
- Fill with gravel or leave hollow for drainage
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Ground Conditions: Devon soil varies - clay in some areas, stones in others. We adapt our approach. Clay areas need better drainage, stony areas need more excavation.
Existing Lawns: We remove turf and topsoil before building the base. If you want the turf saved for elsewhere in the garden, let us know.
Planning Permission: Small domestic greenhouses don't usually need permission, nor do their bases. But if you're near boundaries or in a conservation area, worth checking.
Combo Service: We do base laying AND greenhouse assembly as a complete job. Book both and we give you a better rate for the full installation.
Timing: Spring is busiest for greenhouse bases (everyone's planting season). Book early to avoid waiting. Autumn is quieter and a good time for base work.
Allotments: We lay greenhouse bases at allotment sites too. Access can be tricky, but we manage. Just mention it's an allotment when booking.
Long-Term: A properly laid base will last 20+ years. The greenhouse might need replacing eventually, but the base will still be there, level and solid.
Exeter Gardens: Lots of local gardens slope or have uneven ground. We're experienced at creating level bases on sloping Devon gardens - cutting and filling to get that perfect level surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of base is best for a greenhouse?
Depends on greenhouse size and budget. Paving slabs on compacted hardcore are popular - level, stable, affordable. Timber frame bases work well for lighter greenhouses. Concrete is best for large/permanent structures. We advise based on your specific greenhouse.
Does the base need to be bigger than the greenhouse?
Ideally yes, by about 100mm (4 inches) on each side. Gives you working room during assembly, better water drainage, and looks neater. We measure and plan it properly.
How level does a greenhouse base need to be?
Very level. If it's off, the greenhouse frame won't sit right, doors won't close, and glass can crack. We use a spirit level and get it spot-on - makes all the difference to the final build.
Can you build the base and then assemble the greenhouse?
Absolutely. We often do both jobs together. Build the base one day, let it settle if needed, then assemble the greenhouse on top. Whole job done properly from ground up.
How long before I can build on the base?
Paving slab bases are ready immediately. Timber bases are ready same day. Concrete needs 3-7 days to cure properly before you build on it. We advise based on your timeline.
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