Building a hydroponic greenhouse is more than just assembling steel and plastic—it’s about creating a living system that supports consistent, high-quality food production year-round. Whether you’re a grower expanding your operation or an entrepreneur entering controlled-environment agriculture for the first time, understanding what goes into the construction process is essential.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Hydroponic Greenhouse?
The answer depends on your location, project size, climate, and local regulations. But in general, a commercial-scale hydroponic greenhouse can go from concept to crop in about 8 to 18 months.
Here’s a rough idea of what the timeline usually looks like:
1. Planning & Permitting (2–6 months)
This early phase is where everything begins. You’ll need to choose the right site, gather permits, and get a clear understanding of your utility access and infrastructure needs. Some regions are quicker than others when it comes to zoning and permitting—so start this process early.
2. Design & Engineering (1–3 months)
Once your site is selected and permitted, the focus shifts to design. This includes the structure itself, as well as critical components like heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. If you’re using a hydroponic system like FRT, now’s the time to determine how the tanks, rafts, and water treatment systems will fit into your footprint.
3. Construction & System Installation (4–8 months)
This phase includes everything from pouring the foundation and erecting the greenhouse frame to installing electrical and plumbing systems. Your hydroponic equipment—like tanks, pumps, filtration units, and controls—gets installed during this phase too.
4. Startup, Testing & Grower Training (1–2 months)
Once everything is built, tested, and calibrated, it’s time to run trial cycles, monitor nutrient delivery, and train your team. This phase ensures the system is running efficiently and your staff is ready to manage day-to-day operations.
What Will It Cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but here’s a general breakdown of where your investment will go. Keep in mind that these are ballpark figures—real numbers depend on your region, size, technology, and crop selection.
Keep in mind: A well-built system pays off in the long run. Energy efficiency, water reuse, and crop consistency all contribute to strong returns on investment.
Tips to Make the Process Smoother
After decades in the industry, we’ve seen which choices lead to sustainable, successful operations—and which ones result in costly missteps. Here are some key takeaways:
Plan for the long term
Even if you’re starting with one greenhouse, think about future expansion. Design your utility layout, workflow, and system access with scalability in mind.
Prioritize water quality
Hydroponics relies on clean, consistent water. Invest early in good filtration, pH control, and nutrient delivery systems. Your plants—and your bottom line—will thank you.
Design for your environment
From snow loads to sun exposure, your local climate should shape your structure. Don’t assume a generic greenhouse design will hold up under your specific weather conditions.
Train your people
Even the best-designed system needs skilled hands to run it. Make sure your team understands the mechanics, monitoring systems, and crop requirements before going live.
Partner with the right experts
Construction is complex enough without trying to figure it out alone. Hydronov has helped clients around the world design and build hydroponic greenhouses tailored to their climate, business model, and growth goals.
Why Work with Hydronov?
We’ve been building hydroponic systems for over 35 years, and our Floating Raft Technology (FRT) is used in successful greenhouses across the country. What sets us apart isn’t just our equipment—it’s our end-to-end support.
From early feasibility studies to system commissioning and grower training, our team is with you at every step. We know what works, and we’ll help you avoid what doesn’t.
Thinking About Building?
Whether you’re still exploring the idea or you’re ready to break ground, investing in a hydroponic greenhouse is a big step. The right partner can make all the difference—turning a complex construction project into a smooth, cost-effective process.
Contact Hydronov to talk with our team and take the first step toward building a smarter, more productive hydroponic operation.
