Professional Polytunnel Installers in Norwich
Polytunnel supply and construction service for home gardeners, market gardens, and commercial growers. Durable, cost effective growing solutions installed by local specialists.
Searching for reliable polytunnel builders in Norwich? At Costessey Garden Care, we specialise in the professional supply and installation of high quality polytunnels. Whether you are looking to extend your growing season, protect delicate plants, or scale up to a full scale market gardening operation, a professionally installed polytunnel is the ultimate investment for your outdoor space.
Unlike a traditional greenhouse, polytunnels offer a high performance, cost effective alternative with no glass to break. From small garden setups to larger commercial growing structures, we ensure your build is sturdy, level, and built to withstand the Norfolk weather.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your polytunnel installation in Norwich. Our experienced local polytunnel installers will help you create the perfect growing environment with professional assembly and installation.
A successful build starts from the ground up. Manufacturers require a reasonably level surface to ensure structural integrity and a tight cover fit. As part of our comprehensive service, we handle:
Every grower is different. We don't just "put it up", we help you customise your structure for maximum productivity. Depending on your chosen model, we can supply and install:
Many of our clients in Norwich are choosing polytunnels over traditional greenhouses for several key reasons:
When considering a polytunnel for a city garden or allotment, there are several environmental factors that could be taken into account to ensure the best harvest:
A polytunnel requires a specific environment to perform at its best, and it could be worth reviewing these site-specific factors:
Yes, it could be a very practical solution for homes in NR2 with narrow side-gates. Unlike a pre-assembled greenhouse, a polytunnel is delivered as a kit of parts, meaning it could be moved through restricted entries and assembled directly on-site with minimal disruption.
It could be a significant benefit in the long run. A base rail system could make the initial "skinning" of the tunnel much tighter and, more importantly, it could make replacing the cover every 7 to 10 years a much simpler process compared to traditional trenching.
Many local growing sites, such as those near Thorpe Hamlet, are on inclines. In these cases, it could be a good idea to adjust the foundation tube heights or perform minor ground leveling to ensure the frame remains square, which is essential for a drum-tight cover.
We can either quote from photos and information of the soil make up (so we know how tough the dig will be), or come out and do a laser level survey if the ground is undulating.
We then arrange for supply of the kit and any extras (Postcrete etc). The structure is delivered to us so we can fabricate the doors, frames, battens and do as much prep work off site in our workshop. We bring the kit to site with us for the installation.
It depends on the kit and the soil conditions. The workshop time for a 'normal' sized kit takes about a day, and installation for a smaller polytunnel can often be done in a long day.
The site conditions are the biggest variable though. On one install we dug 30 holes in a quarter of the time it took us to dig 10 on a different install. If the subsoil is full of rubble or clay it takes a lot longer and we will need to bring breakers and possibly bulky generators with us, so accurate information is crucial if we are not required to undertake a site visit.
In most cases, domestic polytunnels do not require planning permission as they are considered temporary structures. However, you may need to consult your local planning office if it is over 3m high or in a conservation area.
Yes, a slope end to end is not necessarily an issue. But the method depends on the incline across the width of the tunnel. If it is more than 15cm we may need to order longer foundation tubes to ensure the structure remains stable and is not under extra stress.
Absolutely. While most tunnels are built on foundation tubes and anchor plates, we can install them on concrete or paved areas using specialised base plates and anchor bolts.
We use professional grade, UV stabilised polythene. The frame of a polytunnel can last for decades. However, the professional grade, UV stabilised polythene cover typically needs replacing every 7 to 10 years.
Tip: We highly recommend a base rail option. This is a major long term benefit, as it allows for simpler cover replacement, making the job faster and easier when the time comes. We do not install trenched roofs, as the same level of tension can not be achieved this way. Also the labour required to dig 80ft of trenching and then backfill is significant versus the cost of the anchor plates and base rails.
Yes of course, but it depends on the original kit that was installed: If the original kit did not have a base rail, it probably did not have anchor plates on the foundation tubes (these hold the structure down). It is worth digging down to see if you can find an anchor plate on a hoop. If they were not installed, then taking an old frame from an unknown supplier apart to add and build back up may not be feasible. We would hopefully be able to leave the door frames and timber base rail intact, and just need a new cover and some fresh battens to fix it in.
We do not offer recovering service where trenching is required, as we already do enough digging.
A domestic polytunnel is up to 14ft (4.27m) wide, and available lengths increase by 5ft hoop spacings.
A commercial polytunnel starts at 16ft (4.88m) wide, up to 30ft (9.14m) wide, and the largest are around 15ft (4.6m) high. The longest one we have worked on was 72ft long, but you just keep adding more hoops at 6ft spacings.
With a larger structure the size of the tubing increases and the doors are bigger.
Your local garden structure installation specialists serving throughout Norfolk and surrounding areas
We cover Norfolk, including Norwich and Costessey, plus Wymondham, Dereham, Hethersett, Cringleford, Taverham, Drayton, Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew, Horsford, Holt, Eaton and Wroxham.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your polytunnel installation in Norwich. Our experienced local polytunnel installers will help you create the perfect growing environment with professional assembly and installation.