Professional Installation: Scope, Site Preparation and Handover

Treat professional installation as a defined package of work, not a promise to complete every part of the project. Foundations, permits, utility connections, excavation and optional services require separate confirmation. This guide helps you divide responsibilities, prepare the site and review the scope before proceeding.

Installation scope in brief

The installation team’s role is to assemble the delivered structure according to the confirmed documents and quotation. The service name alone does not define what is included. Foundation work, unloading, electrical connections, sealing, accessory installation and clean-up may be assigned differently for a greenhouse, pergola or outdoor sauna.

Review delivery, site preparation and structural assembly as separate parts of the project. Guidance on receiving an order appears under Purchasing and delivery. For greenhouse projects, ask Bloomcabin whether a dedicated greenhouse installation service is available for your location, and confirm its price, timing and scope before ordering.

Project area	Typical responsibility	Confirm before approval
Product and configuration	Customer and seller	Model, orientation, options and accessories
Base and work site	Usually the customer	Foundation, level, access and workspace
Assembly	Appointed installation team	Included components and work steps
Connections and approvals	Separate qualified trades or the property owner, depending on the project	Local requirements and project interfaces
Handover	Customer and installation team	Inspection, outstanding items and records

How to read a professional installation scope

Professional installation generally means that qualified installers assemble, align and secure the structure specified in the order, using the delivered components and the agreed scope. The selected product, installation documentation, prepared site and written quotation form the basis of the work.

The service does not automatically take over the whole construction project. An installation team needs a suitable, accessible site that is ready on time. If a foundation is unfinished, the surface falls outside agreed tolerances or components cannot be moved safely to the site, proper assembly may not be possible.

Product reviews can support your choice, but they cannot replace a review of the individual project scope. Our greenhouse reviews offer further guidance. The documents confirmed for the specific order always take priority.

Tasks the quotation may cover

Depending on the quotation, installation may include sorting delivered components, building the base frame, fitting structural profiles, placing specified wall and roof elements, and installing product doors, windows or controls. Fixing the structure to a prepared base may also be included where the base, fixing method and responsibilities have been clearly agreed in advance.

• Checking supplied components for obvious assembly-critical discrepancies
• Assembling the main structure listed in the order
• Aligning and connecting the structure in line with installation documentation
• Fitting original accessories expressly included in the scope
• Checking the operation of movable mechanical components
• Joint visual inspection at handover

For greenhouses, the work sequence depends in part on the glazing type, roof design and accessories. Our guide to polycarbonate for greenhouses explains panel materials. For a larger or architecturally detailed structure such as an orangery, plan project interfaces particularly early. See the orangery greenhouse guide for an introduction.

Common exclusions to check

Work beyond product assembly must be agreed expressly. Creating a foundation, in particular, is not automatically included in an installation service. The same applies to demolition, excavation, drainage, paving, wall openings, roof connections to an existing building and alterations to an unsuitable existing surface.

• Planning and building foundations or slabs
• Excavation, grading, tree removal and root removal
• Applying for or reviewing permits and approvals
• Structural assessment of an existing patio, roof or timber deck
• Electrical, water, wastewater, heating and network connections
• Additional cranes, lifting equipment or special transport
• Installation of unapproved third-party products
• Landscaping, interior furnishing, planting beds or sauna accessories outside the order
• Removal of old structures, excavated material or third-party packaging

Plan a pergola foundation separately. The pergola foundation guide covers the key base-planning considerations. In Canada, National Model Codes do not themselves establish the rules in force at every site. Identify the province or territory and municipality, then confirm zoning, permits, setbacks, drainage, structural design and service requirements with the relevant local authorities. Our greenhouse or pergola permit guide offers a starting point, but local requirements must always be confirmed for the individual project.

From product choice to handover

1. Choose the right product and configuration

Dimensions, door positions, roof form, opening elements, attachment side and accessories affect both placement and assembly. Measure the available space at several points before ordering. Allow room for doors, roof overhangs, maintenance access and future use. Explore styles under greenhouses and conservatories.

2. Request and review the installation scope

The quotation should identify the product, site, included accessories and apparent exclusions. Check whether fixings, unloading, packaging removal and travel are addressed. Clarify verbal expectations in writing before approval. Contact customer service or visit our contact page if you have questions.

3. Check local project requirements

Before starting, check setbacks, zoning requirements, utility routes, drainage and possible approvals. Rental properties, condominiums and shared areas may require additional consent. In Canada, identify the province or territory and municipality first, then confirm the applicable requirements with the local authority.

4. Prepare a suitable base and work site

The supporting surface must suit the selected product, meet the required dimensions, be level and be ready for use on time. For fresh concrete, observe the necessary construction and curing conditions. Other excavation, paving or foundation trades should not obstruct the installation team.

5. Coordinate delivery and component storage

Reserve a secure, dry and accessible storage area. Keep long profiles, glass and panels away from traffic routes and sources of damage. Check the shipment using the supplied instructions and report visible concerns promptly. Bloomcabin delivers across Canada, including islands and territories. Delivery is free for most products; review the delivery information and the terms for the selected product before arranging receipt or storage.

6. Complete a final site-readiness check

Shortly before the appointment, recheck access, workspace, base and component availability. Tell the installation team about buried services, delicate surfaces, restricted access and other trades. Keep pets and uninvolved people away from the work area.

7. Assemble the structure

Installers assemble the agreed components in a technically appropriate sequence. Keep the area clear while they work. Last-minute changes to location or configuration may require further checks, extra parts or a revised order and should not be improvised during assembly.

8. Inspect the completed work and hand over

At handover, inspect the assembled areas together. Check doors, windows, louvres and other moving parts within their intended operation. Record visible outstanding items clearly. Keep order documents, assembly information and warranty information.

Is the site ready?

• The final model, accessories and orientation are confirmed.
• The installation location is clearly marked and matches the plan.
• Local requirements and any necessary approvals have been checked.
• The foundation or supporting surface is complete, accessible and suitable.
• Underground and concealed services are known and marked.
• Access, gate widths, stairs, slopes and carrying routes have been disclosed.
• Delivered components are stored safely and close enough to the installation area.
• There is sufficient clear workspace, free from furniture, plants and building materials.
• Other trades working in parallel will not obstruct assembly.
• An authorized contact person can be reached.
• Electrical or water connections will be handled only by appropriately qualified professionals.
• Special conditions have been reported in writing before the appointment.

If any point cannot be completed, do not leave it unresolved until installation day. Early communication allows a technical review and can prevent avoidable call-outs or interruptions.

Match the plan to the structure

Greenhouse: Glazing, roof vents, doors, gutters and interior accessories determine the assembly steps. Consider later use when deciding on placement. Read our guide to greenhouse temperature and humidity for climate and ventilation guidance.

Pergola: A wall-mounted pergola also requires assessment of the existing façade, attachment heights and suitable fixing points. Compare a wall-mounted or freestanding pergola before deciding. Use the pergola size guide to review space requirements. Learn more about bioclimatic and classic pergolas and whether a bioclimatic pergola is worthwhile.

Outdoor sauna: Along with a load-bearing base, plan the carrying route, ventilation, drainage and interfaces with technical equipment. Models such as the Elma S outdoor sauna, the HC150 barrel sauna or the HCF 225 barrel sauna can require different preparation, so follow the documents for the selected model. For heaters, motors and outdoor circuits, ask the destination regulator or a qualified local electrical contractor which product approvals and installation rules apply. For a wood-fired sauna, also check municipal permit, chimney or flue, clearance and current fire-restriction requirements. See more models under saunas.

When the project changes

An installation quotation reflects the conditions known when it is prepared. If the model, location, access route or supporting surface changes, reconfirm the price, material needs and schedule. Additional work should not start until it has been approved in writing.

An unfinished base, missing components, blocked access, undisclosed stairs or tight passages, and overlapping construction work can all cause delays. Work may also need to pause when components cannot be carried or assembled safely. The next step depends on the accepted scope and the actual site conditions.

Key principle: a change affecting the structure, fixings, safety or working time is not a casual adjustment. It requires technical and commercial review.

Care begins at handover

Once the work has been handed over, use the structure only as intended. Keep doors, tracks, drainage routes and moving parts clean, and inspect visible connections, seals and components for unusual changes. Unapproved drilling, additions or alterations can compromise the structure.

For practical care information about aluminium structures, read our aluminium greenhouse care guide . Setting up the growing area begins after structural handover and is not part of standard installation. For an example of later greenhouse use, see growing lettuce in a greenhouse.

Reading an installation quotation

A useful quotation does more than provide a total. It defines the work, the site assumptions and the preparations expected from the customer. Compare the complete scopes rather than looking only at the final price.

1. Product: Does the quotation identify the exact model and accessories?
2. Site: Have the address, access route and assembly location been considered?
3. Preparation: Are the foundation and site-readiness requirements clearly stated?
4. Interfaces: Does the scope assign responsibility for fixings, connections and sealing?
5. Exclusions: Can you identify the work that is not included?
6. Handover: Is a joint inspection planned, and is a contact person identified?

Learn more about Bloomcabin under About us. Browse further technical and organizational guidance in useful information . For another view of the process, read about arranging professional greenhouse installation.

Before you authorize the work

• Which product and accessories will be assembled?
• Who will unload the components and carry them to the work area?
• What dimensions, level and construction are required for the foundation?
• Which fixing materials and fixing tasks are included?
• Who will determine whether an existing supporting surface is suitable?
• Are connections or sealing work expressly listed in the order?
• Which preparations must be complete at each project stage?
• How will missing, damaged or incorrectly supplied components be handled?
• Which tasks will be treated as additional services?
• Who must attend or be reachable for handover?
• How will incomplete or disputed items be recorded and reported?

Installation questions for Canadian projects

Is foundation construction part of professional installation?

Not unless the quotation expressly includes it. Constructing a foundation is separate building work, and its dimensions, design and suitability must match the selected product and the conditions at the property.

Will the installation service obtain permits?

Public permits and private permissions are normally the property owner’s responsibility unless the written scope assigns a specific task elsewhere. Canada has no single approval route for every property: identify the province or territory and municipality, then confirm the rules that apply to the site and proposed structure.

Can the structure be installed on an existing patio or timber deck?

Perhaps, but only after its suitability has been assessed. Load capacity, construction, level, drainage and fixing options must be appropriate for the product. An assembly crew does not replace a structural assessment of an existing patio or deck.

Are electrical and water connections included?

Not automatically. Connections are separate project interfaces and must be expressly included if the installation team is expected to handle them. Plan any required work with suitable local professionals and follow the rules applicable at the destination.

Will the team fit accessories purchased from another supplier?

Only when the items have been reviewed and accepted in writing beforehand. Third-party accessories may use different fixings or be incompatible with the structure, so do not leave the decision until installation day.

Can I move the greenhouse on installation day?

Even a short move can affect the foundation, orientation, access, setbacks and service routes. Submit the change before work starts. If the new position is not ready or approved, the installation may need to be postponed or quoted again.

How long does professional installation take?

Duration depends on the product type, configuration, accessories, access, site condition and agreed work. A dependable estimate can be prepared only after those details are known; a general time allowance is not sufficient for scheduling a specific project.

What happens if the site is not ready?

The team must determine whether the work can proceed safely and correctly. Significant differences from the agreed conditions may lead to a pause, partial completion or rescheduling. The consequences depend on the accepted order and the situation on site.

Must I remain on site throughout the installation?

Not necessarily, but an authorized person should be reachable and able to participate in handover. Access, the exact position and any special requests must be settled before the appointment.

Does installation include the greenhouse layout and planting?

No, unless those tasks are expressly agreed as additional services. Beds, tables, irrigation, growing media and plants belong to the later gardening stage rather than standard structural assembly.

Does the service include complete site clean-up?

Routine work-area tidiness is different from full cleaning and waste disposal. The quotation should say whether product packaging will be removed. Excavated material, old components and waste from other contractors are not normally included.

Who should I contact about a concern discovered after handover?

Photograph the affected area and prepare a clear description, along with the order and installation details. Then contact the appropriate person through Bloomcabin contact options . Until the issue has been reviewed, avoid changes that could make assessment more difficult.

One rule for a clear installation scope

A smooth installation starts when the selected product, prepared site and assigned responsibilities agree. Do not rely on a broad service label; use the written quotation, confirmed configuration and site requirements to understand the work.

If a task appears necessary but is not expressly included, ask about it before approval. Resolving that question early reduces misunderstandings and gives both the customer and installation team a clear route from preparation to handover.