Buying an Accoya Greenhouse: What to Ask Before Paying More
Greenhouse buying guide
An Accoya greenhouse can carry a higher quote, but the timber name alone does not explain what changes. Before paying more, find out which components are specified as Accoya, how the rest of the greenhouse is described and what the quoted price includes. Construction, glazing, base, warranty, care and delivery all affect the comparison. The questions below help you judge the upgrade from written details rather than from a material label or headline price.
Compare the full greenhouse specification
The price difference is meaningful only after you know what changes. Ask for a quote tied to the exact greenhouse model and configuration, with timber, glazing, base, door, vents, finish, shelves or other accessories, assembly and delivery itemised or clearly marked as excluded. If Accoya is offered as an upgrade to another version, request both specifications. A higher headline price may reflect a different footprint, extra equipment or assembly as well as the timber; none of those is the cost of the timber upgrade alone. Your comparison should show which items differ and how much each adds. Ask for the quote date and version number as well, particularly where options have been discussed by email. This makes it easier to ensure that a later revised quote has not added, removed or substituted an item without being noticed.
If you include a separate listing such as Aluminium Classic greenhouse in your comparison, get its full specification and an itemised total too. Its catalogue name identifies the listing; it does not establish that its materials, dimensions, glazing, base or supplied work match the Accoya quote. Ask the seller to price any missing items so both options cover the same scope. That makes it easier to see whether the difference comes from the specified timber, a larger or differently configured greenhouse, added equipment, or work that appears in only one quote.
Find out which components use Accoya
Ask for a component-by-component schedule rather than relying on a broad description such as Accoya greenhouse. The frame, door surround, base rails, bracing, trim, shelves and other timber details may not all be specified in the same way. Ask the seller to identify which parts are Accoya, which use another material and which are not included. The point is not to insist that every component must be Accoya; it is to understand exactly what the quoted upgrade covers. A written list also gives you a fair basis for comparing two versions that may use different materials in different parts. Where a part is described generally, ask for its location or reference on a drawing. That detail can prevent ambiguity where a term such as frame is used for several distinct pieces of the greenhouse.
Treat the base as a separate question in that schedule. A title such as Bloomcabin Prestige greenhouse with metal base is not a timber specification or a complete inclusions list. Ask whether a base is included in the configuration you are pricing, what material it is described as, and which other parts meet or connect to the timber. Keep the answer tied to the exact model and options in your quote. This avoids confusing a detail in a product name with confirmation of the Accoya components or the full package being offered.
Get the timber specification in writing
Ask the seller to state precisely what they mean by Accoya in the specification: the product or grade designation they are quoting, which parts it applies to and what documentation accompanies the order. Have any technical description written exactly as the supplier gives it rather than relying on a phone conversation or a general brochure line. If a specification sheet is available, ask for it to identify the greenhouse model and configuration. Check that the quote and order summary use the same description, so there is no uncertainty about which timber specification you agreed to buy.
Keep the timber details specific to each model you compare. If a second quote is tied to a listing such as Bloomcabin Orangerie, ask for a component schedule for that exact configuration rather than using its product name as evidence of timber composition. Resolve any difference between the product page, quote and order summary before paying. Keep the written clarification with your purchase documents: it will be easier to refer back to what was promised if you need to discuss a supplied part or an order detail later.
Ask how the frame is assembled
Timber choice is only one part of a frame specification. Ask how the main frame members meet, how the door and openings are formed, what connectors or fasteners are listed, and whether exposed ends or cut surfaces receive a stated finish. Find out which parts arrive prepared and which details are completed during assembly. These are questions about the supplier's design and the work included in your order, not a request for you to calculate structural performance. If a connection or support detail is unclear, ask the supplier or installer to explain it in writing before the order is confirmed. Ask whether the illustrated configuration is the one covered by the quote, since drawings can show optional elements. Written confirmation is particularly useful when an assembly service is being priced separately from the greenhouse itself.
Use a drawing or illustrated parts list alongside the written description. Apply the same request to every model you compare, including a listing such as Classic Plus 385 if it enters your shortlist; the name identifies the listing, not its joints or finish. Ask whether fittings are included, whether replacement parts can be ordered and who to contact if a supplied part does not match the parts list. Clear assembly information can also help you compare the labour allowance in quotes without assuming that two greenhouses are assembled in the same way.
Compare glazing and included equipment
An Accoya description does not tell you what glazing is supplied. Ask for the exact glazing specification for the version being quoted, including what material is used, whether all panels are included and whether any panels or fittings are optional. Check how the door, vents and other openings are described, and ask for their positions on a model drawing if those details affect how you plan to work inside. Do not compare two prices on the assumption that their glazing or openings are the same; have the seller list any difference clearly.
Make a separate list of equipment and extras that matter for your growing plans. Shelving, staging, gutters, additional vents or other accessories may be part of one quote and absent from another, so ask which items are supplied and which need a separate order. Ask whether an accessory is included as standard, optional for the chosen configuration, or available only separately; this distinction prevents a quotation from being compared with a product image rather than its actual contents. If you expect to add equipment later, find out whether the supplier provides compatible options for the model and whether those costs are included now. This keeps the decision focused on the greenhouse you will actually receive rather than a photograph or general description that may not show every included item.
Check the layout against your garden
Compare dimensions and layout before deciding that two quoted greenhouses are alternatives. Request the external footprint, internal clearances, door position and any supplied plan; then consider the space needed to reach the entrance and move around the greenhouse. Think about the route from the garden gate to the proposed position as well as the growing space inside. If you want shelving or a central working area, ask for the dimensions that let you judge how much room remains. Use the supplier's drawings rather than trying to infer size or usable space from a model name or image. Mark the proposed position at full size where practical, including the approach to the door. This can reveal access conflicts with paths, boundaries, existing planting or everyday garden use before the order is committed.
A listing titled wall-based T-model greenhouse orangery is a separate model to investigate, not a site plan or confirmation that it will fit your garden. Ask for the drawing and dimensions of the configuration you are considering. If the model's position relative to a wall is important, confirm what the supplier or installer requires for that arrangement and whether the site has to meet any stated conditions. For questions about the wall, ground or installation, get advice from the supplier or a qualified installer rather than assuming the title answers them.
Separate the base from site preparation
A greenhouse base and the preparation of the ground are different parts of an order. Ask whether a base is supplied, what surface or foundation the supplier specifies, and who is responsible for preparing, levelling and anchoring the site. Check whether the quote includes installation of the base or only the greenhouse, and whether removal of an existing structure or other site work is excluded. If a contractor is involved, ask for the required interface details early enough to coordinate the work. Do not choose a foundation from a product name alone; the requirements depend on the exact greenhouse and site.
A listing titled pyramid greenhouse for masonry bases is not an assessment of your ground or confirmation of what a particular order includes. Ask the seller for the base interface information and any written site requirements for the model you are pricing. If you are unsure whether a proposed surface or foundation is suitable, have the site assessed by a qualified professional. Getting these details before ordering helps you identify work that could otherwise sit outside the greenhouse quote, without relying on assumptions about what the base wording means.
Read warranty terms by component
Ask for the warranty terms in writing and check what each part covers. Timber, glazing, fittings, finish and assembly may be described separately, so find out whether the terms apply to the whole greenhouse or only named components. Ask when coverage begins, how a claim is made, what evidence is needed and whether the supplier lists conditions relating to maintenance, alterations, exposure or installation. Do not assume that a general warranty statement answers every question about the Accoya specification. If a condition is unclear, ask the seller to explain it before you pay and keep the reply with your order details. Read any exclusions alongside the headline cover, rather than treating them as a minor detail. They may clarify which parts or circumstances are outside the stated terms and whether responsibility changes after installation.
If another option such as an aluminium lean-to greenhouse is part of your shortlist, request the warranty terms for that exact listing too. Compare the component coverage and conditions side by side; do not assume that terms given for one model or material describe another. It is also worth asking who handles a claim and whether the seller, manufacturer or installer is the contact for each part. A clear answer gives you a better view of the commitment attached to the purchase than a short warranty headline on its own.
Plan for care and replacement parts
Request care instructions for the timber and any finish supplied with the greenhouse. Ask what routine checks or maintenance the supplier recommends, which products are suitable for the specified finish and whether the instructions affect warranty coverage. If parts are exposed to weather or are likely to need attention over time, have the seller explain how to inspect and care for them. Avoid assuming that the word Accoya means the greenhouse needs no maintenance; the relevant guidance is the one that applies to the actual components and finish in your order.
For any other model you are considering, such as the listing limited-edition aluminium greenhouse, ask for its own care guidance and information about replacement parts. Find out whether individual panels, timber members, fittings or other components can be ordered separately, and who can help identify the correct part if something needs repair. A product name does not confirm future parts supply or service arrangements. Knowing what guidance and support the seller provides is useful when you compare options, especially if you expect the greenhouse to remain in use for many seasons.
Calculate the complete order cost
Ask for the total cost to be set out with delivery, unloading, assembly, base work and any other site preparation shown separately. Confirm who handles each task, what access the delivery or installation team needs and whether any applicable taxes are included in the quoted amount. Ask whether the total changes if delivery, assembly or site preparation is arranged separately, and make sure any optional work is labelled as such rather than folded into an unexplained figure. If you are arranging work with another contractor, ask what information they need from the greenhouse supplier and whether their costs are included. Also check the quote's validity period, deposit, payment schedule and the supplier's terms for changes to the configuration. These details can affect the amount you need to commit, even when the greenhouse price is clear.
Once the scope is settled, compare the additional amount for the Accoya specification with the written differences it buys. Set the two quotations out line by line and identify any item that is included in one but excluded, optional or unspecified in the other. Consider whether the stated components, construction information, warranty and care guidance matter enough for your plans; do not turn a material label into an assumed lifespan or saving. If the quote leaves important questions unanswered, ask for clarification before payment rather than filling the gaps yourself. A premium is easier to judge when you can point to the parts and terms it covers, and when the alternative has been priced on the same basis. Save the final accepted quote, specification and correspondence together, so the agreed scope remains clear after the order is placed.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Accoya greenhouse worth the extra cost?
That depends on the exact specification and package, not the timber name alone. Compare the written list of Accoya components, construction details, warranty, care guidance and complete order cost with a clearly defined alternative before deciding.
How can I confirm which parts use Accoya?
Ask for a component schedule tied to the model and configuration you are ordering. It should identify which timber parts are specified as Accoya, which use another material and which are not included. Keep the written answer with your quote.
Does the Accoya description mean every timber part is included?
Do not assume that it does. Ask whether the description applies to the whole greenhouse, the main frame or selected components, and request a list of the parts covered. Check separately whether the base, doors, trim and accessories are included.
Should I expect an Accoya greenhouse to need no maintenance?
Do not rely on a material name or general sales claim as a care plan. Ask the supplier for written instructions for the supplied timber and finish, including any maintenance conditions linked to the warranty.
What should I compare besides the timber?
Compare the footprint and layout, glazing, base, included equipment, construction details, warranty, care instructions, delivery, assembly and site work. The total price is useful only when you know which of these items each quote includes.
An Accoya greenhouse is easier to assess when the timber specification is attached to a clear list of components and a complete quote. Compare that package with another option only after checking the layout, glazing, base, construction, warranty and order costs on both sides. If the supplier can explain what the premium covers and provide the terms in writing, you can decide whether that documented difference is worth paying for in your garden.
