Frequently Asked Questions

For the 200 sq ft residential kit, the International Residential Code (IRC) generally does not require a building permit for accessory structures under 200 sq ft. For commercial high-tunnel structures on agricultural land, most western states exempt agricultural structures from full IBC/IRC structural requirements.

Confirm with your local jurisdiction before purchasing. Local municipalities, counties, and HOAs may have different rules than the state model codes, and exemptions vary. This is general guidance, not legal or regulatory advice for your specific location.

Yes. Polycarbonate is explicitly eligible under the NRCS EQIP high-tunnel program. The grant is tied to the structure type (high-tunnel), not the glazing material. Typical awards are around $8,000 for a 1,000 sq ft structure; most applicants are approved.

Some NRCS field offices mistakenly believe only poly-film structures qualify — this is incorrect and the NRCS EQIP practice standard (Practice Code 325) clearly covers polycarbonate glazing. For all application and eligibility questions, find your local NRCS/USDA Service Center — they administer the program. See the Grants page for the full process and eligibility details.

The structure is identical — same 6mm 4-layer polycarbonate, same 14-gauge galvanized steel frame, same specs. The difference is labor.

The DIY kit includes all materials, hardware, and assembly instructions — everything needed to build the greenhouse yourself. The residential kit includes an optional upgrade for pre-assembled end walls, trusses, and pre-cut steel (+$1,500) that reduces build complexity. Fully assembled means Russ's crew delivers and builds it at your property. For the residential 200 sq ft kit, that's $11,400 with free delivery within 20 miles of Arco.

Commercial kits offer a similar split: DIY from $10,500, or piecemeal/full labor priced transparently by task. See the Construction Support page for itemized labor pricing.

The polycarbonate carries a 10-year warranty against cracking and yellowing. The galvanized steel frame carries a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Both are built to last well beyond the warranty period under normal use.

For comparison: half of poly-film high-tunnel structures don't make it past five years in windy areas. The glazing material is the single biggest variable in greenhouse lifespan. Polycarbonate doesn't tear, doesn't degrade from UV the same way poly-film does, and doesn't need to be replaced seasonally or annually.

Yes. Construction support is available from partial assistance (setting posts and hoops to get you started square) all the way to full installation. Pricing is transparent and itemized by task — you pick the scope, pay for exactly what you need.

The most common arrangement is frame help (posts, hoops, purlins) plus DIY polycarbonate installation. It gets the structure set square professionally, then you finish at your own pace. See the Construction Support page for the full pricing table.

Before you commit to a $10,500 greenhouse, the visualization service shows you approximately what it will look like at your property. You submit photos of your site, measurements, and Google Earth coordinates. CatchSunlight produces a 3D rendering or video of the greenhouse placed at your location.

It costs $300 and is the lowest-risk way to confirm the greenhouse fits your site the way you're imagining before you order. See the Construction Support page for details.

CatchSunlight greenhouses are designed for heavier snow loads — the kind of winters most of the Mountain West deals with. The arch design sheds snow rather than letting it accumulate, which is the primary structural load in cold climates. The 14-gauge galvanized steel frame is sized to handle sustained load without flexing or buckling.

Polycarbonate is also more impact-resistant than glass or poly-film under hail — rated for 1–2mm diameter hail impact depending on velocity. However, during exceptional wet-snow events, monitoring accumulation and removing snow if needed is the owner's responsibility, particularly for agricultural structures that operate outside the occupied-building code framework. The snow-shedding design handles normal winter conditions without intervention.