A hoop house uses a steel frame and plastic coverings to create a controlled growing environment at a much lower cost than a traditional greenhouse. Both can be heated, ventilated, and used year-round, but hoop houses typically require more maintenance. Greenhouses often use glass or rigid panels and concrete floors, driving up cost and complexity.

Most growers choose the largest size they can fit and manage, especially when using NRCS funding. The program pays a flat rate per square foot, and larger hoophouses cost less per square foot, since endwalls, doors, cranks, and delivery are fixed costs. That means bigger builds often result in lower out-of-pocket expense. If you’re paying privately, the same logic applies. Once you’re mobilizing a crew and starting a project, the incremental cost of extra length is small. Few growers ever wish they had gone smaller

A Nifty hoophouse is built to last for decades. The frame is made from Allied Gatorshield® galvanized steel tubing, which offers superior corrosion resistance and long-term strength. The roof plastic (double 6-mil polyethylene) typically lasts 6-8 years and is easy to replace. Endwalls and side curtains use Solarig® woven reinforced polyethylene for added durability. Maintaining inflation between the overhead plastic layers is key to withstanding wind and extending lifespan. With proper maintenance, structures can still be going strong after 30 years or more.

Yes. Our kits are the easiest on the market to assemble. Everything is pre-drilled and bolts together cleanly without clamps or guesswork. We provide detailed written instructions and step-by-step video guides, and growers consistently tell us they’re impressed by how simple the system is to build. Many install it themselves without a small crew, but one of our most popular options is the community build: we arrive with two builders, all the materials, and all the tools; you bring friends, neighbors, or your farm crew, and together we raise the structure in a single day. It’s efficient, memorable, and a lot like an old-school barn raising.

Pricing depends on size, but most of our structures fall between $9,000 and $20,000. For example, a 30’x96’ kit with all our standard features runs around $16,500. Smaller 16’ or 22.5’ wide models start under $6,000. That includes the full steel frame, steel-framed endwalls, double polyethylene, roll-up sides, automatic ventilation, and all hardware, but not installation. Many growers choose to install themselves, organize a Nifty-led community build, or hire our crew for a fast, professional full installation. You can get a quote here.

In many areas, hoophouses used for agricultural production are exempt from building permits, but this varies by jurisdiction. Technically, a hoophouse isn’t a building. It’s a temporary agricultural structure with no foundation, but some local officials will not understand the distinction. Before you inquire, review your state’s right-to-farm laws and research relevant county or municipal ordinances and get clear on what permits and or setbacks are required in your area.. If needed, we can provide drawings and specifications to demonstrate the structure’s agricultural purpose or for approval by your local officials.

The site should be flat, not necessarily level. We can handle moderate slope, but too much deviation from a plane requires trenching or backfilling. Choose a spot with full sun exposure to the south. Shadows get long in winter, and consistent sun is key to winter production. The area should be clear and accessible for a truck and trailer. Good drainage is critical. Avoid low spots prone to pooling, and consider adding tile or a perimeter trench if needed. If you’re planning deep tillage like chisel plowing, do it well in advance. Large-scale amendments like compost are also easier to delivery and spread before construction. You can kill weeds ahead of time by covering the site with a silage tarp for several weeks or months, depending on the season. Till a strip around the perimeter so baseboards can be tucked into the soil. Learn more, here.

Nifty Hoophouses are built from Allied Gatorshield® galvanized steel tubing, which offers superior corrosion resistance and structural strength. All connections are bolted (no clamps or drilling in the field), making the frame fast to assemble and rock solid once complete. Covers are double-layer greenhouse-grade polyethylene for the roof, with reinforced Solarig® woven polyethylene on endwalls and roll-up curtains for extra durability where it counts.

The gothic arch sheds snow naturally and offers excellent wind resistance, making it ideal for northern climates and exposed sites. Our structures are constructed with 4-foot bow spacing, diagonal corner braces, and Gatorshield® steel tubing to hold up under real weather conditions. When properly installed with inflation between roof layers, a Nifty hoophouse performs exceptionally in harsh climates. For extremely windy or snowy sites, we offer optional high-load bracing for added reinforcement.

We use high-quality greenhouse-grade polyethylene film. The roof is double-layer 6-mil plastic with a low-voltage inflation system between layers to improve insulation, strength, and longevity. Endwalls and roll-up curtains are covered with Solarig® woven reinforced polyethylene for added tear resistance and durability in high-stress zones.

Yes. All Nifty hoophouses come standard with roll-up sides for passive ventilation, complete with steel roll-bars and locking crank handles. Endwall vents are also included to keep air moving. For growers who want hands-free climate control, we offer motorized and thermostatically controlled curtains and vents.

Yes. Our structures can be dismantled and moved to a new location if needed. The frame bolts together, so relocating is straightforward, although the roof plastic and curtains will need to be replaced. Extending the length is simple: just move the endwall, add posts, bows, purlins, and baseboards, and install new overhead plastic and curtains to match.

Yes. All Nifty hoophouses come with fully framed endwalls and a hinged walk-through door. Our 30’ and 22.5’-wide models also include an 8’x8’ equipment access panel, allowing easy entry for wheelbarrows, carts, and compact tractors.

Yes. Our structures are compatible with fans, heaters, grow lights, and other climate control systems. Many growers run propane or natural gas heaters, powered ventilation, or LED lighting, especially for winter greens or transplants.

Yes. Many growers insure their hoophouse as a farm structure through farm insurance, and some are able to cover it under a homeowners policy, especially for personal or homestead use. Requirements vary by provider, but our structures meet common standards. We can supply detailed invoices and specs to support your application.

We install anywhere in the United States. Our crews regularly travel throughout the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and beyond. In some regions, we may coordinate a community build, or connect you with a trained local builder. Wherever your farm is, we can make it happen.

Yes, we offer full-service installation, but our most popular option is the Community Build, which is fast, efficient, and nearly turnkey. We bring the entire kit, all tools, and two trained builders. You provide a crew of friends, neighbors, or farm staff. It’s like an old-school barn raising. Together, we raise the structure in one day. We don’t handle site prep, grading, or utility installation, but we do complete all structural assembly and internal wiring for low-voltage systems.

Yes. We can build on gravel or asphalt by driving posts directly through the surface. We don’t anchor into concrete slabs, but if you’re pouring a pad, we can coordinate the build.

Yes. Many customers choose to purchase a kit and handle the installation themselves using farm staff, friends, or a local builder. Our kits are designed for ease of assembly, with pre-drilled parts and step-by-step instructions. We also provide installation videos and are available to answer questions along the way.

We’re building a national network of trained independent builders (LINK HERE to new builder network page and may be able to connect you with someone in your area. If you already have a contractor or skilled crew, we can also support them with installation guides, videos, and assistance over the phone. Just reach out. We’re happy to help you find the best path forward.

Nifty Hoophouses are designed for strength, efficiency, and simplicity. Our frames are made from Allied Gatorshield® steel, all parts are pre-drilled and bolt together without clamps, and our kits include durable, field-tested materials throughout. We offer hands-on service, community builds, full installations, and deep experience with NRCS-funded projects, backed by thousands of successful installs nationwide. Most importantly, we’re farmers too. Our team has real growing experience, so we design, advise, and install with the end user in mind.

In most states, yes, Nifty hoophouses meet NRCS EQIP requirements for High Tunnel System funding, and we’ve helped many hundreds of growers access those funds successfully. Requirements vary by state and county, so it’s important to check with your local NRCS office. We can provide detailed specs and paperwork to support your application.

It means a hoophouse meets the technical standards required by your state’s NRCS office for funding under the High Tunnel System practice. There’s no national standard. Each state defines its own requirements. Our structures meet or exceed those standards in most states, and we can confirm they do before you apply. If your state’s specs call for something different, we’ll let you know up front.

An Assignment of Payment lets NRCS pay us directly on your behalf once your project is approved and certified. You don’t have to front the cost and wait for reimbursement. This option is only available for full installations or community builds, not for kit-only purchases. You sign the assignment form, we complete the build, your NRCS agent signs off, and NRCS sends the payment directly to us.

Yes. We’re familiar with the NRCS application and funding process and can provide the specifications, drawings, and documentation your agent will ask for. While we’re not a governmental agency and can’t submit paperwork for you, we’ll make sure you have what you need to move smoothly through the approval process.

It varies by state and funding cycle, but most applicants wait several months from initial application to final approval. In some regions, approvals are issued just once or twice a year. We recommend starting early and contacting your NRCS office well before your target build season. Once approved, you typically have one year to complete the project, with the option to request a one-year extension if needed.

We don’t offer in-house financing, but we’re happy to work with your lender or farm service agency to support a loan application. For NRCS-funded builds, the Assignment of Payment option often eliminates the need to front the full cost. If you’re not using NRCS, payment is typically split: a deposit to schedule the build or delivery, with the balance due before delivery or at completion.

The double-layer inflated polyethylene roof covering typically lasts 4 to 8 years, depending on sun exposure, wind, and inflation maintenance. Replacement is straightforward and relatively low-cost. The endwalls and curtains are made from reinforced Solarig® material and usually lasts 8 to 10 years.

Keep the inflation blower running to maintain proper pressure between the plastic layers. This helps shed snow and resist wind. Monitor for snow buildup during storms and clear it if needed. Make sure roll-up sides are fully secured and doors are latched. Routine checks and quick fixes go a long way in preventing weather-related damage.

Yes, with the right crops and management, a Nifty hoophouse can support production through all four seasons. Cold-hardy greens, roots, and brassicas thrive in winter, while tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers do well in spring through fall. With row cover, soil health, and proper ventilation, many growers harvest fresh produce even in the coldest months in the north.

Nearly everything grows better in a hoophouse. The protected environment boosts heat-loving crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and extends the season for greens, herbs, and root crops. Growers also use high tunnels for starts, flowers, seed crops, and even mushrooms. With added control over temperature, moisture, and airflow, yields improve and timing gets more predictable.