DIY build challenges
Inspired by our customers, David and the crew at C'mon Homestead tackled the massive challenge of assembling their awaited greenhouse kit on their off-grid mountain property, demonstrating the true grit of DIY homesteading.. After preparing the slab, the greenhouse kit has arrived, and it's time to put it up. Building your own structure, especially one as large and complex as a full-size greenhouse, is the essence of homesteading. It's about taking your food security and self-sufficiency into your own hands.
In this C'mon Homestead video, host David and the crew dive headfirst into the massive project, and they don't hold back on the realities - the heat, the surprises, and the mandatory calls to the CEO. If you're planning a large DIY kit build, you need to watch this!
Unboxing a giant puzzle and dealing with the reality
The greenhouse kit arrived in a single, massive crate, and the first task of the day was getting it safely unboxed.
Once the top and side panels were off, the scale of the project was immediately clear: one side held all the frame pieces, and the other side housed a ton of glass panels.
A crucial unboxing note
Unfortunately, not everything arrived in perfect condition. David discovered some broken glass panels at the bottom of the crate. The good news? He was already in contact with the support team, who committed to replacing any damaged pieces.
Homesteading Tip: for large kits like this, inventory your parts immediately. Check for any damage and contact the manufacturer right away. It's much easier to deal with replacements before the entire structure is half-built!
The assembly challenge: tools and teamwork
The heat was brutal, so David wisely called in the "A-Team" (Mel, Mike, and Gary) to tackle the assembly. This project was a perfect example of why having the right tools and a solid crew is essential.
Solving the base frame mystery
What looked like a simple assembly quickly turned into a bit of a puzzle. The instructions were downloaded to an iPad for easy viewing. The first major hurdle was the sheer number of bolts. The crew realized a standard ratchet would take "three and a half days," prompting a quick run for nut drivers for the drills.
The base frame itself was tricky, utilizing small flat metal rods and allen head screws that slide into the grooves to hold the large pieces together. It took some collective head-scratching to figure out this ingenious mounting system.
Fighting the mountain factor
Securing the base to the ground proved to be another massive battle. As the homestead is on a mountain, the ground is full of rock, which made driving to the anchor points a tough, grueling process.
"We’re on a mountain, and there’s a lot of rock... we’re literally talking like splitting hairs."
The hidden challenge: missing pieces and a two-day project
As the sun started to set and the day wore on, they pushed through the intermediate posts and the upper beams, making solid progress. But the build had one last surprise in store: missing parts.
They discovered they were missing crucial brackets needed to fully secure the frame.
The reality of a large DIY kit is that things are rarely 100% perfect. Despite the heat, the broken glass, and the missing brackets, they managed to get the main frame up and secured before calling it a day.
Key takeaways for your own build
Prep your tools: assume a massive kit will require specialized drivers, like nut drivers or allen heads.
The help is priceless: large kits are not a solo job, especially in the heat. Working in shifts with a good crew is essential.
Don't tighten yet! When connecting large frame sections, David's crew learned a vital lesson: don't tighten all the nuts just yet. Keep them loose so you can fidget and adjust the pieces until the entire section is square.
It can take longer: what you think is a one-day project will likely be a two-day project. Give yourself grace and be prepared for the unexpected.
We extend our gratitude to the entire C'mon Homesteading team for their commitment to completing this phase of the installation. A successful build is a team effort. The greenhouse frame is up, and we can’t wait to see the next video where they tackle the rest of the glass and finally finish this build!
At Yourgreenhouses, we respect that effort. That's why we back your dedication with a damage-proof guarantee. Our commitment to quality ensures any issues, like the broken glass seen in the video, are solved quickly with fast replacement and dedicated customer support.
Looking for a greenhouse engineered for strength, take a look here: https://yourgreenhouses.com/collections/greenhouse-accessories#glass-greenhouses
If you love watching honest, hard-working off-grid builds, be sure to subscribe to the C'mon Homesteading channel for more updates on the tiny house, the sawmill, and the rest of the mountain adventure.
Watch the build video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJm7sXpKpU
