Cost of a Shed

By Sam
Last updated 13th March 2024 - Reading time: 8 mins
At a glance
  • The average cost to install a shed is around £700
  • The job will take about 1 - 2 days to complete
In this article, you'll discover the following:
  • A complete pricing breakdown which includes things to consider before starting and what such a task usually involves
  • How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed
  • How to find and hire a shed installer

Want to know how much it costs to have a garden shed installed?

In this complete new shed guide we break down shed builder fees for assembling a shed, shed materials for different types of sheds, such as brick sheds, concrete sheds and more!

Average prices when building a shed from scratch tend to be around £700.

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garden shed

Average Cost of Building a Shed

Building a garden shed typically will take around 1-2 days

£700

How Much to Build a Shed?

Garden sheds are specifically designed to help you store and organize everything you need for your garden.

Without a garden shed, you’ll be forced to leave garden tools and equipment in the open all over the garden, making things hard to find, susceptible to water damage and on view for burglars to steal them easily! With a garden shed, everything can be stored neat and dry, just where you need it.

A decent shed will also improve the overall appearance of your garden by getting rid of unsightly clutter, stopping your garden from ending up looking like a junkyard! If you are a keen gardener, then no garden can really be complete without a garden shed, a well-organised garden shed is an absolute must!

Although you can build a small garden shed as a DIY project as long as you have at least one person willing to lend a hand, for larger and more expensive sheds you really should call in a tradesmen to install the shed for you.

The easiest way to gather quotes is to use our FREE "post a job" service! Simply leave brief details of the shed you need building along with your contact details, then sit back and let reputable tradesmen get in touch with you to provide quotes and further information!

Hoping to get power into a garden shed. I have need of temporarily getting power to the shed for power tools as and when needed - i.e not on any regular basis. What do I need to consider?

"You have to factor in the ampage of the circuit that you plan to use , the distance of the lead to the shed . Then factor in the load of the items that you plan to use . If you exceed the load then you will get tripping of the mcbs through overload. Also you might get volt drop which can lead to the motors burning out on machinery . My advice would be to get a qualified electrician to safely install the supply to make the installation safe"

Garden Shed Prices

Job DescriptionDurationMaterial CostLabour Cost
6ft x 4ft Budget Shed on a Simple Slab Base1 day£500£200
8ft x 6ft Shed on a Slab Base1-2 days£550£300
Larger 12ft x 8ft Shed on Concrete Base2 days£650£450
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Things to Consider When Installing a Garden Shed

The most important part of any garden shed installation is building the foundation or base. The base for any shed has to be strong and level, otherwise, the shed will buckle and warp, causing any windows to break or the door to get stuck against the frame.

Placing your shed too close to fences or walls is not a good idea, always leave enough room to access all sides of the shed so you can paint/treat all of the timber to prevent rot.

If you are considering having electrical power in your new shed, then you need to consider how this will be supplied in your chosen location. Electrical cables need to be buried underground for safety, so if thee are any paths or patio areas between the main electrical supply and the proposed shed location, then this will cause problems!

If you intend to spend a lot of time in the shed on a daily basis, consider getting as much natural light as possible by having multiple windows.

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How to Build a Shed

Building a shed is pretty straightforward but this is not a one-man job, even small sheds will require two pairs of hands and larger sheds are probably a three-man job. There are no specialist tools involved as most sheds are nailed or screwed together.

So a hammer and/or a cordless screwdriver are the main tools required. Building the base is actually the more difficult job, as the shed usually comes in 6 sections which are simply joined together.

But the base needs to be flat and level, preferably concrete but paving slabs will do for smaller sheds. To assemble the shed you need an extra pair of hands to hold the sections together while you fix them with screws and/or nails.

The order in which the sections are assembled will depend on the manufacturer, but for obvious reasons the roof is usually added last once all 4 sides have been screwed together.

So as long as you have someone to help you and you are reasonably fit, building a small shed is a suitable project for DIY. But if you are on your own, don’t have any tools, are not fit, or just don’t have the time – then get a tradesman in to do the job for you.

The company that supplied your shed may have an installation service, but always shop around for prices from local tradesmen, don’t just assume their price is reasonable.

See here for more information on how to build a shed.

Garden Shed Tips

  • Wooden sheds need regular maintenance
  • Always get the biggest shed you can
  • All sheds need a concrete or slab base
  • Sheds can be assembled as a DIY project if you have the time and physical ability
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FAQs

What size of garden shed do I need?
The general rule for any storage is that the available space will always be used, so buy the biggest shed you can fit into the available garden space that you can afford!
Where should I lput my garden shed?
Ideally, your garden shed should have clear space on all sides for maintenance so avoid placing too close to fences or the main building. Also, remember to allow for future growth of trees and shrubs and keep shed well clear.
How should I maintain my wooden shed?
Unless your shed is made from cedar or pressure treated timber it will require twice a year treatment with a good quality wood stain to prolong the life of the shed. Untreated cedar will just gradually fade to a silvery grey without treatment but you should regularly oil the door and window hinges to ensure a long lifespan.
Can I have an electricity supply in my garden shed?
Providing an electricity supply to a garden shed is a pretty straightforward job but since 2005 all electrical work must be completed in accordance with IEE wiring regulations and BS 7671.

So if providing electricity to a shed this would need to be checked by the local building control department or be completed by someone approved under the Part P Electrical Competent Person Scheme, such as a professional electrician. This is not a suitable project for a DIY enthusiast.
Is planning permission required for my new garden shed?
The majority of garden sheds will not require planning permission but permission is required for any shed which covers more than half the garden or which is over 3 metres high.

Larger sheds close to the property boundary and shed used for commercial reasons will also need permission. Please note that you should always check with your local planning department before erecting any structure.
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