Concrete Shed Base Cost

How Much Does a Concrete Shed Base Cost?

Want to know how much a concrete shed base costs in the UK?

How much a concrete base for a shed costs depends on the type of concrete you're looking to use, and how deep the concrete shed base needs to be.

• Poured concrete usually costs between £75 and £95 per m³. For a small shed, the concrete alone will cost around £40.
• Concrete pouring costs around £90 to £100 per m³ for grades C8/C10/C15. Expect to spend around £100 to £110 per m³ for grades C20/C25.
• The average price for C30/C35 grades is £110 to £120 per m³. If you need grades C40/C45 concrete, the average cost of pouring concrete is about £130 to £140 per m³.

Pouring concrete is also typically priced per cubic metre (m³) because you need to fill a volume (i.e., length by width by depth) rather than an area (i.e., length by width).

Getting the foundation right is a critical element of installing a new shed in your garden.

If this isn't done right, then your shed installation might develop a number of issues. This could include water damage and rot, as well as subsidence if the base can't support the shed's weight.

The bottom line is this:

If you want to keep your shed for a long time, then you must get the foundation right. And the most popular option among UK homeowners who want the most durable, long-lasting shed base is concrete.

Unsure how much concrete you'll need for your shed's foundations?

The best thing you can do is consult with a builder near you who understands what's required to correctly lay a concrete base for a shed and can accurately calculate your costs.

There's no cost, no obligation, and no hassle when getting quotes from tradespeople near you via MyJobQuote.

Concrete Shed Base Prices

Now, let's deal with what you should expect the cost of a concrete shed base to be in 2026.

The following are estimated prices, which may vary depending on the size required for your concrete shed base. These include labour and materials, although total cost may be higher in areas such as London and the South East.

Several factors may influence the final cost of constructing a concrete shed foundation.

For example: If you plan to have orders and pour concrete, easy site access is critical. Your quote will also be higher for installing a concrete slab if you transfer the concrete with a wheelbarrow.

If you use concrete slabs, you can normally get them for free or at a low cost. The tradesperson who arrives to place your concrete slab may include turf or soil removal in their quote.

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What Is the Cost of Concrete Base Materials?

Looking for a concrete base cost calculator?

Let's go over the supply costs for a concrete shed base so you know what you're in for if you decide you want to do this job yourself.

Building a shed base incorporates four different components:

• Type 1 MOT (hardcore) - This is your base layer, used for stability
• Concrete - This can be in the form you choose, either ready mix or DIY-mix
• Damp proof membrane (DPM) - Stops moisture from penetrating
• Timber - To form a temporary structure to hold the concrete in place while it sets

Let's add some prices to those components. These costs are material costs only, and do not include any labour or excavation:

How Much Does Shed Base Installation Cost?

So, how much is it to lay a concrete base in the UK?

Concrete bases can be challenging to install. Concrete is the more labour-intensive of the two options, and if installed inaccurately, it can be expensive and physically demanding to remove.

The labour costs to install a concrete shed foundation range from £40 to £50 per m².

This varies based on the complexity of the job and the time required to pour the concrete. For labour, you should budget around £220 and £450 per day.

Make your choice based on the type or size of shed you wish to build. Your decision is influenced by:

• What you aim to store in it
• The location of the shed (sloped/flat ground)
• Your budget

Based on the installer's knowledge and prep workload before laying the material, concrete bases could take somewhere between 24 to 36 hours to lay and begin to set.

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Factors That Impact Concrete Shed Base Costs

There are many reasons why the price of installing a concrete shed base varies. In this section, we go over the different cost factors and how they affect the overall cost.

Location

Tradespeople's prices vary across the country, meaning the cost of installing a concrete shed base will vary depending on where you live.

Hiring costs in the southeast are typically greater than the average, particularly in London.

However, costs are generally lower in northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Size

It should be no surprise that the larger the shed base, the more expensive the job.

A bigger shed base will have greater labour or supply costs than a smaller one.

Duration

The higher the labour cost, the longer it takes to install the concrete shed base.

The longer the hiring time frame, the more you will pay.

Materials

Shed costs will vary depending on the build material.

A metal shed is often more expensive than a wooden shed, but requires less maintenance over time.

Doors and Windows

Sheds with two doors are much more expensive than those with one, and sheds with windows are more expensive than those without.

Depending on the purpose and style of your shed, you can choose between single or double doors. Some people use big sheds instead of garages, which require double doors.

Additional Costs of Concrete Base for a Shed

You could decide to have additional work done when installing a concrete shed base to give your garden a fresh look, from a new patio to landscaping for your entire garden:

• New patio designs cost around £1,200.
• Landscaping costs typically cost around £505, depending on the size of your garden.
• Installing outdoor lighting can transform your garden during the evening, costing around £200, but this can vary depending on your specific requirements.

However, the most likely additional cost will be a new shed, typically costing around £1,020.

What's Involved in Installing a Concrete Shed Base?

Without a firm and level foundation, your new outbuilding may appear new, but it will quickly become unusable.

If you’re wondering how to build a concrete shed base, read on...

Before the Job Starts

• Measure and Mark Out - Your labourer will begin by marking out the region, making it bigger than the shed to leave enough room for the wooden frame that will be placed around the area's perimeter.

During the Job

• Excavate - The labourer will then start to excavate, removing all grass, stones, and debris before compacting the earth. A micro excavator can speed up this process.
• Install Sub-base and Frame - Your sub-base will be installed using MOT Type 1 hardcore, and a sand layer will be spread on top to protect the damp-proof membrane from the stones. A frame will be placed into position.
• Mix Concrete - Next, the required concrete will be calculated by multiplying the slab's length, breadth, and depth. A typical mix ratio is one part cement to five parts aggregate and sand.
• Spread Concrete - The concrete will be spread evenly with a shovel or rake, levelling out with a straight-edged board, then it'll be tapped to remove any air bubbles, before covering with raised polythene to prevent cracking.

After the Job

• Drying Time - Allow at least 48 hours for the concrete slab to dry enough to step on. The slab will cure fully in 28 days, but will be ready to bear weight before then.

Types of Concrete Shed Base

In this section, we will discuss the various types of concrete shed bases and their advantages and disadvantages.

Pavers Made of Concrete

A beginner's shed foundation is appropriate for pre-built or home-built sheds. Paver foundations are constructed on levelled exposed ground or sand. They provide a solid flat foundation for constructing a shed and evenly support the floor.

The bigger the paper, the tougher it is, but it requires fewer pavers. Pavers work well on level ground for smaller sheds with or without a floor made of wood, metal, or plastic. Because pavers are used, the entrance is close to or on the ground.

Once the ground has been levelled, pavers are simple to install. However, if the pavers are to be laid on sand, they must first be levelled. This is because sand also assists in levelling the pavers.

They cost £100 and £200. Pavers are priced according to their size, colour, and shape. Large steel mesh pavers are available, and they're more expensive.

Pros

• ✔ Available in a variety of colours and sizes
• ✔ Quick and simple to install

Cons

• ✖ Can settle into the soil over time
• ✖ It can crack when subjected to heavy loads

Blocks of Solid Concrete

A good foundation for any size shed, ideal for prefabricated or custom-built sheds. Concrete blocks can be rectangular or square.

Only use solid concrete blocks. They must be level with one another and sit on the ground. The number of blocks needed is determined by the shed's dimensions and the ground slope.

You are only levelling the base blocks and not the ground itself. Levelling the blocks and squaring the corners are the most difficult steps. When the terrain is slanted, the difficulty level rises. It is usually in the region of £100.

The size and shape of solid-concrete blocks determine their price. The amount required will be affected by the size of the shed and the slope of the ground. The height of the shed from the ground is another factor to consider.

Pros

• ✔ Good for small sheds
• ✔ Easy to stack

Cons

• ✖ It has the potential to sink over time
• ✖ Unsuitable for steeper slopes

Timber Frame and Gravel Pad

A simple foundation is suitable for ready-made and home-built sheds of any size. This is more challenging for the inexperienced DIYer due to the size. The gravel pad and timber frame foundation are ideal for flat ground. The most difficult steps in this foundation are aligning the 4"x4"s and squaring the corners. This ranges in price from £200 to £400.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to level
• ✔ Good if you have level ground

Cons

• ✖ High rot risk
• ✖ Not DIY-friendly

Slabs of Concrete

A wonderful foundation for any size shed garage, or even a two-story house, whether ready-made or custom-built. The various steps make this harder for the inexperienced DIYer to complete, and it's a more difficult foundation to construct.

The amount of space required is determined by the size of the shed. The finished slab can support cars and sits on the surface, making it simple to enter.

This costs around £2,500 and £4,000 for a 300 square foot pad. The total cost of all materials will vary depending on the area. Rentals/hires of equipment and Building Code requirements also increase the cost.

Pros

• ✔ Permanent solution
• ✔ Able to withstand heavy loads

Cons

• ✖ Pouring requires temperatures above freezing, and it can crack over time
• ✖ Most expensive option

Can I Install a Concrete Shed Base Myself?

If you're constructing a shed or another structure in your garden, including a greenhouse, summer house, or even an office, you'll need to provide it with a sturdy and strong concrete foundation that will support the framework, provide a level base, and protect it from rot caused by groundwater seepage.

If you're used to doing your own DIY projects, you can simply build your own concrete shed base in a day or two. However, you must understand what could go wrong to avoid these minor errors. Here, we will go over what you need to have and be aware of.

It's critical to double-check your preferred shed location in relation to your property lines. In addition, most towns and villages have a particular criterion for building setbacks, which you should check before beginning construction.

If the project appears to be a little larger than you want to take on, you can always hire a professional planned construction contractor to do the ground preparation work for your shed.

Planning Permission for Installing a Concrete Shed Base

Planning permission may be required if the property is a flat, maisonette, or used for a business.

Here's a snapshot of what you need to know:

• The key criteria are that your garden shed is at least 2m away from the boundary if it is taller than 2.5m.
• The building must not be built ahead of any wall constituting the front of the original building, and it may not be more than one storey high or higher than four metres with an apex roof or three metres with a pent roof.
• The construction cannot take up more than half of your garden, cannot have a raised decking of more than 30cm, and cannot have a veranda or balcony.
• You'll need planning permission if your property is a listed building, in a conservation area, or in a protected area such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

It is possible that a garden shed, summerhouse or other garden building was erected without permission, in which case the planning officer may necessitate retrospective planning permission.

If you intend to use your shed base to build a living area, you will need planning permission and Building Regulations approval.

Building Regulations for Installing a Concrete Shed Base

Building Regulations typically don't apply to garden sheds. However, if you're using the space as a habitable accomodation, then you will need Building Regulations approval.

In these circumstances, you'll also need to ensure:

• Any electrical work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations
• Fire, insulation, and ventilation guidelines are followed

If you're unsure about anything, speak to your local planning authority, and they will be able to advise on what you need to be aware of.

Checklist: Hiring Contractors for Installing a Concrete Shed Base

Ready to get your garden shed project underway? Here's what we recommend to ensure the best results from your trader:

• What's their experience like? Has the trader worked on projects like yours before? Make sure they have demonstrable experience with concrete shed bases in particular, and not just in shed construction.
• Have you read their customer reviews? On a trader's MyJobQuote profile, reading reviews is easy - and an important part of your pre-project research to make sure you find the right trader for you.
• Have you asked for recommendations? Your friends and neighbours may know someone who has recently finished a project in their home. They may also be able to advise you on who to avoid, which can be equally beneficial.
• Do they offer any guarantees on their work? Find out if the trader offers a warranty period on their construction, and what happens if the work fails soon after completion.
• Do they have insurance? Reputable traders should have public liability insurance as a minimum requirement.

Ready to get a quote for a concrete shed base?

Get free, no obligation quotes from local builders who can handle all of this for you. MyJobQuote is fast, easy, and connects you with professionals in your area.

This way, you don't need to worry about calculating your concrete shed base yourself, and can leave it to the professionals.

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