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Shed Installation Cost Guide 2024: How Much to Build a Garden Shed?

By Sam

Last updated 25th September 2024 - Reading time: 11 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 and 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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Average Cost of Building a Shed

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

£700

Introduction to Garden Sheds
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shed?
- Garden Shed Prices
Factors Influencing Garden Shed Costs
Things to Consider When Installing a Garden Shed
How to Build a Shed
Garden Shed Tips
FAQs
Sources

Introduction to Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are an essential addition to any backyard, offering a practical solution for storing and organizing gardening tools, equipment, and supplies.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or simply need a place to keep your outdoor items, a garden shed can provide the perfect storage solution. In this guide, we’ll explore the various aspects of garden sheds, including their benefits, costs, and factors to consider when building one.

What is a Garden Shed?

A garden shed is a small, freestanding structure designed to store and organize gardening tools, equipment, and supplies. Typically located in a backyard or garden, garden sheds can serve a variety of purposes.

From housing lawn mowers and gardening tools to storing outdoor furniture and seasonal items, a garden shed helps keep your outdoor space tidy and clutter-free. With various designs and sizes available, you can find a garden shed that perfectly suits your needs and complements your garden’s aesthetic.

Benefits of Having a Garden Shed

Having a garden shed can provide numerous benefits, including:

Increased Storage Space: A garden shed offers ample space to store gardening tools, equipment, and supplies, freeing up room in your garage or home.
Improved Organization: With a dedicated space for gardening items, you can easily organize and access your tools and supplies, making gardening tasks more efficient.
Enhanced Security: Garden sheds provide a secure place to store valuable items such as lawn mowers, bicycles, and power tools, protecting them from theft and weather damage.
Dedicated Gardening Space: A garden shed can serve as a workspace for gardening activities like potting, pruning, and planting, keeping your garden neat and organized.
Aesthetic Appeal: Garden sheds can be designed to complement your garden’s landscape, adding visual interest and enhancing the overall look of your outdoor space.

How Much Does it Cost 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 neatly and dryly 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 should call in tradesmen to install the shed for you. While wooden sheds are popular, a metal garden shed offers durability and low maintenance at a competitive price.

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"

LIVERPOOL ELECTRICS LTD

Garden Shed Prices

Job Description	Duration	Material Cost	Labour Cost
6ft x 4ft Budget Shed on a Simple Slab Base	1 day	£500	£200
8ft x 6ft Shed on a Slab Base	1-2 days	£550	£300
Larger 12ft x 8ft Shed on Concrete Base	2 days	£650	£450

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A plastic garden shed, typically made from vinyl or composite materials, offers a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to wooden and metal sheds.

Factors Influencing Garden Shed Costs

When planning to build a garden shed, it’s essential to consider the various factors that can influence the overall cost. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions and budget effectively for your new garden shed.

Size and Scale of the Shed

The size and scale of the shed are significant factors that influence the cost of a garden shed. Larger sheds require more materials and labour to build, which increases the overall cost. Additionally, the size of the shed will also impact the cost of installation, as larger sheds may require more complex foundation work and additional labour to assemble.

For example, a small garden shed (6ft x 4ft) can cost between £500 to £1,500, while a larger shed (12ft x 8ft) can cost between £1,500 to £5,000 or more. Other factors that can influence the cost of a garden shed include the type of materials used, the design and features of the shed, and the location where the shed is installed. By considering these factors, you can better estimate the cost to install a shed that meets your needs and fits your budget.

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.

When installing metal sheds, it is crucial to ensure proper anchoring to prevent wind damage due to their lightweight nature.

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 there 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.

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. Building plastic sheds typically involves assembling pre-fabricated panels, which can be easier and quicker compared to wooden or metal sheds.

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

Regularly treat your wooden garden shed with a high-quality wood stain to protect it from weather damage and prolong its lifespan.

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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!

When choosing the size of metal garden sheds, consider their lightweight nature and ensure they are properly anchored to prevent wind damage.

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.

When placing a plastic shed, ensure it is on a level surface to prevent warping and consider its exposure to sunlight to avoid UV damage.

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.