Garden sheds work exceptionally well as additional storage space. Sheds are smaller outbuildings compared to a summer house or log cabin and therefore aren’t as costly or time-consuming to construct.
Our guide breaks down the average cost of a garden shed, what affects the cost and ways that you can save money on building your own garden shed.
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How Much Do Sheds Cost?
The cost of a garden shed varies depending on a few factors. We take a look at these factors in the table below.
| Size of Wooden Shed | Estimated Supply Cost | Labour Cost | Time Required | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4 x 6 feet) | £600 | £150 | One day | £750 |
| Medium (6 x 8 feet) | £800 | £250 | One to two days | £1,050 |
| Large (8 x 10 feet) | £1,000 | £400 | One to two days | £1,400 |
Most gardens have some form of garden shed to store garden tools, lawnmowers or even some garden furniture.
A small shed of 4×6 feet is likely to cost £600 and take one day to build. A larger garden shed of 8×10 feet will cost £1,000 and could take between one to two days to build depending on the size, location and base of the garden shed.
Labour costs are likely to be somewhere between £150-£400 depending on the size of the shed.
Labour costs for a garden shed vary depending on the size of the shed and will also vary depending on location. Take this into account when budgeting for the build.
HouseholdQuotes can help you find qualified tradespeople to build your perfect garden shed.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of a Shed?
There are a few factors that impact the cost of a shed. Most come down to the design and materials required.
Size
The table above breaks down the average cost of a shed depending on the most common sizes and you will be able to see that the larger the shed, the more it will cost.
This is due to the number of materials involved in the build and the manpower required to get the job done.
Material
Wood isn’t the only material of choice when it comes to garden sheds. The table below looks at the cost of metal and plastic sheds:
Shed Size
| Shed Size | Estimated Supply Cost for a Metal Shed | Estimated Supply Cost for a Plastic Shed |
|---|---|---|
| Small shed (4 x 6 feet) | £350 | £300 |
| Medium shed (6 x 8 feet) | £450 | £400 |
| Large shed (8 x 10 feet) | £650 | £600 |
A shed roof can cost between £50 and £150 depending on the size and the style of roof you want to have.
A pitched roof is a common slanted style of roof with a rustic appeal. It is good for preventing leakages as the water run quickly off the sloped panels.
A shed with a pitched roof is likely to cost anyway from £60-£125 depending on the size.
Another common style of shed roof is the flat roof. There will still be a slight slant in a flat roof for water drainage, but it won’t be as steep as a pitched roof.
A shed with a flat roof is a cheaper option and likely to cost between £40-£100.
Roof Materials
| Material Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt | -Many different colour choices -Affordable | -High maintenance -Susceptible to weather damage | £4-£6 |
| Metal Sheets | -Easy to install -Long lifespan | -Quick to rust if not finished correctly -Can be noisy in colder and wetter weather | £5-£10 |
| Slate Tiles | -Easy to install -Long lifespan | -Higher cost for material -Requires specialised installers | £30-£60 |
| Wooden Shingles | -Aesthetically pleasing -Long lifespan | -Higher cost for material -High maintenance | £20-£50 |
Windows
Not all garden sheds need windows. However, if you would prefer to have some natural light in your shed then you make sure to buy or build a shed with windows installed.
The supply cost of two plastic windows that are 50cm x 50cm has an average cost of £24.
Electricity
If you’re thinking about installing electricity in your shed, consider the impact this could have on your budget as it will cost more.
The cost depends on what type of electrics you want to be implemented. Most people get by fine without electricity in their garden shed, but if you intend to use it for more than just storage, consider installing it.
Labour Costs
On average a tradesperson will charge you between £150-£250 for one or two days’ work.
If you want a larger shed, this will increase the labour costs as more time will be spent on the job.
Labour costs also differ depending on location. Labour costs in London are £100 more expensive than labour costs in the South West and Midlands area.
For all regions of the North, labour costs will be between £50-£100 cheaper than that of the London labour costs.
Shed Base
If you are planning to store heavy machinery or tools in your garden shed, consider having a shed with a concrete base built. The concrete base provides a solid surface for the structure to go on top of, making the overall build sturdier and more secure.
The installation cost for a concrete shed base will fluctuate depending on the size of the base needed and where you live in the UK. An estimated cost for a concrete shed base is between £500-£1,000.
Removal of Old Shed
If you have a previous shed that has rotted or is no longer suitable for your needs, you may need to consider having it removed.
You will likely need to hire a skip for the waste removal, and this could cost from £100-£300 depending on the size required.
The labour costs for removing an old shed will again depend on where you live in the UK and the size of the previous shed but will likely be from £50-£350.
How Can I Save Money on a New Shed?
If you’re looking to install a base with the garden shed, prepare it yourself. Paving slabs are the best option for a cheap and easy-to-build base and all the necessary equipment needed can be found at local stores such as B&Q, for a cost ranging from £2-£10 depending on the quality of the stone and sizing.
The most important step is ensuring you’ve chosen the right size shed. Firstly, decide on the location of your shed and then measure this space for the most accurate results when deciding on the right size for you.
Metal and plastic can be cheaper options for a shed. A wooden shed tends to be the favourite due to the longevity of the build and the aesthetic appeal, but if you need to cost cut, consider metal or plastic sheds.
Metal sheds are easy to build, very secure and don’t require as much maintenance as a wooden shed. Plastic sheds are much cheaper than either metal or wood sheds and substantially lighter too, making them easy to build and even move if need be.
If you’re building a wooden shed, consider an overlap shed – built with vertical overlapping wooden boards – instead of shiplap or tongue and groove sheds. Though overlap sheds are a cheaper option, they are less durable than shiplap or tongue and groove sheds.
Sheds are not a hugely complicated build, so if you feel confident in your DIY skills or have the time to do a bit of online research, consider building the shed yourself!
You can build the shed from the ground up and source the materials needed individually, or you can use prefabricated panels to save a bit of time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the DIY option doesn’t appeal to you, then use HouseholdQuotes and let us find you a qualified professional who can build the shed for you.
Click To Get QuotesWhat’s Involved in Building a Shed?
If you’ve decided to hire a professional to build your shed, there are a few steps to the process.
Firstly, the base will be prepared by measuring the size of the area. If you’ve opted for a concrete base it will need to cure for a few days before the structure can be placed on top of it, so make sure to plan in the time needed for this.
Instructions on building a shed will vary from supplier to supplier, so the shed will then need to be constructed following the specific manufacturer’s instructions.
After the base is laid, typically the back panel of the shed will be lifted into place with the side panels slotting around it.
Once these are nailed in, the panel housing the door can be aligned and fitted into place, leaving the roof beam to be fitted into position and the roof panels to be secured.
The last step of building a shed will be the removal of any waste material or rubbish that may have been collected during the job.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Building a Shed?
Planning Permission
Rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, so once you’ve decided you want to build a shed you may need to check with your local Planning Office if you have permission to go ahead with the build.
If you’re unsure whether or not the rules apply to you should seek advice and approval from your local Planning Office and more advice can be found here.
Location
Select the location of your shed taking into account factors such as trees, roots, drains, sewers, pipes, cable and the evenness of the ground. A survey may also need to be carried out to check that there are no wires above or below ground that the shed may construct.
Remember that future trees, shrubs and plants will grow and consider this before choosing a location for your shed.
Electricity and Water
If you’re hoping to include electricity in your garden shed, you will need to ensure the shed is suitably placed for the pipework and that it will not interfere with any already existing pipes or wires.
Most people do not need electricity or water for their shed, but this does depend on if you’re seeking to use the shed only as a storage space or as a more advanced outbuilding.
It’s advised you seek the help of a qualified electrician or plumber to help with this as it is a complex job that may require certain qualifications.
How Do I Hire Someone to Build a Shed?
Ask your friends and family whose recommendations you trust if they know anyone suitable. If a neighbour has recently had a shed built or knows someone who has, ask them if they’d be happy sharing the tradesperson’s contact details.
Use HouseholdQuotes and let us help you find the perfect qualified tradesperson to build your shed to your requirements.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
Asking the right questions will verify the tradesperson’s abilities. We recommend you ask them:
- For a written quote. Any professional tradesperson will be happy to provide you with a written quote so you can see exactly what they are offering and for what cost. Make sure to ask if rubbish and waste removal is included.
- For their experience. It’s best to go with a tradesperson who has experience doing similar work.
- For their references. If they can provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need before the process starts:
- Choose the location for your shed.
- Measure the location to determine the correct size of your shed and decide on the material.
- Check if you need planning permission.
- If you’re cutting costs or undertaking the entire build yourself, then make sure you get the base of the shed set first before the structure is placed on top.
- Let HouseholdQuotes find you the right professional for the job so that you can rest easy whilst your shed is being built!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
What Size Shed Should I Buy?
Take into account the location where the shed will be built and, for total accuracy, measure its dimensions so you know what size shed you will be looking for before the final purchase.
How Long Should My Shed Last?
If you decide to purchase a wooden shed, you can consider timber treatments to improve the durability of the wood and give your shed a longer lifespan.
What’s the Difference Between a Shed, a Summer House, and a Log Cabin?
A summer house tends to be a larger build that fits right alongside the house. They can be built for multiple purposes.
The main difference between a summer house and a log cabin rests in the construction. Summer houses are built in various shapes and styles, but log cabins typically follow the usual overlapping corner connections structure which makes them sturdier and more durable.