Garden sheds: compare quotes and prices

What needs to fit inside?

For garden equipment and bicycles, usable internal space, door width and easy access matter. Allow room to take things out as well: a full shed with a narrow door may be less convenient than a smaller, better-organised model.

A seasonal hobby space has different lighting, flooring and moisture-control needs from a storage shed. If you intend to heat it or use it regularly as an office, suitability and permission need separate consideration. Thicker walls alone do not make a kit suitable for year-round occupation.

Separate internal dimensions, footprint and roof overhang

The advertised floor area may refer to different measurements from the available internal space. Check base dimensions, external wall dimensions and maximum overall dimensions including roof overhang separately. Door opening, gutters and side extensions need space too.

Installers also need working room around the shed. Check the route from the unloading point: steps, narrow gates and a long carrying distance can affect delivery and assembly. An existing paved area must suit the selected building’s size, level requirements and fixings.

Timber, metal or plastic?

Compare the complete construction and specification, not just the surface appearance. The floor, door, roof and connection to the base are particularly important.

Coordinate the foundation and roof

The foundation must suit the particular shed and site. A flat surface is not automatically an adequate foundation. Have the sub-base, support points and anchoring checked against the intended system; existing foundations also need their condition and dimensions assessed.

The roof needs an appropriate permanent covering and a defined rainwater outlet. Roof boards included in the kit do not mean finished waterproofing is included. If the interior is damp, distinguish rain ingress, ground moisture and condensation: the right response depends on the cause and construction.

Check local requirements before buying

Permission depends on location, dimensions and use. Ask the municipality before ordering. Even a small shed may be treated differently in a protected setting, near road building lines or outside a building zone.

An exemption from permission does not remove setback requirements or other building rules. On an allotment or rented plot, the owner’s or association’s rules also apply. Agree who will make the necessary checks and prepare drawings and documents.

Separate shed prices from assembly costs

A Swiss 2026 price list quotes CHF 640 including VAT and travel to assemble one particular metal shed on completed foundations. This is a model-specific example, not a general all-in price.

An assembly package therefore does not replace comparison of the entire project. Check the building purchase, ground preparation, assembly, anchoring and any missing fittings separately. Also ask about additional carrying distances, waterproofing work and disposal of packaging or old materials.

• Kit already purchased. Give the make, model, contents and delivery status. The installation quote should match the actual kit.
• New complete solution. Include the building, base, flooring, roof, any protective coating and requested extras in the same quote.
• Existing shed. Define removal or repair explicitly. Old foundations should not be assumed reusable without checking.

Target repairs and check the handover

For repairs, identify the affected part: roof, floor, wall, door or fixing. A leaking roof, sticking door and softened timber at the base require different work. The make and model help identify compatible parts.

At handover, check that doors close, specified anchors are fitted, and roof junctions and drainage are finished. Ask for care instructions and documents. Timber protection and later inspections should reflect the particular system and its actual weather exposure.