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Is it cheaper to buy or build a shed?

Is it cheaper to buy or build a shed?

It is always cheaper to buy a pre-built garden shed than to build a shed from scratch.

Why?

Australian Municipal Councils generally allow you to build a garden shed without a permit or development application under exempt and complying guidelines.
The first of these guidelines are that the garden shed must be premanufactured. Building a shed from scratch does not qualify so you technically need to apply for a building permit and development application. This will cost around $600 before you start.

Buying a garden shed avoids this cost and hassle.

That is why it is cheaper to buy a shed rather than build a shed from scratch in Australia.
At Sheds4less we try to make buying and building a garden shed as simple and painless as possible.
Use our online shed selector to find the shed that fits your space.

Need more information? Check out our “How to Build a Garden Shed” section below.

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How to build a garden shed

Building a shed does not have to be difficult. You can easily avoid the hassles and frustration that Get a new shed now

have been traditionally associated with building sheds by using a Sheds4Less shed kit instead. There are several advantages to using shed kits as opposed to building sheds from scratch. They include:

Easy Preparation - There is no need to search high and low for all of the things that you need because everything is delivered right to your door.

Everything is Included - You do not have to conduct a lot of research to figure out what you need to build a shed. A Sheds4Less shed kit comes with all of the materials and hardware that you need.

No Drilling or Cutting Required - You can put away the measuring tape when you use a Sheds4Less shed building kit because everything is pre-drilled and cut perfectly to size.

No Confusion - Every piece of hardware and each component is clearly labeled for your convenience. You can avoid wasting a lot of time due to mistakes and errors.

No Building Skills Necessary - A Sheds4Less kit shed makes it possible for just about anyone to build their own shed. You do not have to have prior experience or possess any specialised skills.

Avoid Red Tape - In many cases, Local Councils do not require development applications for sheds that are built from kits. This allows you to avoid the headache and hassle that is typically involved in having such applications approved. You can get started on your shed straightaway, avoid application fees and skip past all of the hassle.

Have a New Shed in One Day - In many cases, it is possible to build an entire shed over the course of a single day.

Shed Building in 10 Simple Steps Once you have made the decision to purchase a kit, the process of actually building a shed is surprisingly easy. Sheds4Less shed kits allow you to build a shed with absolute ease. Clear, easy-to-understand instructions are provided. They include clear drawings and illustrations that make it easy to understand what to do. Before you get started, however, you should keep the following tips in mind:

Do not attempt to build shed on a windy day. Doing so could not only damage the shed components, but it could cause injuries to yourself or others. Wait for a day when the winds are calm. The process will go a lot more smoothly.

Remember that the ribs on the shed's walls should always face outwards. This is the simplest way to avoid inadvertently building your shed the wrong way.

Many people use sawhorses while putting together the components of their sheds. If you have some available, you may want to use them yourself. They provide a stable and convenient place for assembling a shed.

Keep your shed plan within easy reach at all times. Always double-check the instructions before moving along to the next step. It is better to take your time than to rush the process, make mistakes and have to go back and fix them.Now that those tips are out of the way, it is time to move along to the actual instructions on how to build a shed.

Step 1: Double-Check the Component Checklist

This step is simple enough. After you open your Sheds4Less shed kit, perform an inventory of all of the components. A component checklist should be included. Make sure that you have the appropriate quantity of each item. At the same time, round up all of the tools that you will need.

Step 2: Assemble the Back Panel
This is the first step in the pre-assembling phase. Identify the components that make up the back panel of the shed. Overlap one rib from each sheet and fix it at the appropriate points. Position the top and bottom channels by sliding or tapping them into place. Use the self-tapping screws to fix the channels at the appropriate points. Please note that the small lip on the channel should always face out - it is designed to keep rain from collecting inside the shed.

Step 3: Assemble the Front Panel
In most cases, the same process is used to assemble the front panel as is used to assemble the rear panel.

Step 4: Assemble the Side Wall Panels
As with the front and rear panels, you need to overlap one rib over each sheet. You then need to fix them into place at the appropriate points. The side panels typically include gables. After positioning the bottom channel, you need to position the gusset at the apex of the side wall panel. Fix it at the appropriate points. Due to the gable, the top channel will have an apex. In many cases, you will need to bend the top channel so that it forms a gabled shape. You then position it and fix it as you would any other channel.

Step 5: Assemble the Roof Panel
Overlap and position one rib on each sheet. Fix them into place at the appropriate points. Position and affix the top and bottom channels. A vertical strip called a flashing will need to be positioned and fixed at each side. In most cases, you will also need to position and fix a ridge beam. Refer to the illustrated instructions to ensure that everything is positioned appropriately.

Step 6: Assemble the Door
The first step in assembling the typical garden shed door is to position and fix the top and bottom channels. A door strap will be provided and needs to be centred on the door; fix it to all ribs to ensure that it is secure. Vertical U channels need to be positioned next. The left one will have pre-attached hinges. Make sure that you position these channels properly to avoid mishaps. Flip the door over and position and fix the top and bottom U channels.

Step 7: Hang the Door
Your kit should include a door jamb. Locate it and position it on the right side of the plain sheet. Take care to fix it properly at all points. It is especially important to securely fasten all screws and other hardware to avoid a poorly built door. Now it is time to lay the door that you assembled in the previous step onto the plain sheet. In most cases, it will need to be positioned approximately 30 mm from the top and the bottom of the sheet. Refer to your sheds kits instructions to confirm this. At this point, you must fix the provided hinges in place. When you are finished, the door should be affixed securely and properly.

Step 8: Assemble the Front Panel
Overlap and fix one rib over each sheet and the pre-hung door panel. Fix them into place at the appropriate points. Position the door jamb and fix it according to the provided instructions. When you are finished with this step, you will have a secure panel with a door in place.

Step 9: Final Installation
Now that you have all of the components pre-assembled, it is time to actually erect the shed. Lay out all four of the panels in the proper order. Make sure that the ribs are going to face outward. Follow these steps:

Raise one side panel and the back panel; fix them at the appropriate points.
Fix each self-tapping screw in order from top to bottom.
Square the walls to ensure that their diagonal measurements are equal.
Secure the second side panel and the front panel in the same manner as above.
Make sure that all walls are securely fastened.
Position and fix the pre-assembled roof panels. The ridge beam should be attached.

When the preceding steps are complete, you should have a completed shed. Sheds designs do vary, so always consult the included instructions for more clarity. Before completion, make sure that the padbolt for the door works properly. If the site is not perfectly level, a problem may occur. It can often be remedied by levering up the wall and packing beneath it.

Step 10: Anchor the Shed
Nothing can damage a shed quite like severe wind. The best way to protect your shed - and innocent passersby - from damages or injuries is by securely anchoring it. Pouring a fresh concrete slab is the preferred way to do this. It is also possible to anchor a new shed to an existing concrete slab. Refer to the instructions in your shed kit to make sure. There you have it! Building a shed really isn't terribly difficult. The most important thing to keep in mind is to take your time. Read through the included instructions at least once before you begin working. Kit sheds are remarkably easy to build. The amount of time, money and aggravation that you save can be considerable. Compared with building a shed from scratch, a Sheds4Less shed kit is exceptionally simple. When your new shed is in place within the space of a single day, you will be glad that you used a kit.