Planning your ideal shed is an exciting thing to be doing. But if not all thought through – it can become a long and cumbersome process.
Indeed, knowing where to start can be difficult, especially with so many variables at play like costs, council regulations, and disgruntled neighbours.
So, to get your project underway, we’ve piled together a step by set guide on how to choose the right shed size for your Perth property.
Contents
Step 1. Think about your shed’s purpose
Getting the right shed size all depends on what you plan on storing in your shed.
Are you going for a storage shed, or hoping for a bit of workspace as well?
By now you should already have some idea of what your shed will be used for, but here are some different sheds Perth residents are using daily:
Garden sheds
Usually under 10 square metres and designed to hold all your garden equipment. They are one of the most common types of sheds and are ideal for storing lawn mowers, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and other bits and pieces that you don’t want to leave out in the garden.
Residential sheds
Coming in a variety of sizes, residential sheds include garden sheds, workshops, storage sheds, and recreational spaces.
Commercial sheds
Commercial sheds serve a purpose related to a business’s activities. This could be storing products, a place of manufacture, or a repair workshop.
Agricultural sheds
Agricultural sheds are large sheds that accommodate agricultural assets such as tractors, cars, or other farm equipment. They can also be used to store grains, fertilisers, or other goods that relate to the production of food.
Step 2. How does your dream shed fit in with your existing property?
Your existing property will play a big role in what type of shed you end up choosing. Realistically, there’s no way you’re going to fit your dream 45 square metre shed on a subdivided residential block. So figuring out how to best use your space is an important initial step. You’ll want to use your space to your advantage in both maximising the amount of space you get for your shed, but also leaving room to move outside.
If you’re planning on fitting large objects in there – check you’ve got the room to manoeuvre your gear. You’ll also want to make sure you’re not too close to the fence – which leads into our next section.
Step 3. Do some research into local council regulations
Almost predictably, most councils in Western Australia have their own laws when it comes to erecting a shed – pretty much anywhere. So even if you’re on a remote block of land – it is still a good idea to check. Chances are you could be in a restricted or heritage zone and could be asked to jump through a few hurdles to get started. However, the main thing is that you do your research and get in contact with the local council if you’re unsure about the regulations in your area. Better a legal shed than no shed.
Step 4. Think about customisations
Before you put any pen to paper, consider any potential customisations you want to make your shed truly yours. Are you wanting an extra door on the side – perhaps a wall through the middle for privacy, or maybe you’re looking to hook up solar panels to power your dream home workshop? It’s good to have all your ideas on the table – especially because any last-minute additions might impact the design and overall size of your shed.
Step 5. Draw up a rough plan
Now that you’re sure of the basics: the what, where, and how, it’s time to get your iPad, sketch pad, or notebook out and see how all this is going to come together. If you’re installing a simple 5square metre garden shed, chances are you can skip this and just jot down a few numbers from a tape measure and continue shopping. However, making sure that everything will fit, is critical. From the slab to the walls and the height – this is arguably the most important part.
Step 6. Speak to your neighbours about your plans
Be a hero and let your neighbours know. Even if it’s a small residential shed that they’ll only just be able to see, clueing them in on your plans could mean avoiding an awkward conversation down the track. If you’ve got some plans drawn up – if you’re on especially friendly terms, why not give them a copy to look at too?
Step 7. Get a local shed builder involved
Last but not least. Give a reputable local Perth shed builder a call and get a quote for the shed size you’re interested in. Talking over your plans and getting a quote on-site is always best. That way, you can really hash out your ideas and get your builder on the same page about the design and positioning of your shed.
Settled on the size shed you want? It’s time to get in touch with the experts. Happy shed-building.