Shed Installation Costs: Factors & Pricing Guide

By now, you've likely done some research on sheds and discovered that not every shed seller offers installation services. This guide is designed to assist you by walking through the key elements, empowering you with the knowledge needed to make the right decision before purchasing a shed.

Garden sheds are a popular and practical addition to home storage. Traditionally used for storing garden tools, they now serve a variety of purposes beyond that. They help in reducing clutter and organising items efficiently. Garden sheds can store not only garden tools but also bikes, kayaks, and cleaning materials, keeping them separate from your main house. Before purchasing a garden shed, consider both your current and future storage needs.

Estimating the cost of a garden shed is crucial, as several factors contribute to it. Surprisingly, installation costs can sometimes exceed the price of the shed itself, as there may be unexpected issues during the actual project.

However, it's best not to attempt the installation yourself if:

X you've struggled to assemble simple kitset furniture, such as a tallboy, a dresser, or a trampoline. It can be frustrating trying to decipher the instruction manual.

X you're unfamiliar with terms like "rivet" and how to use tools like a riveter.

X you've never operated power tools like a wooden cutting machine (to adjust plank sizes), a drill (for making holes), or a glue gun (for sealing holes), among others.

X you don't have someone to assist you, even if the shed is small in size.

If that’s you – you better hire a Shed Assembler

Factor Influencing Installation Costs

In a nutshell for you:

Installation services are pricier for larger sheds
Assembly charges vary among different brands
Used sheds typically incur higher assembly charges compared to newer ones
A flatter installation area results in cheaper base installation costs
There is a cost associated with installing shed floors

Size of the Shed

The Larger the Shed, the Costlier the Installation Service!

The size of the shed significantly impacts the cost of installation. Larger sheds, while effective in serving their purpose, can be more expensive to install. Sheds are available in sizes up to over 20 square meters in the market. The larger the shed, the more time and resources are required for installation.

While a single assembler can handle small sheds up to 5 square meters, larger garden sheds require additional hands, which can increase costs. Additionally, weather conditions are an important consideration. During installation, a single installer may use wooden planks to support the shed's sides. In strong winds, this becomes challenging and may necessitate extra hands to prevent damage to the partially completed structure.

Large garden shed structure supported with wooden planks

Moreover, larger sheds take more time to install, potentially requiring multiple visits from assemblers to complete the job. Experienced assemblers take these factors into account when providing quotes, which could come as a surprise to some customers.

Condition of the Shed

Used sheds typically incur higher assembly charges

Hold on, if you've just managed to snag a lucrative deal on a used garden shed, you might be doubling your problems. Why?

Firstly, disassembling an old shed incurs a cost.
Secondly, moving the shed on a trailer or truck adds to the expense.
Thirdly, if the manual is missing, the installer must figure things out themselves, consuming more time and adding to the cost.
Additionally, the previous installer might have made mistakes during installation, resulting in unnecessary holes that need to be filled, leading to more time and cost.
Lastly, there's the risk of structural damage during disassembly and moving.

Even a seasoned shed installer might ponder how to piece together the jigsaw puzzle shown in the image below:

Used shed without a user manual are harder to assemble

Read further to understand the factors:

New sheds typically come with unassembled sheets and a kit containing all the necessary materials for putting it together. This kit includes rivets, screws, and easy-to-follow instructions. To get the job done properly, the assembler will need tools like drills, a riveter, screwdrivers, and a leveller. The detailed instructions manual can be helpful if the installer encounters any difficulties.

On the other hand, relocating and reassembling used sheds can be tricky. Usually, they need to be taken apart, moved, and then put back together at the new spot. This often means the shed sheets already have holes, which can make assembly more complicated. You'll also have to pay for the disassembly and moving, which adds to the overall cost and time needed for the project.

If you've bought an old shed, the assembly cost can vary based on other factors too. Some parts may be damaged or unusable, which means you might need to spend more on installation. It's recommended to use new screws when putting together an old shed. Plus, if someone else took it apart, it might be harder to assemble again because most of the wall sheets look similar, and the holes might not line up correctly.

Overall, whether you've bought a used shed or are moving an existing one, it could end up costing you more than expected.

Shed Base Construction

The flatter the area for installation, the cheaper the base construction

Whether your shed needs a base depends on where it will be installed. It's crucial to talk to the assembler beforehand to understand any challenges. If the shed will be situated in an area prone to extreme weather events such as rain, strong winds, and storms, it's important to secure it to the ground. This can be done using treated timber pegs to anchor it during such weather events. The number of pegs required depends on the size of the shed.

If the shed will be placed on concrete, it should be secured using L brackets and screws to anchor it to the ground. The number of brackets and screws needed will be determined during the installation process, taking into account the size of the shed and its exposure to weather events.

If the chosen location is not level, it's essential to level it before starting the project. Ideally, you should choose a space that is already level. However, if there's no other option, levelling the ground is a must before beginning the installation. But, since, levelling is not always an option, there comes the requirement to prepare a base for the shed.

You can see in the image below the base preparation for a large shed on a sloppy ground.

Check the image below to understand how a shed base is prepared on sloped ground.

Shed base construction on a sloped ground

Furthermore, the decision on the shed's location should take into account what will be underneath it. Soft soil grounds are not advisable as they tend to compress over time. It's better to use gravel mixed with sand as a base under the shed. However, creating a base can be tricky depending on the slope of the ground. In some cases, the assembler may recommend having a base made by a professional landscaper or builder. Once the base is ready, the assembler can begin the project.

Shed base preparation can easily increase the overall assembly cost by a few hundred dollars.

Shed Floor Installation

A Shed floor differs from the base

Kitset sheds often offer floor kits as an option, which can be installed to serve their purpose effectively. Considering floors helps keep your shed neat and tidy. While these floor kits are designed to fit the size of your garden shed, sometimes adjustments to the wooden planks may be necessary for proper installation. It's important to note that adding a floor to the shed assembly will also increase the installation cost.

Shed floor installation — *Source*: *Shed and Shelters NZ*

Type of the shed

Different brands cost different assembly charges.

There are different types of sheds available in the market. Every shed is different and so does its assembly or installation cost. Some sheds take more time and effort as compared to others during installation. Here is a list of a few for you:

Galvanized Steel Sheds

Most popular in New Zealand due to its various sizes and affordability. Easily available and easy to assemble. These sheds use galvanized steel sheets for the walls and roof. These sheds come in kitset. The assembler connects the sheets using rivets or screws in the assembly process. Rivets or screws are provided in the kitset. These sheds come with wooden floor kits. The assembler may need to cut one or more wooden pailing to fit it inside the assembled shed.

To name a few suppliers:

Galvanized steel garden sheds — *Source:* *https://www.bunnings.co.nz/*

Wooden sheds

These sheds are sturdy and require expertise to install. Constructing these sheds is akin to building a granny cottage. Despite their durability, wooden sheds are less popular due to their hefty price tag. They typically come as a kitset, with wooden pailings provided for the walls and roof.

Installing these sheds requires someone with building expertise, as incorrect installation poses a safety hazard.

To name a few brands:

Timber garden sheds are costlier to assemble — *Source: Gubba Garden Sheds*

Resin-coated steel sheds

These are relatively new to the NZ market and are gaining popularity because of their clean finish and rustproof design. They are easy to assemble and come with full installation instructions.