Thinking of having a shed added to your property? In this guide, we’ll look at the average costs involved in having different types of sheds installed.
in this article
We’ll also explore a range of shed cost-related subjects including cost-saving tips, the potential pricing for additional features and customisation, and much more. Let’s dive in!
Shed Material Costs
One of the key cost components of a shed installation is, of course, the price of the materials (a.k.a. supply only costs).
If you were to install a shed by yourself (assuming the specific shed in question is a DIY-friendly build), the material costs may be the only cost you’ll face. On the other hand, when hiring a professional, this would at least contain the price of labour and supply only costs.
While approaching this work DIY, could save you a good bit of money, you should still only build a shed DIY if you’re absolutely sure of what’s involved, the particular shed build in question is suitable for you to construct by yourself and you follow the manufacturer’s instructions very carefully. Also, make sure to follow any necessary safety precautions.
Without further ado, we’ll now take a look at the supply only costs for a shed based on different types/materials used.
Wooden Sheds
Average Cost: £200 to £2,000
Specific costs by type of wooden shed:
- Cedar: £600 to £4,000
- Softwood: £200 to £2,000
- Hardwood: £200 to £2,500
- Pressure-Treated Wood: £300 to £2,900
Starting with timber-based sheds, the average cost usually lands around £200 to £2,000 (although many premium options exist in the range of £2,000 to £6,000 and more in some rare cases).
Of course, as applies to any of the materials discussed in this section, the larger the wooden shed, the more it is likely to cost regardless of the specific type of wooden shed.
In terms of the key advantages of timber sheds, they can provide a traditional look and are good at keeping the heat in. The latter benefit can prove helpful for those seeking to store many items in their shed. However, you’ll still want to verify that the specific wooden shed you’ve opted for is a solid option from an insulation point of view.
On the other hand, wooden sheds require more maintenance than most types of sheds. They are also susceptible to rotting and damage caused by pests. As a result, wooden sheds generally don’t last as long as other options. Also, wooden sheds come with a greater fire hazard/risk than other options.
Metal Sheds
Average Cost: £300 to £1,500
Specific costs by type of metallic shed:
- Steel: £300 to £1,500
- Aluminium: £300 to £1,000
Moving on to metallic sheds, two of the most common types are steel and aluminium sheds. You might want to opt for a metal shed due to the strength (and therefore security, particularly with a good locking system) it can offer.
What’s more, metal sheds in general do not need maintenance as often and tend to last somewhat longer than timber sheds on average (though that does depend a lot on how well maintained the shed is).
Furthermore, in many cases, metal sheds will not be much dearer (if at all) than wooden sheds.
Among the downsides of metal sheds include the fact that rust can appear over time which must be treated in the right way (and safely, of course) and their aesthetic. As for the appearance, some may not mind, while others will find metallic sheds unsightly when compared with a wooden shed.
Brick Sheds
Average Cost: £1,500 to £4,500
Brick sheds represent another choice known for their durability. What’s more, brick sheds come in a range of design choices. Brick sheds tend to be relatively low-maintenance too.
However, as shown above, the average brick shed cost is relatively high. What’s more, brick sheds usually require a custom build by a professional (more on custom-builds in general shortly).
Plastic and Resin Sheds
Average Cost: £400 to £1,000
Specific costs by type of metallic shed:
- Plastic: £400 to £1,000
- Resin: £500 to £1,200
Next, we have plastic and resin sheds. To clarify, resin sheds are a type of plastic shed but we’re distinguishing them here a little (including for the pricing listed above) with resin being a standout type of plastic shed.
Among the pros of plastic sheds are their relatively low costs (on average) and low levels of maintenance. There are also many designs and colours of plastic sheds available on the market.
They are also relatively easy to build and therefore are more likely to be suitable for a DIY fitting, although again this still depends on your skills and knowledge (including safety knowledge/awareness).
Also, if you were to opt for a resin shed in particular, this option will usually provide even more durability than the average plastic shed. That is, however, often for a higher cost.
With that said, in general, while plastic sheds can be low maintenance, they lack the strength of some other options. Therefore, plastic sheds could give way and break or experience damage during a storm where another option (e.g. steel shed) may not be phased. Also, of course, plastic sheds won’t be everyone’s cup of tea from an aesthetics point of view.
Custom Built Sheds
Average Cost: £450 to £10,000
Lastly, if you have the budget, you may want to go with a bespoke shed. Of course, custom-built sheds cost quite a bit more than most sheds.
The price can range quite widely and depend on a host of factors such as the size of the bespoke shed, the materials used and the nature and complexity of the design.
While custom-built sheds can offer a ton of advantages such as getting the perfect aesthetic, design and size of the shed you’re after. Though, of course this option tends to be expensive (often many thousands of pounds in total) and it might take some time to find the right company for you from your area.
Installation Costs
So, how much does a new shed cost in total? When it comes to having a professional install a garden shed, the average cost (broadly speaking, regardless of the type) will be around £700 to £2,500 in total. This cost factors in the price of labour and supply only costs.
So, while the supply only costs will end up around £500 to £2,000 (again as a broad average), the price of labour will likely land somewhere between £200 and £500.
Therefore, around £200 to £500 is what you might save if taking a DIY approach, although as discussed, you should do it DIY if suitable. Now, without further ado, let’s look at all you need to know about installation costs.
Kit Sheds Vs Custom Installation
One option for many households go with for a new shed setup is that of a pre-fab kit shed. Not only are these generally more suited to DIYers to fit themselves but tend to be somewhat more affordable than your average shed build.
Also, as you’d expected, kit sheds are generally significantly cheaper than custom installations and that is regardless of whether you were to hire a professional or not for your kit shed (while a custom-built shed ought to be done by a professional).
Here are some average costs to put these options into perspective (labour and supply costs combined):
- Pre-fabricated Kit Shed - £300 to £2,500
- Average Shed Setup - £700 to £2,500
- Custom-Built Shed - £650 to £11,000
Labour Costs
As mentioned, the average price of labour for a garden shed installation is likely to land around £200 to £500, however in practice, the actual labour cost for your project would depend on a range of factors.
For one, the price of labour (in general) varies across the UK. For example, labour prices are usually high in the southeast of England but below average in other areas like Scotland.
Along with that, the price of labour will vary depending on the size and type of shed being installed (e.g. metallic sheds are usually quicker and easier to fit than wooden sheds).
Ultimately, when it comes to hiring a professional, it is advisable to get quotes from several shed installers in your area before deciding who to go with based on who you feel offers the best value for money.
Foundation and Base Preparation
Note: If unsure as to whether or not the shed you wish to have built requires a foundation and base, you should consult with a professional for clarity. Factors like the type and size of the shed can influence whether or not a foundation and base are needed.
In some cases, a foundation and base will be needed to secure the shed in place and help it survive longer and in a safe manner. Let’s discuss the likely costs that would apply depending on the base/foundation. The costs given below include the price of labour and supply only costs.
Concrete Base
Note: A foundation or/and base really should be dealt with by a professional.
Firstly, a concrete base (often the result of pouring concrete) is a broad way of covering a range of concrete foundations for a garden shed.
And while concrete slabs (more on that in the next subsection) can be premade, they are sometimes poured too. What really distinguishes concrete slabs from general concrete bases is that they are known for offering a flat, horizontal surface.
To have a concrete base added (which really ought to be done by a professional), you may need to pay somewhere in the region of £400 to £1,400 for a mid-sized shed. However, for larger sheds, the cost may end up costing around £2,000 or potentially more.
A concrete base (of any kind) is among the best and most popular options for creating a garden shed foundation give its strength and durability.
Having a good base/foundation added, whether a concrete base or otherwise can help your shed last longer and keep anyone near or in the shed safer at any given time. Again, if you’re unsure whether a base/foundation is needed, consult with a professional for 100% certainty.
Paving Slabs and Other Bases
As alluded to, a specific type of concrete foundation you may want to consider is that of a concrete paving slab.
Starting with this option, concrete paving slabs also cost somewhere around £400 to £1,400 if being poured. However, pre-made concrete slabs may cost somewhat less.
Beyond that, here are some other foundations/bases you might want to consider (along with their estimated costs):
- Gravel Pad with Timber Perimeter - £250 to £750
- Concrete Paver - £200 to £600
While a concrete slab or pavers come with the same sort of benefits as a concrete base in general (i.e. strength, durability etc.), the option of a gravel pad with timber frame can come with its own upsides.
Gravel pad, which consists of crushed stone, is a great choice for draining water from underneath your shed. What’s more, as shown above, opting for a gravel pad along with a timber perimeter/frame would likely be cheaper than the average concrete base option.
Additional Features and Customisation
Another cost subject to consider is the price of any additional features or customisations that may be needed.
Windows and Doors
Firstly, there is a range of door types and windows you may be interested in, each (generally) coming with noticeably different price estimates.
Naturally, having windows included with a shed installation can bring up the total cost. Beyond that, the level of glazing featured with the windows will matter too. On average, a given shed window is likely to cost £10 to £50 plus any applicable labour costs.
Also, when it comes to doors, while most sheds have a single entry-point, some households may prefer one with double doors (if suitable and feasible for their specific type of garden shed). Of course, as you’d expect, double doors will generally cost more than single doors.
The average price of a shed door (and this would also be relevant if you needed to have it replaced in the future) is around £50 to £100 plus any labour costs, if applicable.
Insulation and Interior Lining
Note: Interior lining is a type of insulation, but other forms of shed insulation exist too.
Adding insulation to your shed can provide additional functionality. Otherwise, on cold days or nights, it would be intolerable to utilise in ways you might want to go (e.g. as a workshop or home office).
Here is the average cost of different types of insulation for a garden shed (you’d need to also consider the price of labour in addition, assuming the installer charges more for this part of the job):
- Foil-backed Insulation - £300 to £850
- Insulation boards - £100 to £400
- Fibreglass insulation - £100 to £300
- Bubble wrap insulation - £200 to £600
For interior lining specifically (and in general), the cost can range depending on the type of insulation you opt for (e.g. plywood, drywall, MDF, etc.). Interior lining may cost about £100 to £400 depending on the type and size of shed you have.
Roofing Options
Note: Again, for this subsection we are focused on supply only costs since the price of labour will be determined by how the installer bills and thus may or may not influence the price of labour. Also, the price of the roof will be part of the total materials cost, but the type may influence the total supply only by increasing it or lowering it.
Another consideration is the type of roof you might want for your garden shed. This can mean the type of design, material used or both.
Obviously, many options come with a roof provided, however, if hiring a professional to build something more custom this section will be particularly relevant. That said, you may still want to consider the roof type offered with a given garden shed before deciding what one to go with too.
Here is the average cost of different types of roofs in terms of the material used:
- Fibreglass - £1,100 to £1,300
- Felt Roof - £2,000 to £2,500
- Clay Roof - £4,200 to £4,600
- EPDM Rubber Roof - £1,000 to £1,500
- Sheet Metal Roof - £1,500 to £1,700
As for the shed roof design, a flat roof is one of, if not the most affordable option and is relatively easy to install. So, a flat roof can be a good choice in the short-term but may not last as long so may not necessarily be the best choice in the long-term.
On the other end of the spectrum, pyramid style roofs are usually relatively expensive, whereas slanted and dual pitched roofs often fall somewhere in the mid-price range.
Maintenance and Upkeep Costs
When thinking of the cost of a shed, it’s easy to focus purely on the upfront cost. However, over time, you’ll also want to consider maintenance and upkeep costs.
In this section, we’ll look at the estimated costs of wooden sheds specifically and then the average maintenance costs and estimated longevity of various types of sheds in general.
Wooden Shed Maintenance
Wooden garden sheds are susceptible to a range of issues over time, therefore, it’s important to maintain them properly. This can be done by a professional or DIY if carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions and taking any necessary safety steps.
Firstly, it’s a good idea to stain your garden shed every 3 to 5 years or more often if deemed necessary. This will help it endure the elements well and last longer. This would cost about £10 to £20 in supply costs for a DIY job or a total (so materials and labour costs) of £60 to £170 should you want to hire a professional.
Beyond that, your wooden shed should be repainted about every five years or more often if required. A DIY job (with supply only costs) will likely be around £20 to £50 or £200 to £400 to have it repainted by a professional.
Another common form of maintenance is to have sections of your wooden shed repaired or replaced, whether because some section(s) are broken or damaged by rot. In this scenario, hire a professional. You may be looking at an overall cost of £200 to £500 depending on the nature and scale of the damage. In some cases, it could end up less or more than the range listed above.
Long-Term Durability
Note: The below maintenance costs figures are estimates of how much you may end up spending on maintenance/repair work before having your shed replaced. Also, if unsure as to whether or not any given type of maintenance is DIY-friendly, check with the manufacturer or a professional.
Here is the average maintenance costs and estimated longevity for various types of sheds (based on the materials used):
| Type of Shed | Average Total Maintenance Costs Per 5 Years (with some DIY work) * | Average Total Maintenance Costs Per 5 Years (with only the work of a professional) | Estimated Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden Shed | £100 to £850 | £350 to £1,450 | 20+ years |
| Metal Shed | £100 to £600 | £325 to £850 | 20-40+ years |
| Plastic Shed | £80 to £300 | £100 to £700 | 15-20+ years |
* As touched on, some maintenance work will be DIY friendly while other should be dealt with by a professional. Also, the cost ranges factor in the possibility that some types of maintenance will be needed while others won’t (a.k.a., your shed may only require minimal maintenance without much substantial repairs during its lifetime).
Planning Permission and Regulations
Thankfully planning permission is generally not required to have a shed built. With that said, there are exceptions to the rule, such as those in relation to the size and intended purpose/use for the shed.
Since rules can differ depending on where you live in the UK, you should contact your local council if you’re unsure as to whether your specific shed will necessitate planning permission.
Should planning permission be required, you may need to pay somewhere in the region of £150 to £250. Please be aware that planning approval may take up to eight weeks so if it’s needed, you’ll want to get it on fast enough (while ensuring you complete the application 100% correctly) to avoid extensive delays.
Beyond that, any shed construction must adhere to building regulations. A professional will know how to ensure this is the case, however, you’ll certainly want to look into this (e.g. contact your local council) for a DIY project. Where build reg fees apply, it may end up adding about £200 to £300 (or more in some cases) to your bill.
Cost-Saving Tips
When it comes to having a garden shed added to your property, you’ll want to consider what steps you can take to keep costs down (although, ideally, without sacrificing on quality).
Doing It Yourself
Of course, as already discussed, in many cases it’s perfectly okay to build a shed DIY once you know what’s involved, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a T and adhere to all safety requirements. Also, again, it won’t be suitable for a DIYer regardless in the case of certain, more complex shed installation. So, do keep all of this in mind.
A DIY approach might save you anywhere from £200 to £500 or even more in certain scenarios. That said, while this can save you money, a professional installation can guarantee a certain level of quality and if in any doubt about a DIY approach, hiring a professional is crucial to ensure a safe and sound build.
Opting For a Relatively Affordable Shed
As laid out earlier in this guide, the cost of a shed can vary significantly depending on the material.
Here are some of the most affordable shed options by material used (and the average supply only cost):
- Plastic Shed - £400 to £1,000
- Softwood - £200 to £2,000
- Aluminium - £300 to £1,000
Of course, regardless of the material used, some sheds will end up more affordable than others based on the size and the value for money offered by any given brand.
Ultimately, you’ll want to focus on what sheds offer good bang for your buck while also falling within your budget. If hiring a professional, you might want to let them know that this is the sort of shed you are looking for (along with other preferences, whether it be the material used or design aspects).
Environmental Impact
Since wood is a natural resource and does not generally require the sort of processing as would be the case for other options, wooden sheds tend to be the most eco-friendly choice.
And while wooden sheds have a similar price range to metal sheds, they do generally cost a good bit more than plastic sheds.
Beyond that, certain types of wooden sheds are more eco-friendly than others. Some good examples include bamboo and reclaimed wood.
While bamboo could end up costing more or less than your average wooden shed (depending on the supplier and other factors), sheds made with reclaimed wood are more likely to cost somewhat more than most options.
Future Trends
With time, the costs of new sheds may change for better or worse. On the one hand, as technology advances, sheds that use materials requiring plenty of processing/additional manufacturing work may become more affordable than they currently are.
On the other hand, the price of certain raw materials may increase with time. For example, climate change could have a whole host of impacts (expected and unforeseen) on a wide range of industries, in turn bringing up the cost of certain materials, ultimately leading to higher priced sheds for some or even all materials.
That said whether more advanced and efficient manufacturing can make up for this is impossible to say as we are getting into the realm of speculation. Also, other factors could come into play like government regulations. So, at this point, it’s impossible to really know what the future of the garden shed market will be like.
Sources
https://diygardening.co.uk/price-list/garden-shed-installation/
https://www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk/sheds/wooden
https://www.sheds.co.uk/garden-sheds/wooden-sheds.html
https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/wooden-sheds
https://www.laver.co.uk/blog/hardwood-vs-softwood-whats-the-difference.html
https://www.keter.com/en-us/inspiration/resin-vs-wood-vs-metal-sheds.html