Garden & outdoors
Garden shed cost calculator
Most garden sheds arrive flat-packed and assemble with a drill and a helper in a day. The base you put them on matters more than the shed itself, since a poor base means doors that stick and a floor that rots.
- Full DIY
- £1,470
- Smart Hybrid
- £1,470
- Full Trade
- £2,070
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
Answer a few questions and watch the numbers move. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Smart Hybrid saves £600 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£1,470
- Materials
- £1,421
- Labour
- £0
- Extras
- £50
- You take on: prepare and lay the base, assemble the shed (two people), treat the timber.
- Everything else stays with a trade.
- Most sheds are permitted development, but limits apply: under 2.5 m high if within 2 m of a boundary, and not in front of the house.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Fitting
- Prepare and lay the baseYou · ~1 day
- Assemble the shed (two people)You · ~1.08 days
- 2
Finishing touches
- Treat the timberYou · ~0.5 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Garden shed£1,1002.4 × 1.8 m = 4.32 m² of floor
- Base: paving slabs£845.2 m² base + 10% for cuts
- Base: sub-base£1405.2 m² at 100 mm
- Base: sharp sand£655.2 m² at 40 mm
- Timber treatment£3216.8 m² of walls × 2 coats, about 35 m² per tin
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Shed size and quality
Overlap panels are cheap. Tongue-and-groove, thicker timber and metal or plastic sheds cost more and last longer.
- 2
The base
A concrete slab, paving slabs on a compacted base, or a timber frame on a plastic grid all differ in price and durability.
- 3
Delivery
Large sheds often have a delivery charge and may need access for a vehicle.
- 4
Roof and treatment
Felt, shingles or an upgraded roof, and timber treatment, add cost.
- 5
Assembly
A fitted shed costs more but takes the strain out of putting it together.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- Preparing the base
- Assembling the shed with a helper
- Felting the roof
- Treating the timber
Leave to a pro
- Pouring a large concrete base
- Larger garden rooms with electrics or insulation
- Anything that needs planning permission
The rules
Most sheds are permitted development. Limits apply: under 2.5m high if within 2m of a boundary, no more than 50% of your garden covered by outbuildings, and not in front of the house. Listed buildings and some areas have extra rules.
DIY guide
How to build and install a shed, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Cordless drill and driver
- Spirit level
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Step ladder
- Spade and rake
Materials
- Shed kit
- Base materials (slabs, hardcore, sand or a plastic grid)
- Roof felt and clout nails
- Timber treatment
- Anchor fixings
- 1
Check the rules and choose the spot
~0.5 daysPick a level site with good access and drainage, away from overhanging trees. Check the height and boundary limits, and leave room to treat the sides later.
- 2
Prepare a flat, firm base
~1.5 daysMark out the base slightly larger than the shed floor. Excavate, lay and compact a hardcore sub-base, then build the base: paving slabs on a sand bed, a concrete slab, or a timber or plastic grid frame.
Tip: Check across the base with a long level. Even a small slope will make the doors bind.
- 3
Unpack and check the kit
~0.25 daysLay out every part and check against the instructions, treat the timber if it has not been pre-treated, and read the assembly steps before you start.
- 4
Build the floor and walls
~0.5 daysFit the floor frame on the base and assemble the walls panel by panel, screwing or nailing them together and checking square as you go. A helper makes this much easier.
- 5
Fit the roof
~0.5 daysFix the roof frame and boards, lay roofing felt from the bottom upward with overlaps, and secure it with clout nails. Fit the fascia and any guttering.
- 6
Fit the door and windows
~0.5 daysHang the door, fit the windows and glazing, and add hinges, a latch and a lock. Adjust until the door swings and closes cleanly.
- 7
Treat the timber and secure the shed
~0.5 daysApply a coat of timber preservative to the outside and, if you want it, inside. Fit a good lock and anchor the shed if it is in an exposed spot.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Building on an uneven or soft base
- Skipping a damp-proof layer, so the floor rots
- Not leaving gaps around the shed for airflow and treatment
- Fitting felt the wrong way so water runs underneath
- Not checking the boundary and height rules
Frequently asked questions
How much does a garden shed cost?
For a typical 8 × 6 ft tongue-and-groove shed on a paving-slab base, expect from around £1,470 putting it up yourself to £2,070 with it built for you. Larger, thicker-timber sheds cost considerably more.
Do I need planning permission for a shed?
Most garden sheds are permitted development. Limits apply: the shed must be under 2.5 m high if within 2 m of a boundary, it cannot be in front of the house, and outbuildings cannot cover more than half your garden. Listed buildings and conservation areas have extra rules.
What base does a shed need?
A flat, firm, well-drained base slightly larger than the shed. Options are paving slabs on a compacted base, a poured concrete slab, or a plastic base grid. A poor base leads to sticking doors and a rotten floor.
Can I build a shed myself?
Yes. Most sheds arrive flat-packed and take a day or two with a drill and a helper. The base is the real job, so give it time. Two people are needed to lift roof and wall panels safely.
How long does a garden shed last?
A well-built timber shed on a good base, treated every year or two, can last ten to twenty years. Thin overlap sheds on a poor base may last far less.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.