Frequently asked questions
Garden sheds and summerhouses are considered to be outbuildings, which are permitted development. This allows you to put an outbuilding in your garden right up to the fence, providing you follow these guidelines. Building height to be 2.5m max Behind the front line of your house (i.e. side or back garden)
Not to cover half the garden.
You can build taller sheds providing you are 2m from your boundary.
WHEN DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?
Planning permission will be required if you build inn the front garden
If you are in AONB or grounds of a listed building. You are in a garden flat
You wish to build taller than 2.5m close to the boundary
Like everything that is built to last - it needs a good foundation.
We would suggest paving slabs for the smaller buildings and concrete for the larger buildings, to get the best out of your shed or summerhouse. We can help out with that if needed.
Providing it it flat and level, you could simply put on hardcore or sleepers providing they are level, especially if you add a DPM (damp proof membrane) to keep to moisture coming up from underneath. It's not ideal, but it's a good way to save money - however on a long term basis it won't be as good as paving slabs or concrete.
It's important to have a level base, as this will ensure your doors open correctly, otherwise you may need to pack the building underneath the floor at a later date.
The customer would do the base either as a DIY project, or using a local tradesman.
You could try www.mybuilder.com
Step 1. Select groundworks from the dropdown menu
Step 2. Choose Foundations for a structure to be built
Step 3. Choose Outbuilding or Garage
Step 4. Add the description…
‘Install a paving slab base for a garden shed to the size of   m wide x    m deep
Base to be flat & level with smooth finish to a tolerance of 5mm.
Step 5. Give your job a title – Garden Shed Base
Step 6. Add your postcode
Step 7. Add your email address
Step 8. Fill in the details and submit.
Warwickshire – Langford Builders – 07739 695442 – Langford Builders
Coventry – Paul Oliver – 07778 215889
Wellesbourne / Stratford – Landscapes Unlimited – 07818 063888 - Landscapes-unlimited.co.uk
Banbury – G & A Construction (My Builder contact)
Rugby – Peter Young – 07836 546089
Rugby – CFW Groundwork Ltd (My Builder contact) – 07960 3810708
Leicestershire – Scott McCue – 07916 138164
Leicestershire – Adrian Henson – 07858 459221
Redditch – Worcs (25 mile radius) – Matthew Phillips Engineering ltd – 07920 442871
Roebuck Building Company – Stratford on Avon | Leamington Spa – 07967 601153 – https://www.roebuckbuildingcompany.co.uk/
Kenilworth Area – Grahame Barham Davies. Tel: 07889 906999
Moreton in Marsh – Robert Power – 07590 836219
SOUTH
Northampton – Alan Muxlow – 07970 87598
London – Jonathan Stollar – 07963 664951
Hampshire / Dorset – Jim Parker – 07746 196343
Milton Keynes – Frosts Landscapes – 0845 021 9001
Hemel Hempstead – Urban Diggers – 07846 430927
London – Layzall Architects – 07709 123876
London – City Innovations – 0208 874 1565
Surrey / Berkshire / Hampshire – Tony Cleeve – 07775 900063 – 01344 563042
Buckinghamshire – Hertfordshire – North London – Mike Harrison, +44 7778 978534 – the base was superb from this provider
Bishops Stortford | Royston – Mike Clayton-Smith – CCS Landscapes – 07967720158 – garden and base excellent
Bedford / Milton Keynes – Benchmark Construction – Rob Mason – 07931815758
We expect the shed to last at least 10 years, however with regular maintenance and a bi-annual treatment, we know of our sheds that have lasted up to 20 years, and are still going strong.
To maximise the lifespan of your building, you might want to
Start with a concrete or paving slab base
Upgrade the roofing material
Paint the building every couple of years
Standard bearers are 2"x2" (47mm x 47mm) tanalised timber joists, spaced at 15" (380mm) centres. These provide a strong foundation and a suitable air flow under your building. If you wish to upgrade to 3"x2" bearers, this will add more support to the floor of your building making it more durable for years to come. The upgrade cost is priced in the options for each building.
The standard roofing felt is a black mineral felt, with a polyester base. This is far superior than either a standard shed felt or slaters felt, which are paper thin or sand based. The polyester based felt is much more durable and resistant to the elements, and designed to expand and contract throughout the seasons without failing.
Standard heights are as follows:
Pent Sheds - Lowest Point Internal Height = 6ft External Height = 6ft 7ins External Height
Highest Point Internal Height = 6ft 9ins External Height = 7ft 4ins External Height
Apex Sheds - Standard Eaves Height = 6' High Apex Point Internal Height = 6ft 7ins for 4' - 8' Gable Ends = 7ft 2ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft for 9' Gable Ends = 7ft 7ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 2ins for 11' Gable Ends = 7ft 9ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 7ins for 12' Gable Ends = 8ft 2ins External Height
Note that 8ft 2ins = 2490mm high
Warwick Sheds - Standard Eaves Height = 6ft High Apex Point Internal Height = 6ft 7ins for 7' & 8' Gable Ends = 7ft 2ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft for 9' Gable Ends = 7ft 7ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 2ins for 11' Gable Ends = 7ft 9ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 7ins for 12' Gable Ends = 8ft 2ins External Height
Note that 8ft 2ins = 2490mm high
Denham Sheds - Eaves Height = 5ft 9ins Apex Point Internal Height = 6ft 5ins and 7ft External Height
Barnby Workshops - Standard Eaves Height = 6ft 5ins Apex Point Internal Height = 6ft 11ins for 5' Gable Ends = 7ft 6ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 1ins for 6' - 8' Gable Ends = 7ft 8ins External Height
Apex Point Internal Height = 7ft 7ins for 9' - 12' Gable Ends = 8ft 2ins External Height
Note that 8ft 2ins = 2490mm high
The cladding on the garden sheds is a shiplap that is treated with a spirit based preservative. The wood itself is a redwood from Scandinavia - meaning that it is slow grown, and has tighter growth rings than white wood. The tighter growth rings mean the more timber is less subjective to expansion and contraction as there is less spongy material to absorb the moisture in the air.
The cladding itself is as follows:
Apex Sheds: Tongue & Groove (Ex 15mm) 12mm finish
Pent Sheds: Tongue & Groove (Ex 15mm) 12mm finish
Woodford Sheds: Tongue & Groove (Ex 15mm) 12mm finish
Barnwell Sheds: Heavy Duty Shiplap (Ex19mm) 15mm finish
Classic Windows are available in the following formats:
Single Window either Fixed or Open (Top Hung)
Double Window - One Fixed and One Top Hung Opener
Triple Windows - Two Fixed and One Top Hung Opener
Quad Window - Three Fixed and One Top Hung Opener
See the building specifications for the amount of windows included with each size
Additional windows can be purchased if required.
Georgian Windows are available in the following formats
2 Pane Fixed
4 Pane Fixed
4 Pane Top Opening Window (optional extra)
Combinations of 2 and 4 pane windows are placed together to create 6 pane, 8 pane, 10 pane and 12 pane versions - for each specific building.
The buildings can all be painted prior to delivery, however you would need to choose a colour from the Sadolin extra range.
You can either paint all of the building including the doors and windows in one colour, or you could have a contrast colour on the doors and windows.
You could also just paint the doors and windows only, leaving the rest of the shed in the standard dipped coloured treatment.
Please note that the painting is only to the external walls.
Yes that is possible.
For example, a building with a covered veranda, or a summerhouse with a partition and a shed door are all possible, even if they aren't listed on our website.
The buildings are built to order from scratch, so if you need something specific please send us a sketch of the building you are looking to have, so we can provide a detailed quote for you.