Looking at the shed as a cost rather than an investment
Instead of looking at what the shed will cost you, think about the value that will be added to your property when you have a quality steel framed shed added to the footprint.
Try the loan calculator and see how little the repayments would be each week added to the cost of your existing loan or mortgage. Then imagine the appreciating value of your complete property and you will come to realise that the cost is not only justified but a small price to pay for the added value.
Not finding out what you can do on your property
Just because you own the land doesn’t mean you can build what you want where you want it
Make sure you check with your local council to see what is allowed before you spend too much time designing a building that may not get a permit.
Building covenants are common in new subdivisions so make sure you know the rules that apply to your neighbourhood.
If you are unsure, ask us and we are happy to offer advice
Seeking out the cheapest option
Is price important? Yes it is…. but no price is a good price if the quality has been compromised. On the surface many building systems look the same, yet when you know what to look for, they often don’t stand up to closer inspection.
For this reason we encourage everyone looking at building to inspect sheds first hand. We are happy to point out the differences between our sheds and our competitors, and the effect those differences will have on the finished building.
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that’s all.
When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.”
– John Ruskin
Not future-proofing your shed
While none of us have a crystal ball to see what the future holds, its often wise to build a little larger than what your current needs are. For example, you build a shed which just fits the boat in, then you get a bigger boat, or sell the boat and get a motor home which doesn’t fit through the door!
Unknowingly using inferior materials
While building specifications and materials used often appear similar, not all sheds are created equal. One shed builder may use 0.3 gauge cladding on their sheds, while we use 0.4 gauge. That’s 25% less steel used in the cladding alone. Sometimes the steel thickness is misrepresented by including the thickness of the paint – this is not normal accepted practice.
Consider how that affects the durability and strength of your new shed. Check carefully exactly what you are getting for your money. If it’s not stated clearly in the specifications, ask before making any commitment.
Laying the concrete slab before deciding which shed to buy
Shed designs do differ between suppliers. When the shed is designed an engineer will specify the footings required. Be patient, choose the company you want to deal with and wait for the correct slab to be specified before you start digging out the foundations.
Not knowing what you are buying
Make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Sometimes what initially appears to be a cheaper quote may not include some items that it is reasonable to expect should be part of the building. Under closer inspection you may find the cheaper one does not include items such as foil and netting in the roof (which every enclosed shed should have), or has fixed pane windows when you really want opening windows.
When it comes to a Kitset Shed Waikato Shed Company will include everything you need, whereas some other shed companies won’t include components such as gutters, downpipes, or screws. Check the quote thoroughly and if you have any doubts regarding what is and is not included then ask.
Having an opening that isn’t wide/high enough to fit your vehicle through
Check all openings are big enough. Door sizes should state the daylight opening size (DLO). Bay widths are measured from the centre of the columns. Make sure doors are as high and bays are as wide as you need them.
Not getting a ‘site specific’ design
If a site is categorised a high (or very high) wind zone by the Council, great shed design becomes crucial. Fortunately we know exactly what components need to be upgraded – right down to the roofing screws. By using overlapping purlins and girts (described elsewhere) our sheds have the strength & rigidity to withstand extreme conditions.
In some coastal locations, cladding needs to be upgraded to Coloursteel Maxx to cope with sea spray, and to get building consent. We will check with Council to see if this is the case.
Bear in mind the orientation of the building on site. Will prevailing winds make it unpleasant to work inside if roller doors are open?
Buying a screw together shed
Some companies will design their shed structures to be screwed together.
We don’t believe this offers the strength necessary for New Zealand’s often wild weather conditions so our structures are bolted for extra strength and stability.
