How hard to put a shed together?

quietheart

I've managed 3 years on my allotment without a shed. I have small lock up there so can keep tools but my shed envy grows each year.
DH is not a handyman and I am doubtful about what we would knock up if we pick up a shed from Wilkos.
Would it be worth paying extra to have it delivered and put up?
It'll take me longer to save but I imagine I'll have a leaky shed if us numpties do it!:o

aliasojo

The shed itself will be relatively easy to erect, it will be the base that might give you some hassle.

You need a level firm base to sit it on and it can be a pain getting ground completely level.

You either need a slabbed base or some strong treated timber bearers. The shed can't just sit on the ground. (Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know.)

Once you've got the base sorted, the 4 sides will just screw or bolt together. The roof comes in 2 parts and isn't hugely difficult.

Might some of the other allotment holders give you a hand if you get stuck?

osian

Had a plastic keter type one last year, my DH put it up by himself in about 2 hours. He's not particularly a good handyman.

Was fairly straightforward and ground was flattish but not perfect, it's fine and doesnt leak.

tim_n

I would suggest 6 paving slabs if it's a 6x4 or 8 if bigger! and a bag or two of sharp sand to bed them on. Level the area as best you can with a spade, then layer sharp sand and slabs. Add/remove sand to level as best you can and put the base of the shed on top.

Make sure you've got a good well powered electric screwdriver/drill as you'll have a lot of screws to put in. This bit is easy!

The roof is a bit more difficult. Most cheap kits just come with cheap felt you tack on (easy) but doesn't last for ever - handy to have a ladder/steps at this point.

All in all, allow a day, have a couple of friends help - it's difficult/impossible to do on your own!

quietheart

We're having our garden done soon so will have old slabs so that's handy.
The roofs do look a bit rubbish on the cheaper sheds. Might be worth saving a little longer and going for a better build.
Thanks for the advice and pointers, very helpful!

tim_n

to tart up a cheap roof, just stick it down with bitumen roof tar and stick it down.

My 6x4 was from Focus and was £99. We've treated it twice and only had to reroof it when I left my allotment and had to cut it off. We did nothing apart from nail it down. It's in better condition now than when we bought it. We're about to convert it into a chicken shed.

jammy_dodger

i agree with above putting it together is fine only i wish i had heeded advice and did a proper base as my potting shed is er slightly wonky looks like a sinkin ship, kids want a jolly roger flag on it

, its " bedded in" as it has had decking bult a round it ( professionally done ) so only now i realise how wonky it is with spirit level decking boards around it but i have learned to live with it as nowt i can do

ship ahoy

Joan49

Just put up my shed last week. I'd agree with everyone above, the base is really important. A few years ago when i first got my plot we put up a cheap 6x4, it's still standing but it is very lopsided as the base was not very firm. I've just retired so I've treated myself with a 6x8 better quality shed as i spend a lot of time on the allotment. Managed to find someone to deliver it to the allotment. Myself and my hubby managed to put the shed up in a couple of hours. Make sure you get one that bolts together, they are so quick to put up. The roof felt took the longest to get right. A small pair of ladders help.

matt987106

I prefere to see the shed base as 4 ( or 6 ) pallets
That was the air can circulate around the shed easy enough
if the pallets stick out, you can leave the bit that sticks out and put some decking on it

Davesnave

Not so many sheds bolt together these days, so don't worry too much about that. Shiplap is better than overlap, and galvanised fittings are a sign that the shed hasn't been put together from the cheapest components. I agree that sticking the roof on with bitumastic as well as nailing it is worthwhile too.

Whatever you do, don't buy any shed unseen from the internet. A local maker may offer you more choice about things like where the windows & door goes, what grade of felt you receive etc. My guy even adds features like chicken pop holes at nominal cost.

The base is the most important aspect of construction. Personally, I put my sheds on tanalised wood bearers, supported by concrete pads, but that's only one way of getting it level.

cubegame

The far and away best form of base now is plastic driveway grid. It's cheap, strong, very easy to carry and simple to level. Around the margins of the shed you simply fill with shingle for a nice finish.