Pre-Delivery Details
Site Selection
Selecting the site for a building is as important as the building itself. Be careful not to build on a water course, on
uncompacted fill or in a slip area. Also note that normal buildings are not suitable for constructing on top of mountains
or hills, at the edge of a cliff, or areas subject to snow fall. Buildings need to be specially designed for highly
exposed locations or additional loads
A good building site should be level and clear of large rocks or old stumps. Vegetation must be removed and the site
formed into a slight crest so water runs away from the construction area in all directions. It is much easier and more
economical to do this before any assembly work begins.
Consider how much access you'll need to the shed once it's up. Will you be wheeling
the mower in and out once a fortnight, or parking the bike every night? How the door is situated
may make a difference to how you orient the shed; in this case ask us about customisation options. If you
buy a shed with a hinged door, remember to allow room for it to open.
With larger buildings and sheds, it is always a good idea to arrange for a soil test of the site. This not only highlights
any unseen problems that might exist, but also helps with the design of footings. A soil test is considered mandatory for
very large or high buildings. The savings in concrete materials alone will often be two or three times the cost of a soil test.
Sheds with large openings, such as farm machinery sheds, need positioning so the openings face the North or East.
Buildings used for workshops, offices or residential should minimise or provide additional protection to glass areas on
Western walls. Roof skylights generate heat and in hot areas it is best to use them only in high buildings.
On a level block, the simplest way to make a good foundation for your shed is to pour
a concrete slab. We recommend a 100mm thickness and 200mm more than the shed
dimensions in both directions. If your block is steep, or if you have drainage or damp
problems and need the floor to be raised off the ground, a slab probably won't be
suitable. Concrete or brick piers with bearers and joists on top to support the shed
floor will be necessary. Levelling up your piers can be tricky, so unless you've used
levelling equipment, you may want to call in a tradesman at this stage.
No matter which shed you choose, successful assembly relies on a good level site and
proper substructure.
Delivery/Access Conditions
- The price quoted is on the understanding that the delivery vehicle can get within six metres of the erection position.
- Insure that the approach to your site does not restrict heavy goods vehicles. (i.e. trees, power lines etc.)
- Base must be solid and level to prevent injury to the erectors or damage to the sections.
Base Details
- A sub grade soil layer of well compared and well drained material, covered with graded sub-base of granular material, that is compacted and levelled to provide a slab of uniform thickness.
- Cover with a plastic membrane to prevent rising damp.
- The thickness of the concrete slab must be at least 100mm/4" at 35N/mm2.
- Ensure slab is 100% level and square.
- For made up ground and wet of soft ground, seek specialist advice.
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