9 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Shed or Garage

The ability to shop online has made purchasing a backyard shed or garage an easy process, but it also has the ability to cause problems without proper thought. Once upon a time you would make a trip to your local shed dealer or have someone come to your home to discuss your needs, and while you can still do this, many choose the much simpler option of simply buying over the Internet. This can save you time, money, and can open up a wider range of shed and garage options. But whether you’re ordering online, there are common mistakes you should look out for. These include:

1. Failing to consider council building laws

Before you even start shopping for a shed or garage, it’s important to consult your local council about building restrictions. Restrictions vary, and you may or may not need to acquire planning approval before building your structure. The good news is that councils throughout Australia are relaxing their requirements for building permits, and most small garden sheds do not require a permit. Still, it’s always best to check.

2. Focusing on the cheapest price

Looking for the best price is important when shopping for a garden shed or garage, but it shouldn’t be your primary focus. Instead first look for the shed that best suits your requirements, and then shop around for a good price. Remember that the cheapest price sometimes means more headache for you, so look at the whole package: how smoothly the project will run, materials used, strength, durability, maintenance, and storage capacity.

3. Failing to consider Australia’s climate

A shed or garage is a big investment, so you want to be sure it will stand the test of time. Buying the wrong type of material could mean extra maintenance and a shorter life of your shed. If you want a long-lasting shed that requires very little maintenance, look for high quality steel especially developed to handle Australia’s weather conditions.

4. Underestimating your storage needs

Always make a list of the tools and equipment you will be storing in your shed or garage to ensure you can fit everything in. Far too often, people buy a shed that’s the wrong size. Remember that your list is likely to grow over the years too, especially if you’re a regular tinker. With this in mind, you should aim for a shed or garage slightly larger than what you currently need, or shop for a shed or garage that can later be extended on.

5. Importing from overseas

Suppliers and shoppers all over the world pay premium prices for Australian made sheds as they are considered to be the finest quality available. Overseas manufacturers are continually trying to copy the offerings by Australian manufacturers, but remain years behind in terms of quality and price. The bottom line is this: ordering from an overseas supplier at a cheap price often means an inferior product that is likely to leak or blow away on the first sign of wind. Choose Aussie!

6. Choosing the wrong location

Where you house your garage or shed is crucial if you want to get the best use out of it. You should consider safety first and foremost, convenience second, and aesthetics and light last. Your shed should be somewhere you have easy access to, and a place where you can safely enter in and out with tools. You should aim for a location that offers enough natural light to see in your shed, but not too much light that it will forever feel like you’re working in an oven. It should be tucked away if you don’t want it as a feature in your garden, or presented proudly if it’s to add to the appearance of your garden.

7. Not customising your shed

When buying your shed or garage, it’s not always a case of what you see is what you get. There are so many options to customise your sheds and garages these days, so why not ask? Customisable options include things like windows, cladding, doors and roof pitch.

8. Not considering storage

While making an inventory of your tools can help in choosing the right shed, it’s also important to consider how you are going to store your tools. If you’re an ‘out-of-sight/out-of-mind’ style person, you may want to consider hanging options that allow you to display your tools instead of hide them away. If this is the case, you’ll need extra wall space. If you’re okay with clutter, storage cupboards could be the cheaper way to go.

9. Not considering installation

If you plan on installing your garage or shed yourself, you need to ensure that your chosen product is structurally well designed and easy to install. If you don’t trust your DIY abilities, however, always look for a company with exceptional customer service and a high quality installation crew, like the crew over at Titan Garages and Sheds.