Below, we walk you through everything you need to know when building your steel shed.
Our step-by-step guide outlines what you can expect at each stage, and tips to make the process as smooth as possible.
If you are looking to build a steel shed, 12 metres wide or larger, then this guide is for you.
Looking to save money on your next project? Whether you are a property developer, business owner, or farm manager you can save thousands of dollars by managing the construction of your steel building yourself. You just need to put aside a little bit of time.
Many people opt to pay a commercial builder to do it. This is a good option if you are time poor and have some extra money to spend, however, most of the work is done by contractors and other tradespeople. Why not organise that yourself?
Below we outline the steps to arranging your steel shed construction. It's a simple and easy way to save money.
More than likely you have a particular shed design in mind or at least a problem that a shed can solve. An expert in shed design can point you in the right direction.
We will listen to your requirements, make suggestions and get you thinking about specific designs. This part of the process is about helping you gain an informed and clear picture of what you want.
During the consultation stage, we will endeavor to gain a deep understanding of what you want and let you know what is available out there.
The dimensions of any machinery or amount of produce you wish to store in your shed.
How do you plan to access the building?
Will you want any insulation and other options in your shed? Check out our range of custom extras here.
Are there any existing buildings that you like the look of? You can view our gallery of past products for inspiration.
We can step you through all considerations in person or over the phone. By the end of it you will have a clear idea of what you want.
If you have any questions or need help understanding terminology, we will happily provide answers and recommendations based on your requirements.
By the end of this stage, you will receive an initial quote, a free concept design of your shed, and possible inclusions and exclusion based on your needs.
This stage determines the condition of the building site. This will help determine the final design and construction of the building.
Will the building fit on the block?
Are there any local building restrictions?
What is the boundary easement on the property?
What is the council zoning? Can you actually build what you want on the block?
You can get a surveyor to do it, we can do it, or you can do it yourself.
Do you like your concept design? Are you happy with the quote? Have you completed your research and determined you can build on your block? Perfect, it's time to get some elevations and planning and nail down your final quotation.
In this stage, we go through the full design of the building with a fine-toothed comb and work out the exact requirements, measurements, and specifications needed. Everything from height and colour to the amount of bays and door locations will be covered.
This is an excellent opportunity to look at options such as insulation, ventilation, internal fit outs and mezzanine floors and how they can fit into your design.
We will go through the design with you and make sure everything is how you want it. You can choose to do it over the phone, in person, or via email. We can walk you through the whole process.
By the end of this stage, we will have nailed down the exact design of your shed. We will include the final quotation and what it covers.
In conjunction with the final design, quote, and drawings, it is always a good idea to get a soil test done.
A soil test will determine the consideration of the soil on the site. It will include the compaction rates and reactivity (whether the ground contracts and expands considerably).
While a formal test is not necessary for an engineers certificate, it is recommended. The soil test will determine what is needed regarding the shed's foundation and footings. This can include how deep the foundations should be and if long piers are needed.
To arrange this, you can contact your local geo-technician. If need be, we have a list of trusted professional that can help you with this.
If you are happy with your quote and design, your shed design will then be sent to a third party engineer for certification. This is done once you have paid the deposit.
Importance Ratings (what the building will be used for). For example, if it is a commercial workshop or shopping centre, it will have different requirements than a farm shed on a remote rural property.
During this stage, the engineer will give further feedback and recommendations. We will make the appropriate changes in our drawings before sending back for further evaluation.
Once the engineer is happy with the design, they will issue a Design Certificate or Form 15.
We will organise the third party engineer to go over your drawings; however, you will need to arrange the council inspection.
Every council has their regulations and restrictions regarding building design and development.
The council approval step can go through various stages include design approvals and checking whether your finished development complies with the regulations. This can be completed by the council planning staff of alternatively you can engage a private building certifier.
Be prepared: This stage can often involve a lot of back and forth. You can expect the occasional headache when dealing with a council.
Meet with the council planner prior to submitting your application so you can find out what your local council needs. Every council is different.
Get together all required paper work, including drawings and engineers sign-off (we will supply these).
Take your application and supporting documents to the council.
Go through the back and forth process. The council will often request more information and details.
When all questions are resolved the council will issue a building permit.
You will need to take care of your application to council, however, we can help you by providing detailed documents and advice. If council needs extra details and documentation, we will be more than happy to help you out.
Quick disclaimer: Some buildings are exempt. Make sure you check with your local council.
Once you have received council approval we start the process of converting your drawings into a shed kit. This stage involves pre-fabrication administration such as ordering materials and parts needed for the construction of your shed kit.
This is an internal job we do and usually takes 1-2 weeks before we can start manufacturing your building.
Once the required materials for your shed have arrived, we start manufacturing and arranging the parts that make up your custom shed kit.
Your shed will be painted and put together, ready to go with the shed drawings, after everything is manufactured.
This process does take time and can vary depending on the size and design of your shed. Don't worry, we will give you a lead time based on the work needed.
It is always easier to build a shed on a solid flat block. The area you want the shed will need to be level. Trees and plants will need to be removed, and excess dirt will need to be bulldozed out or piled up to make the site level.
The ground will then need to be adequately compacted. If the site is not compacted correctly, it can later erode, or the footings will need to be considerably deeper.
However, there are some circumstances where this stage will not be necessary. For example, if you are building a cattle yard cover and you already have an existing cattle yard on a slightly sloping block, we can take this into consideration when designing the shed. In this case, we can make some columns longer than the others to ensure that the roof remains flat even though the ground is sloping.
The preparing of the slope should be done to design. If the design requires the ground to be flat, then you will need to level the site. If you don't require a flat site, then this is already taken care of in the earlier design stages.
If you need to level and compact the site you will need to arrange an earth moving company. Alternatively, you can do it yourself if you have the equipment and experience.
Make sure you have five metres of flat ground around the shed site clear of debris or trees. This allows easy access for installers when erecting the shed.
Consider how you will approach and access the shed. The ground leading up to the shed will need to allow easy access to the site.
Make sure soil compaction is up to specifications (we will provide details for you).
Ensure the site is correctly retained if it is on a sloping block (we will provide details for you).
Once the shed kit has been manufactured, it is ready for delivery.
The delivery of your shed is included in our quote, however, it doesn't include unloading. We can arrange a crane for unloading, however, many people have their own equipment to unload, which is why it is an option.
You can also choose to organise delivery yourself, and we will deduct its cost from your quote.
If you are happy for us to organise delivery, we can tee up a delivery time. You will need to make sure you are there to meet the truck and have a machine to unload the trailer.
Make sure their is side access for a machine to access the truck.
Ensure the ground is not washed out due to heavy rain.
Have someone there to unload your shed when the truck arrives.
Have room for the shed once it is unloaded.
Be available to answer your phone on the day just in case the delivery driver needs directions to your site.
Check your machine can lift the load off the truck. If you plan to use your own machinery to unload, check that it can lift at least 1 tonne. Notify us of your machines lift capacity and we will let you know if it is capable of unloading the truck.
Foundations are essential for a strong and long lasting shed.
The foundation designs will be included in the final drawings based on the site conditions. If you have had a soil test done, the engineer will give a recommended footing pier size based on its findings. If you have not had a soil test done, the engineer will provide footing details based on the average subsoil conditions of your local area.
This can often be a pier (often a round, deep pier) or a pad foot (a square flatter footing).
You will need to arrange the digging of these foundations.
Our installers will mark out the hole locations for the piers. It normally works out more economical if you arrange and pay the earth moving contractor, or alternatively, use your own machine and auger to drill the pier holes in the ground.
In your kit, we will include the hold-down bolts that will be cast into the concrete foundations. With large sheds, there could be additional reinforcement required depending on the soil conditions and engineers recommendations. If any additional reinforcing is required, we will give you a price. It will be considered a variation to the original quote.
This process is conducted by a third part installation company. We use a network of third-party subcontractors who erect sheds full time all over Australia. These teams are all accredited and highly experienced professionals.
The installer can work directly with you. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can work directly with the installer to organise the erection of your shed.
Cast the hold down bolts into the piers.
Install everything we supply including mezzanine floors, roller doors, crane rails, insulation, windows and more.
Any internal fit out is installed by another party (more information below).
The laying of the concrete slab can often be done in accordance with the pouring of the piers and flatten our during the foundations stage. Alternatively, the concrete slab can be done after the construction stage. Ultimately, it is up to the concreter and timing.
When designing the slab, you will need to consider what will be on top of it and what will it be used for. The higher the load, the thicker the slab will need to be.
We can take this into consideration, design the slab, layout the plan and specify the slabs engineering in the earlier design stages. However, we don't get involved in the pouring of the slab. You will need to arrange this with your local concreter.
The internal fit out of your new shed includes services such as plumbing and electrical. Offices, toilets, washing blocks, change rooms, lunch rooms will all include a lot of extras that will need to be done by a local builder. In the initial planning stage, the local builder can work with you and us to determine what will be involved in the internal fit out.
We can draw the internal fit out and design in the initial stages; however, it won't be a detailed design; only a floor layout. Your local builder can organise those final details.
Once your shed has been erected, the local builder will then arrange the local plumber, tiler, electrician and other trades to come in and fit it out. You can manage this yourself, however, this particular stage requires a lot of work.
Once your internal fit out is complete, congratulations, your new building is ready to go.
We have had plenty of experience helping people, just like you, through the shed construction process.
If you still have questions, please give us a call on 1800 004 940 or contact us online.
One of our team will be more than happy to help.