Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Buildings FAQs

• What are floor bearers?
• Will I need planning permission?
• What type of base?
• What size base?
• Can you provide a base?
• What's the difference between Shiplap & Loglap cladding?
• How are buildings measured?
• I want a custom sized building?
• Do you offer buildings on a supply only basis?
• 5 Year Anti Rot Warranty
• Details of Electrics

What are floor bearers?
3x3 tanilised bearers laid under the floor providing additional height from ground for airflow to keep the building free of damp.

Will I need planning permission?
A garden building with a floor area of less than 30 square metres is generally classed as permitted development and requires no planning permission providing that it is:

• Not within a "conservation area", "area of outstanding natural beauty" or listed building. 
• Situated behind the main building line.
• Sited 5 metres or more from the main dwelling.
• Or part of the 70 cubic metre allowance for extensions, if sited within 5 metres of the main dwelling.
• Sited at least 1 metre from your boundary, if greater than 15 square metres internally.

If you have any doubts call your local planning office for a copy of planning guidelines. Please also keep your neighbours informed of your plans.

What type of base?
As with all buildings, garden sheds require a firm, level base if they are to remain sound and serviceable. Without the correct base, a garden shed will quickly deteriorate. The walls and roof will sag and the door and windows jam. The lower timbers in the wall will remain wet, while the floor will rot through because it is in permanent contact with the ground. Not only will the shed always smell unpleasant, but tools will quickly rust and other materials will grow mould. We recommend 3 types of base:

• Concrete Base - Recommended method for competent DIYer or professional builder. Download how to guide here.
  
• Paving Slab Base - Perfectly adequate for the majority of purposes is a base of paving slabs laid onto levelled soil. 

1. Mark out the area of the shed, strip off the turf if there is any and smooth out the the soil as well as you can. 
2. Lay a string line along 2 edges of the shed and place the first slab in the corner, level it using a spirit level. You can use the 5 blobs of mortar technique to get it right and even a hardcore base if you want, though for most purposes, soil is perfectly adequate to level the slabs.
3. Lay the next slab against the long edge and level it with the first using the spirit level. Continue until the first row are all laid, then start on the second.

What size base?
Please ensure your base is 6 inches larger than your building in both directions. E.g. A base for a 10'x8' building should be 10'6"x8'6"

Can you provide a base?
Unfortunately we do not offer a base construction service. It is recommended you contact a local builder to provide this service.

What's the difference between Shiplap & Loglap cladding?
Shiplap features smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding. Loglap is an increasingly popular cladding profile for use in garden buildings. It features smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding with a rounded external log effect profile. The design of both Shiplap and Loglap ensures that rainwater drains quickly and the timber dries quickly.

How are buildings measured?
All building measurements indicate the total floor area of the building. You can specify which measurements apply to which sides of your building on the order confirmation form which will be sent to you once you have placed your order. 

I want a custom sized building?
Please contact us if you are interested in a non standard sized building.

Do you offer buildings on a supply only basis?
Although we offer our buildings on a supply only basis, erecting timber buildings is often not as easy as it may first appear. Therefore we offer an installation service carried out by skilled erectors to ensure that your building lives up to expectations. Our garden offices are supplied with free delivery and free erection.

5 Year Anti Rot Warranty
All buildings come with a 5 year anti rot warranty provided the building is re-treated annually.

Details of Electrics
Where buildings are offered with electrics we run the electrical wiring and provide 2 double sockets a light and switch and a consumer unit. A qualified electrician is required to connect electrical equipment. You main want to increase the number of plugs at £39.00 per socket.