Kitset Sheds FAQ – DIY Kits, Turnkey Builds, Materials & Support
Q: Do you have builders to construct your sheds, or do you only supply them?
A: Yes. We offer full shed and garage construction nationwide, as well as DIY supply-only options.
If you require a fully built shed, we can manage the entire process including supply, delivery, construction, site works, and concrete slabs if required. We work with a nationwide network of experienced builders who construct steel sheds and garages to completion throughout New Zealand.
Q: How long will it take to complete the project?
A: Project timelines vary depending on shed size, consent requirements, and site conditions, but most projects follow this general timeframe:
Engineering & documentation: Producer statements, engineering calculations, and building plans are typically prepared within 10 working days after deposit.
Building consent: Council processing usually takes around 20 working days, depending on the local authority.
Manufacture & delivery: Once consent is approved, sheds are generally manufactured and delivered within 10–15 working days.
Concrete foundations: Concrete floors and foundations are typically completed within 2–3 weeks, depending on shed size and site conditions.
Construction: Smaller garages are usually erected within 2–3 weeks, while larger sheds and commercial buildings may take 4 weeks or more.
Q: What is involved in placing the concrete?
A: The foundations form part of the shed’s structural design, and each shed comes with specific, builder-friendly foundation plans.
The simplest option is to hand these plans to a concrete layer, who can complete the entire foundation process for you.
If you want to save some cost, you can prepare the boxing and reinforcing yourself, then have a concrete layer place and finish the concrete for you.
Q: How difficult is it to build one of your sheds myself?
A: Building a steel shed or garage yourself is easier than you might expect, especially if you have basic building or engineering skills and are willing to put in some physical work.
Our clear, builder-friendly plans guide you step by step, whether you are constructing a storage shed, a farm shed, or a 2–3 bay garage. We provide full phone support and expert guidance throughout the build, helping you assemble your shed correctly, efficiently, and according to plan.
Q: Do I need to be a licensed builder to build one of your sheds myself?
A: No. If the project is not classified as restricted building work, you do not need to be a licensed builder to construct a steel shed or garage yourself.
With basic skills and our clear plans, assembling a shed is straightforward. We also provide expert guidance and phone support throughout the build, helping reduce mistakes and ensuring you end up with a high-quality shed you can proudly say you built yourself.
Q: How long will it take if I assemble the shed myself?
A: Once the concrete foundations are in place:
A garage under 200 m² can typically be assembled by two people in around 2 weeks, or one person in about 3 weeks, assuming you have the right tools and equipment.
For sheds over 200 m², having three builders is recommended. With sufficient scaffolding and tools, these sheds usually take 2–3 weeks to complete.
Weather conditions, number of doors and windows, and builder experience can affect the overall timeline.
Q: Do I need a building consent for a shed in New Zealand?
A: Some single-storey pole sheds and hay barns may qualify for a building consent exemption, provided strict criteria are met.
Key points include:
Maximum 110 m² net floor area
Located in a rural zone
Importance Level 1 classification
Design wind speed not exceeding 44 m/s or a High wind zone
Maximum clear span of 6.0 m
Maximum height of 4.0 m
Commonly used for livestock, equipment, fodder, or grain
Design must be carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, or constructed/supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner.
District planning rules still apply, and councils usually require a formal written exemption application, often via a specific exemption form.
Some shed companies sell sheds before providing responsible advice — however, the responsibility ultimately rests with the property owner.
Q: Are all of your sheds and garages customizable, or are they standard sizes?
A: Every shed we sell is 100% custom designed.
Each building is designed specifically for the exact position on your property and includes:
A bespoke PS1 Producer Statement
Custom building plans
Engineering calculations tailored to your design
There are no standard sizes — you sketch it, we design, engineer, quote, and deliver any shape or size shed or garage you want.
Q: Are you a New Zealand company, and is your product NZ-made? Why is this important?
A: Yes. We are New Zealand owned and operated, and we source all components locally while working exclusively with NZ-based engineers, consultants, and suppliers.
This ensures better communication, faster turnaround times, local accountability, and no offshore engineering queues. Your shed is designed, built, and delivered with genuine New Zealand expertise.
Q: Can you deliver a shed anywhere in the North or South Island of New Zealand?
A: Yes. We dispatch buildings from Steel & Tube branches nationwide, using their internal freight network to ensure safe, efficient, and timely delivery throughout both islands.
Q: Why are your sheds better than others?
A: All of our garages, sheds, and barns are individually designed through a collaboration between an industry-leading, independent engineering firm and a shed builder with over 20 years of hands-on construction experience.
Compared with cheap, no-frills sheds designed using offshore software systems, our sheds use robust structural design criteria tailored specifically to New Zealand wind zones, site conditions, and intended use.
The result is a solid shed or garage that looks great and performs long-term — not a shed designed merely to meet minimum requirements.
Q: How thick are the cladding, roofing iron, framing materials, and brackets?
A: We never cut corners on materials.
Minimum 0.40 mm cladding
0.55 mm flashings
Genuine NZ-made COLORSTEEL® Maxam® with Activate™ technology
3 mm G450–Z450 galvanised brackets
6 mm hot-dipped galvanised base connections
Heavy-duty roll-formed portal frames with deep longitudinal swages
Our sheds stand straight, strong, and durable for decades.
Q: Why are there so many shed companies, and how do I know who to go with?
A: The shed market can be confusing, so it’s important to choose a company with real hands-on experience, local engineering, and accountability.
Ask questions such as:
Is the engineering completed by a New Zealand-based engineer?
How many sheds have you personally built?
Can you guarantee engineering and documentation in weeks, not months?
Do you use Australian-developed software to quote my shed?
These questions help ensure your shed is designed, built, and delivered correctly.
We build and supply quality NZ made sheds.
