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Great work. Kris explained what he would do clearly and provided a competitive quote for the eork. He was able to start quickly and work days that accommodated my schedule and needs. I love the finished result and he explained how to care for it. Great workmanship - would hire him again.

Elliott

Adam did a great job with our flooring. He was friendly, worked quickly and well priced. Would definitely use again.

Hayley

Job booked in quickly and carried out professionally for a fair price. Would recommend.

Antonio

This page has everything you’ll need to know about finding and hiring a local garden shed/playhouse specialist.

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Garden shed and playhouse construction from local builders

Garden sheds come in a range of shapes and sizes and are increasingly used for a variety of different purposes, from storing tools and garden furniture, to providing spaces to work in or relax. Garden sheds are usually made from wood, plastic, or metal and, unless you’re after something bespoke, most sheds will come pre-built, requiring you or a tradesperson to assemble it. In most cases, a gardener, a handyman, or a builder will be able to do the job for you. 

Costs for installing or building your garden shed

The costs of the shed itself will vary greatly on what your shed is made from and its size. Most pre-built sheds will take 1-2 days to build, with costs likely to start from £200, though this will vary based on where you live. Costs can increase if you need an area cleared to make room for the shed, are opting for a concrete base or need the ground levelled before the shed can be built.

If you’re looking to add electricity, heating, lighting and furniture, this will add to the complexity of the project and you may want to research specialist shed builders who can build you something bespoke. 

Choosing the right shed

This will depend upon a number of things including:

  • Your budget.
  • The value of the items you’ll keep in the shed.
  • Your intended use of the shed.
  • Any design considerations you have relating to your house or garden.

Before you decide on the type of shed, it’s important to think about how you’ll use it. Will your shed be used to sit and relax in, to work in, or as a home for your lawnmower and other garden tools.  

Wooden sheds are usually made from softwoods like pine and cedar. Pine has a greater susceptibility to rot than cedar but is also cheaper and more widely available. It’s a good idea to treat your shed before construction and then repeat the treatment each year. This will help to keep it weather-proof. Alternatively you could look at pre-treated or pressure-treated sheds. The latter has preservative forced into the timber, resulting in almost no maintenance being required at all.

Plastic sheds tend to be cheaper than wooden sheds. They’re lighter, won’t rot or burn, and are often simpler to construct. On the downside, because of its plastic construction, the hinges for the doors and locks will likely be plastic meaning security can be a concern, and you may have limits on the amount you can hang on the walls. You’ll also want to think about how your new shed will look in situ – plastic sheds often struggle for style points.

Metal sheds are made to last (but beware the cheap, thin metal sheds which corrode quickly). They’re low maintenance as the metal is galvanised, making them weather proof. They’re also heavy, meaning they’re robust and can be made very secure, but this means they can be trickier to put up, with the panels of the shed weighing significantly more than other alternatives.

Whichever option you choose, a solid base is vital to ensure your shed is able to withstand the rigours of daily use (removing tools and equipment from a shed will test how well built your shed is) and bad weather. Ask your tradesperson before they quote about whether any clearance is needed, how they plan to create a solid base for the shed and whether there’s any work required to level off the ground.

There are no specific qualifications that a tradesperson will need to build a shed. It’s always advisable to see proof of similar projects they’ve been done for other homeowners.   

Planning permission for building a garden shed

You shouldn’t need planning permission to build a shed if:

  • Your shed is only being used for domestic purposes.
  • Your shed has a maximum height of 4 metres.
  • The ground area covered by your shed is less than 50% of the total ground space of your home.

For all the latest planning permission advice and for all the qualifying criteria, visit the Planning Portal.

Insurance for electrical work

Whichever tradesperson you choose to build your shed, they should have public liability insurance. This isn’t a requirement but gives you peace of mind should there be any property damage or personal injury claims as a result of the work.

Questions you should ask your tradesperson

  • Do they have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
  • What kind of jobs do they tend to do the most? Can they give you references for previous work?
  • Will it be themselves that build the shed? If a concrete base is needed, or if you’d like electricity in your shed, will they be doing this work themselves or working with other tradespeople?

"I am a skilled multi-trade handyman with several years of experience specialising in both indoor and outdoor carpentry. My expertise encompasses a variety of carpentry techniques, allowing me to handle a wide variety of projects . I take pride in delivering high-quality craftsmanship and ensuring customer satisfaction in every job I undertake."

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Reviewed by Kweku on 11/6/2025

Excellent communication, timekeeping and most importantly workmanship was first class.

I am available for all your building work and landscaping. Kitchen, bathroom and flooring done as well. Carried out to a high standard.All at a good price and great value. Now doing resin bound driveways

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Reviewed by Murray on 27/2/2025

We are a new and uprising company, which has very experienced workers of 10+ years in everything to do with Gardening. From cutting weeds, grass, branches and hedges to floral designing, moulding hedges and using the hard earned skills to make your garden look the best way possible. For our clients we don’t just tidy the garden we transform the garden. We can also give an artistic approach. We also have specialists in building, with cement, concrete, bricks, wood such as fencing, decks, path ways made from any material wanted, etc. We can do everything there is to do about gardening, and Some more! Such as waste removal. Like furniture or anything else. We’ll asses it, give you a quote and help you out.

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Reviewed by Sue on 27/4/2025

Very prompt response to come and assess and quote for the work. They were keen to do the work the next day even though I was going to be out - they called when they arrived, sent photos as they progressed the work, messaged when finished with final photos. They took away all the rubbish (there was a lot of pruning done) and didn’t ask for payment until I had reviewed everything in person the following morning (it was dark when I got home). Overall very polite and did a very good job.

We have over 30 years experience in the building industry specifically in all aspects of carpentry

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Reviewed by Ken on 22/5/2025

Rough diamond. Reliable. Gets on with the job. Knows his stuff. Good job. Will I use again.

A&R Decorating Husband and Wife Team offer a professional Painting and Decorating, Furniture painting, Tiling, Floor-laying, Kitchen fitting, Bathroom fitting, Plaster boarding, Paneling, Coving & Skirting fitting, Veranda – Gazebo building, House-Garden & Terrace Landscaping service throughout Leicestershire, Warwickshire and surrounding areas. Providing all aspects of interior and exterior decoration for domestic and small commercial properties. We work to the highest standards using quality products for a professional finish, achieving the best possible result. We provide a first-class service built around the customer and understand we are in your home on a trust basis and ensure we clear up after ourselves. We discuss with the customer what's good for them on every aspect of the job and ensure we keep the home we're working in as live-able as possible while the work is carried out. This is a company that cares about the standard of their work and takes care to respect your home. We have been working over 6 Years in Chelsea London before we moved to Leicester.

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Reviewed by WILLS on 20/2/2024

Fantastic. Really friendly people. Done an amazing job wallpapering landing and stairs, highly recommended.

From a single wall to a complete house, inside and out, plastering/rendering. Also roofing, stonewalling, extensions and general maintenance....no job too small. Please feel free to email me or leave me a message and I'll get back to you.

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Reviewed by Geoffrey on 11/7/2024

Reliable, personable, conscientious, trustworthy and reasonably priced. Can definitely recommend .

At Freeman's Plumbing And Bathrooms we take great pride in all of our work whether it’s a small job such as repairing a dripping tap or a full bathroom or kitchen installation. We have 14 years experience in the construction industry and have City and Guilds qualifications. We will assist you in creating your perfect bathroom, cloakroom or kitchen.

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Reviewed by Lyn on 13/11/2024

Jack was on time .and professional. He did the job quickly and neatly under less than ideal conditions. I wouldn't hesitate to ask him back for the bigger job on the horizon.

Our company is based in Nottingham and specialises in home and garden renovations home improvements.all to a very High standard.we specialise in a wide variety of work,door hanging,door liners,architraves and skirting boards, engineered oak flooring,balustrades, stairs .patios, decking,bespoke high end garden office ,very good quality sheds pagodas,fencing,gates.some examples can be seen in the photo gallery.im a city and guilds fully qualified joiner with over 25 years experience. Making the customer happy is our objective.

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Reviewed by Alan on 4/3/2025

Paul undertook the job and managed the unexpected issues that arose during the work very positively even though it lengthened the time of the job. He was efficient, communicated what he was doing and left everything in good order.

AK Construction SW LTD is an experienced, growing building company based in Taunton, Somerset. We cover all aspects of the building, maintenance and decoration trades and we love to leave a finished job that we can be proud of. We're well known for the quality of our work and attention to detail. As such, our services are sought after from small jobs to larger projects like extensions and refurbishments. We also specialise in bespoke English Larch decking and fencing as well as outdoor offices and garden rooms to transform your outdoor areas and add long lasting kerb appeal to your home. We're available to undertake a diverse range of jobs big and small, from skilled and detailed refurbishments, bathroom remodelling, kitchen installations, carpentry, decorating, plumbing, general building and electrical repairs, to complete renovations, improvements and property extensions. Our small and friendly team of skilled tradesmen take pride in our work and strive to finish each job to a high standard and would love to come and quote for your needs. All work fully insured.

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Reviewed by tim on 18/12/2024

Fred and his team did a brilliant job replacing my bathroom floor and shower. Every effort was made to ensure job was completed to the highest standard and we can’t be happier with the finished product. Would highly recommend AK constructions SW for your building needs.

Hi I'm Lovejeet Singh (Lucky), the managing director of RSP A1 CONSTRUCTION I now have 17 years of experience in this trade. We provide a full building service. Loft conversion, Extension, Full Refurbishment and many more. We are a team with intelligent, physically strong, hardworking, and professional tradesmen who give 100% all the time. We are always on time at work and finish within time scale. WE WILL ACHIEVE YOUR VISION and most importantly NO SHORT CUTS

With 20 years experience as a qualified Joiner and builder I pride myself on providing a high end finish on all of my jobs. I am not happy until I know you are happy so I 100% guarantee my work and I treat each project like I would my own home. We are a joinery based building company with a wide and varied range of experience with our specialty being in full home renovations. Although relatively new to Rated People, we have a long history of happy customers with many positive online reviews. We are equally happy completing small jobs as we are taking on the bigger projects and always provide very competitive pricing. We have built many homes from the ground up completing all aspects of the job including Kitchens, bathrooms, attic conversions, garage conversions, foundations, roofs, windows and doors, decks and fences to name but a few

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Reviewed by Rosemary on 11/4/2025

hi there I'm tracy Mccready from Mccready's property maintenance. I do a good job for a fair price and provide a reliable service in all property maintenance and improvements. we are fully insured for 2 million pound public liability and safety conscious. I offer a free quotation and free advice. I always listen to the customer to find out what they want and need that suits there budget building up good relationships that last for many of years . we are here to help with all your roofing ,building and landscaping needs . we have many satisfied customers who would gladly recommend us to you . we accept most credit cards ,bank transfers or checks. all work comes with a warranty .thank you for taking the time of reading this ,I look forward to hearing from you

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Reviewed by Keith on 12/4/2025

Great service! Quick turnaround, efficient and did a great job to exact requirements.

Highly range of painting and decorating skills. Quality for prise. 15years I’m in this business. I love what I do that’s why my standards are very high.Im a very focused person on my duties,knowing what to do.I like to have well organised place to work.Im keeping clean and tidy ,surface after all ,it’s important for me, as a person I am. Experience and variety of the jobs I did in past few years gives me knowledge and assures my of what I am doing.

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Reviewed by Victoria on 14/11/2023

Did an amazing job removing the desks and touching up/repainting the walls.

Welcome to Cerberus Constructions Ltd – Building Excellence, Together At Cerberus Constructions Ltd, we bring visions to life with precision, passion, and a commitment to quality. As a trusted partner in construction and development, we specialize in creating spaces that inspire, endure, and exceed expectations. Why Choose Us? • Expert Craftsmanship: Our skilled team delivers impeccable results, whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial projects. • Innovative Solutions: We embrace cutting-edge techniques and sustainable practices to shape the future of construction. • Tailored to You: Every project is as unique as our clients. We work closely with you to understand your needs and turn your ideas into reality. • Reliable and Transparent: With on-time delivery and clear pricing, we ensure every project stays on track and within budget. Our Services • New Builds & Extensions: From the ground up, we create homes and businesses designed to impress. • Renovations, Bathrooms & Refurbishments: Transform your existing space with modern, functional, and elegant upgrades, including stunning bathroom makeovers that combine luxury and practicality. • Specialized Projects: Custom construction solutions, including kitchens, plumbing, and boiler installations, delivered with unmatched expertise. Our Promise to You All our projects come with a 5-Year Workmanship Guarantee, ensuring peace of mind and long-lasting results. A Sustainable Future At Cerberus Constructions Ltd, we prioritize environmentally friendly methods and materials to reduce your carbon footprint without compromising on quality. See Our Work Explore our portfolio and see how we’ve transformed spaces across Manchester and beyond. From breathtaking bathroom renovations to stunning home extensions, our gallery showcases the results of our dedication and skill. About Us Founded on a passion for craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, Cerberus Constructions Ltd has been serving the Manchester community with dedication and expertise for over 10 years. Our mission is to build not just structures but lasting relationships with our clients. Your Project. Our Priority. We pride ourselves on transparency, reliability, and exceptional results. From initial consultation to project completion, we keep you informed and involved every step of the way. Let’s Build Something Extraordinary. Contact us today to discuss your project and request a free quote.

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Reviewed by richard on 10/2/2025

Very happy with the work and good communication and will definitely use again

Hello, I am Nik, the proud owner of N. K CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION LTD. A little about us With many happy and returning customers over the last 13 years, you can be sure of being well looked after. Our aim is to provide a stress-free project, delivered in a manner that I am confident will exceed your expectations. We are proud to be family run, known locally for our fantastic service. Our customers often comment that every colleague they interact with is approachable and cheerful; we find that promoting a positive attitude always helps projects run smoothly with good communication throughout. Main work we undertake limited company . · Refurbishments Extensions · Loft Conversions · Carpentry work · House renovations Availability We are available during working hours, Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours you are welcome to contact us via email or request a call back. If for any reason you are unable to contact us on the phone, you are welcome to send an initial query via email where one of our team can will reply back . Thank you for taking the time to consider our company’s profile, I look forward to hearing from you. N. K CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION LTD

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Reviewed by Beverlie on 9/5/2023

The job started as refurbishing a kitchen extension. Nik and his guys worked quickly and paid attention to detail. Nik came up with the best possible layout given the space. I liked the way he worked so he ended up refurbishing the whole house. He made use of the materials and fixed things that needed fixing as he went along all within the quoted price. A good honest team of builders that transformed the property.

CM Interior & Exterior LTD is a trusted provider of high-quality home improvement and furniture assembly services, serving clients across the entire London area. With nearly 15 years of industry experience, their skilled team of 2-5 professionals specializes in painting and decorating, carpentry, and flat pack assembly. Dedicated to delivering excellent craftsmanship and personalized service, CM Interior & Exterior LTD takes pride in transforming spaces into beautiful, functional environments tailored to each client’s needs. Whether it’s a small project or a complete renovation, the team ensures every job is completed with precision and care.

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Reviewed by Doa on 16/6/2025

Very good very clean very kind

At Custom Carpentry & Construction we offer all aspects of carpentry and refurbishment services from Kitchen installations to full refurbishments we cover it all. what sets us off from the rest is our bespoke carpentry services that can be tailored to suit any need. we pride ourselves on our professional approach and customer satisfaction is a priority.

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Reviewed by Susan on 10/9/2024

Joe's done a brilliant job retailing my front porc h. I'd definitely recommend him, and use his services again.

At A1 Property & Garden Maintenance, we bring over six years of professional expertise and a lifetime of knowledge passed down through generations. Based in Birmingham, we proudly serve the local community and surrounding areas with a small, dedicated team committed to excellence. Our services include: Gardening Tree cutting Hedge cutting Gutter cleaning Power washing Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s transforming outdoor spaces or maintaining your property, we ensure every job is completed with precision, care, and attention to detail. Choose A1 Property & Garden Maintenance for a reliable, personalized approach to property and garden care.

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Reviewed by Tina on 25/7/2023

Took my money without completing the job and now does not return my calls or texts, phone number provided on website is disconnected. I do not recommend

We are General Contractors and can undertake renovations/refurbishments as well as newbuild homes or extensions. We have qualified electricians, plumbers and highly carpenters. No job is too big or complicated. The principles of the business have combined experience of over 15 years and we pride ourselves on leaving our customers very happy.

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