The Shed Review Guide

A free, printable checklist for judging any shed before you hand over money. Take it to the showroom, or keep it open next to an online listing.

What’s inside

Six short chapters, in the order you’ll need them.

  1. Know what you’re storing

    A one-page inventory sheet that turns “a mower, some bikes and the barbecue” into a minimum floor size and door width.

  2. Sizing worksheet

    Footprint, headroom and door clearance on graph paper, with common shed sizes drawn to scale so you can compare.

  3. Timber and cladding checks

    What to look for in board thickness, framing size, treatment and knots, with a pass/fail box for each.

  4. Roof, floor and fixings

    Felt grades, floor sheet thickness, hinge and lock quality: the parts budget sheds skimp on first.

  5. Base planner

    Pick gravel, slabs or concrete with a quick decision chart, then work out stone and timber quantities for your size.

  6. Total-cost tally

    A fill-in sheet for shed, base, delivery, paint and extras, so you compare real totals rather than sticker prices.

Who it’s for

It’s for you if

You’re buying or building your first shed, you’d like it to last more than a few winters, and you want to know what you’re looking at before you choose.

It isn’t

A sales catalogue. There are no product rankings in it and no brand names, only the checks you can apply to any shed you’re considering.