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The Shed Review Guide. Check before you buy.

Everything we'd tell a neighbour who's about to spend good money on a shed, in one printable guide. Work out the size, pick materials that last, plan the base and spot a badly built shed at the garden centre.

What's inside

Six short chapters, one decision each

Read it in an evening and you'll know what you want before you go shopping, so you can't be talked into the wrong shed.

01

Build or buy?

A quick self-test on time, tools and budget that points you to a kit or a self-build.

02

Picking the right size

A measuring worksheet for what you'll store, plus the walk-in space people forget.

03

Materials that last

Timber, metal and plastic side by side, and the cladding, roof and treatment details that matter.

04

Bases and foundations

Gravel, slabs, concrete or grids: a one-page decision chart for your ground.

05

The buying checklist

Twelve things to check on a display shed: framing size, floor, door, fixings, roof overhang and more.

06

Budget planner

A fill-in sheet covering the shed, base, delivery, treatment, guttering and security.

Who it's for

Handy, not a builder? Perfect.

First-time shed buyers

You've never bought one and want to know what separates a good shed from a cheap one.

Weekend builders

You can use a drill and a level, and want a plan you can follow without guesswork.

Tight budgets

You want to know where saving money is fine, and where it costs you in five years' time.