04/12/25
The details behind the number matter more than the number itself. Two quotes for what looks like the same building can come in at very different prices, and most of the time the cheaper one is only cheaper because something's been left out.
Wide Span Sheds reviews quotes for customers regularly, and the same gaps show up again and again: drainage, electrical, windows, doors, and earthworks left out of the total, engineering that doesn't match the site, and cladding specs that sound similar but aren't.
Here's an actual comparison from a customer who brought Wide Span Sheds two competitor quotes for the same 8m x 17m shed.
| Wide Span Sheds | Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $53,100 | $41,940 | $53,200 |
| Delivery included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Consent application included | Yes | Yes | No |
| Size | 8m x 17m | 8m x 17m | 8m x 17m |
| Roof pitch | 6 degrees | 5 degrees | 4 degrees |
| Roller doors | 2 rollers, 2 motors | 1 roller, 1 motor | 2 rollers, 1 motor |
| Ranch slider glazing | Double glazed | Single glazed | Single glazed |
| Cladding | COLORSTEEL® | ColorCote® | ColorCote® |
| Downpipes | COLORSTEEL® | ColorCote® | White PVC |
| Vermin proofing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bird proofing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Window glazing | Double glazed | Single glazed | Double glazed |
| Heavy duty gutter brackets | Yes | No | No |
| Importance Level | IL2 | IL2 | IL1 |
| Wind speed rating | VR 45 | VR 40.9 | VR 41 |
The cheapest quote (Competitor 1) is $11,160 less, but drops to single glazing throughout, no vermin or bird proofing, one motorised door instead of two, and a lower wind speed rating. Competitor 2 matches Wide Span Sheds on price but rates IL1 instead of IL2 and doesn't include the consent application. Same size shed, three very different buildings.
It's not uncommon for a shed quote to exclude:
These are the extras that add up fast once you're locked into a contract. Wide Span Sheds checks for these gaps before you commit, not after.
Weight and steel content
Heavier sheds generally mean more steel, and more steel means a stronger structure. Wide Span Sheds sheds are typically heavier than competitor equivalents for this reason. Ask any supplier for the actual weight, not just the size, when comparing.
Cladding
Wide Span Sheds uses COLORSTEEL® or ZINCALUME® cladding at 0.40mm base metal thickness (BMT). Ask competitors for their BMT figure specifically, not just the brand name, since the same cladding brand can be supplied in different thicknesses.
Foundation
A weak foundation is a safety and durability risk, not just a cost line. Wide Span Sheds recommends a minimum 100mm thick concrete slab at 25MPa grade strength, with seismic-grade reinforcing mesh for earthquake resistance. Ask what slab thickness, grade, and reinforcing your quote actually includes.
Site-specific engineering
Every Wide Span Sheds build is site-specifically engineered and ShedSafe accredited, covering wind region, terrain category, snow load or coastal exposure, and Importance Level (IL1/IL2) rating. Not every supplier offering "site-specific engineering" is accredited to back it up. Ask for the accreditation, not just the term.
Build scope and compliance
Confirm in writing whether the quote covers delivery, council consent documentation, full installation or kit-set supply only, and what warranty applies to the structure and its components. Vague scope here is where cost blowouts start.
Watch for:
Cheap up front becomes expensive once you're locked in.
If a supplier can't answer these clearly, that's the answer.
| Feature | Wide Span Sheds |
|---|---|
| Site-specific engineering | Included on every build |
| Cladding | Genuine NZ COLORSTEEL®, 0.40mm BMT |
| ShedSafe® accredited | Yes |
| Warranty | Up to 50 years |
| Council consent assistance | Available |
| Quote transparency | Full inclusions listed, not just a headline price |
| Sheds sold | Over 40,000 across NZ and Australia |
Specs matter, but so does who's standing behind them. Wide Span Sheds has delivered over 40,000 sheds across New Zealand and Australia over more than 20 years, and is ShedSafe accredited. In a market where new entrants come and go, a track record you can check is worth asking about directly.
Bring it to Wide Span Sheds and the team will review it for free: a line-by-line breakdown of what's included, what's missing, and whether the engineering matches your site. This isn't about picking it apart for the sake of it, it's about making sure you know what you're actually paying for before you sign.
A shed quote is a technical document, not just a number. Wide Span Sheds checks materials, foundation, engineering, and scope before recommending anything, and will do the same with a quote you've already received elsewhere, no cost, no pressure.
Send Wide Span Sheds your quote for a free review, or get in touch to start one from scratch. - 0800 WIDE SPAN
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As one of New Zealand's leading shed providers, we have one of the largest ranges of quality steel sheds.
