Your Top Shed Questions Answered

Your Top Shed Questions Answered

Thinking about building a shed, garage, or shed home? Wide Span Sheds gets asked hundreds of questions from customers across New Zealand. Here are the ones that come up most.

How much does a shed cost in NZ?

Shed prices vary with size, custom features, site requirements, and steel quality. As a real guide, Wide Span Sheds' Essential Range kit-sets price from roughly $265 to $390 per square metre, kit-set only, excluding foundations and construction. See the full breakdown in How Much Does a Shed Cost in New Zealand?

If a competitor quote looks far cheaper, check what's excluded. Wide Span Sheds manufactures with NZ Steel and backs every build with up to a 50-year warranty, and a quote missing flashings, bracing, or warranty terms usually isn't comparing like for like.

How big should my shed be?

No one has ever told Wide Span Sheds their shed was too big. Plenty of people come back saying they wish they'd gone bigger. Common regrets: a boat that doesn't fit because of trailer length, not enough height for a caravan, or outgrowing the space within 12 months.

Measure what you need today, then add space for tomorrow. It's cheaper to go slightly bigger now than to build a second shed later.

What's the standard size for a double garage?

In New Zealand, a typical double garage is around 6m wide x 6m deep x 2.4m high minimum, comfortably fitting two standard cars. Larger vehicles or equipment need more:

• Large SUVs or 4WDs: at least 2.4m door height
• Boats on trailers: 2.7m to 3.0m door height depending on trailer and canopy
• Caravans or motorhomes: 3.0m+ door height plus roof clearance
• Tractors or farm machinery: measure the tallest point including attachments, then add 300-500mm clearance

Always measure the largest vehicle or equipment, including racks and antennas, before finalising a size. Wide Span Sheds' specialists customise garage dimensions to what you actually own, not a standard template.

Do I need building consent for a shed?

It depends on size and location. Many councils allow smaller sheds under a set floor area to be built without consent, but thresholds and conditions vary by region and by what the shed will be used for. Wide Span Sheds handles the consent path on full builds, so this is confirmed against your specific site and council before anything is finalised rather than assumed from a general rule.

Do sheds require maintenance?

Yes, but minimal. To keep a shed performing well for decades:

• Wash it inside and out regularly, especially near the coast
• Clear gutters to prevent rust and water overflow
• Inspect the roof and walls annually for scratches or wear
• Lubricate roller doors and moving parts

Is building a shed home cheaper than a house?

Not always, and "cheaper" isn't the right word to start with. The base structure can cost less than a traditional house, but fit-out costs, plumbing, insulation, interiors, often bring the total close to a standard build once council consent and site-specific engineering are factored in. Think of a shed home as a lifestyle choice suited to a particular use, not automatically a budget option. For what's really involved, see Shed Homes: What You Need to Know Before You Start.

What should I consider before choosing a shed?

Beyond size and price:

• Placement: how it sits on the land and against the house or landscape
• Access: whether vehicles, boats, or trailers can manoeuvre easily
• Future-proofing: solar panels, door motors, or light panels are easier to include from the start than add later
• Kitset vs full construction: kitset isn't always meaningfully cheaper once professional installation is factored in

For more on getting shed size right, see what size shed do you actually need?

The bottom line

Building a shed is more than ordering a kit, it's creating a space that suits how you'll actually use it. Knowing the real numbers upfront saves money, time, and stress later.

Talk to your local Wide Span Sheds specialist to start your shed project. Call 0800 WIDE SPAN.