Can You Build Your Own Shed in NZ?

New Zealand is a great country with many freedoms… one of which is the right to build your own shed. It’s not for everyone though. If you’re considering building your own shed, there are two main areas to ensure you have covered off; your local council rules, and the skills required to actually construct a shed. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Rules and regulations 

Like with any other building, a new shed may require council consent or a building permit. This is to ensure a safe structure is created that doesn’t infringe on the rights of your neighbours or the local community. Before building a shed, you may need answers to questions such as…

• Do I need a permit?
• What’s the biggest shed I can build without needing permits?
• How close to the fence or boundary can my shed be?
• How high can I build a shed without needing permission?
• Can I put a toilet in my shed?

As you plan a new shed design, it’s important you’re clear about what you can legally do. If you choose to build your own shed, it’s your responsibility to comply with local rules and regulations. If you get things wrong you may be required to remove the structure at your own cost. If you have any uncertainty in this area, it’s a good sign you should consider working with expert shed builders rather than attempting to build your own shed.

Building skills and the quality of workmanship

Everybody sets out to build a shed that’s safe and structurally sound, however it’s easy to get things wrong. Before you attempt to build your own shed, you should be comfortable answering questions like…

• Do I need foundations?
• Do I have the skills to build and erect a level shed?
• Can I follow the building plans?
• Am I capable of installing windows and doors, and ensuring they both work and are watertight?! Or will I need to hire someone to help me with this component? 

In most cases, building a shed is not as complex as say a house or a commercial building. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy and without its challenges. It may seem obvious that skill and experience go a long way towards successfully building a safe, strong, good looking shed.

Kitset sheds

People often look to kitsets as a way of building your own shed where some of the work has been done for you. With a kitset shed you typically buy a building design, and get the materials required to build that shed design. It’s up to you then to put the pieces together.

A kitset can often cost less than getting a shed fully built and installed for you, and that’s because you don’t get everything with a kitset shed. The great thing about working with KiwiSpan is that you have the flexibility to get as much or as little support as you need. It’s your choice which tasks we complete and which you’d like to do yourself. For example:

• Council permits and confirmation that building a particular shed in the place you wish to put it, is actually legal.
• Putting a solid and level foundation in place for your kitset shed.
• Constructing your shed and ensuring a sound, level, water-tight structure with properly functioning windows and doors.

If you’d like the full build experience, just the kitset, or something in between, KiwiSpan can customise the offering so you get exactly what you need, and nothing you don’t want. If you’re at all unsure about kitsets, it can save time, money, and a whole lot of stress by talking to our experts from the beginning. KiwiSpan support you all the way through your shed building journey, regardless of how involved in the build phase we are.

Whether it’s a workshop, tool shed, or commercial building, KiwiSpan has a customised shed solution for you. Contact us HERE today to get the ball rolling on your next project.