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Steel sheds make excellent and practical additions to your backyard if your garage or storage space isn’t enough. It can be a designated place to house your tools or fix up your classic car. Whether that may be woodworking, gardening, carpentry, paint jobs, or restoration projects, a workshop shed is a perfect place to store machinery and various equipment and do personal projects. If you’re looking to invest in a custom steel shed, here are the must-have features to consider when working on your steel workshop shed design.

 

Why choose steel sheds?

Steel sheds are durable, inexpensive, low maintenance, and built to last. This is why many homeowners or hobbyists prefer to invest in steel over wooden sheds. Steel shed kit sets are very easy to put together and construct. Plus, they’re weather-resistant and require little maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape, enabling you to have the ideal storage space without exerting too much effort.

 

Must-have features for workshop sheds

The design and features of your steel workshop shed will depend on how you plan to use them. If you’re planning gardening activities, necessary features may include potting benches. But generally, a steel workshop shed should have the following essential features:

 

Adequate size and space

The size of your shed is crucial in the design as it needs to accommodate your storage needs, activity, and property size. If you’re working with a small property size but need ample space for your hobby, you can opt for a taller metal shed with a mezzanine floor that will make room for storage.

 

Tables & Workbenches

Steel workshop sheds should have at least a set of tables and a workbench, as they’re handy for any hobby. After all, workshop sheds are primarily for workshop activities—building, repairing, restoring, and more.

 

Utilities

When in your workshop shed, you’ll likely be there working for long hours. As such, steel workshop sheds may require specific installations or utilities such as electricity, plumbing, and heating to make them more conducive for working. As KiwiSpan does not install these utilities, you’ll need to hire contractors to incorporate any additional utilities, such as air conditioning and a sink, for extra comfort and convenience.

 

Storage & Shelving

Storage and shelving are also crucial aspects when designing a steel workshop shed. Shelves help keep tools accessible, while drawers and cabinets can keep equipment safe and secure. Because storage allows you to maximise the space of your steel shed, it’s helpful to consider the recommended type of storage and shelving of your licensee during the design phase. 

 

Doors & Windows

Review the type of windows and doors you need to maximise your steel shed. For example, a larger door is more suitable if you’re planning to bring heavy equipment and bulky machinery. Expansive windows are also a practical choice to allow more natural light and achieve better ventilation. But remember, because there are many purposes for steel sheds, your local licensee should be able to provide you with expert advice on what type of doors and windows will work best for your needs.

 

Safety Features

It’s also ideal to have your steel sheds equipped with the safety features that you need. Make sure to discuss these with your licensee during the design phase. Talk about how you can meet suitable lighting, ventilation, and fire safety requirements to ensure your steel shed will be a conducive environment for your work. For example, although we know that metal sheds are less of a fire hazard than wooden sheds, you can raise your desire for more safety features. If you get a go signal from your local licensee, you can hunt for suppliers who can install a smoke or carbon monoxide detector for added safety and peace of mind.

 

Custom sheds designed around your needs

KiwiSpan has the perfect solution for your storage and personal needs. We offer prefabricated steel sheds for residential, commercial, and agricultural applications. We can also customise steel workshop sheds that answer your specific needs or requirements. Our steel sheds adhere to New Zealand’s Building Code requirements, guaranteeing high-quality sheds that stand the test of time. Design your steel workshop shed today.

 

Steel is a building material well-loved for its strength, cost-efficiency, and design flexibility. Both versatile and durable, steel buildings are increasingly sought after in the market as they can withstand New Zealand’s harsh weather. At KiwiSpan, we have various steel structure types available, so you have the freedom to design what you need. From metal garages and carports to storage sheds and horse stables, we share the range of steel structures you can have on your property.

 

Metal Garages or Carports

Garages and carports are essential for anyone wanting to keep their vehicles safe and protected from the elements. Steel carports are durable, easy to construct, and affordable to install. With steel, you can build metal garages or steel carports affordably and efficiently. It’s an economical solution that protects your investments without taking too much time to build.

Whether it be luxury cars or recreational ATVs, you can rest assured your vehicles are safe and secure with a steel garage.

 

Vehicle Storage

Aside from cars, steel structures can also house other vehicles, such as boats, yachts, and trailers. Steel structures can be made to your vehicle’s exact size specifications, ensuring seamless storage and travel. If you live in a coastal area, you also get peace of mind that your boats and yachts are safe because steel also offers the ideal protection from rust and corrosion.

 

Steel Farm Sheds or Horse Stables

Steel farm sheds and horse stables are beneficial and practical for farmers and equestrians because steel material can withstand extreme weather conditions. You don’t have to worry about your horses during stormy weather because steel offers a viable home to protect them.

So, if you’re looking for farm sheds, barns, and horse shelters for your property that will stand the test of time, you can’t go wrong with durable steel.

 

General Storage

When you need extra room for your tools or machinery, storage steel sheds make the ideal addition to your property. Functional and secure, steel storages offer a dry place to safeguard heavy equipment, machinery, and more.

 

Why Steel Is The Best Material for Construction

You may be surprised to learn that there are various structures you can build with steel. Here’s why it works perfectly for so many different applications:

 

Quick and efficient to build

Steel is an efficient material that’s quick to assemble with minimal on-site labour. Because steel is a lighter-weight material, you can create a simple foundation without excavating. You can erect a whole frame in a matter of days.

 

Offers open space

Steel’s long-spanning ability makes it possible to build open spaces with fewer obtrusive centre poles or knee and apex bracing. With extended steel spans, you can create large open plans that provide adequate space to use to your liking.

 

Gives you the freedom to design

Steel is a versatile material that offers builders design freedom in colour, size, texture, and shape. Steel’s malleability enables us to develop cost-effective and innovative shed solutions that cater to your needs.

 

Design Your Own Steel Shed With KiwiSpan

Planning to construct a steel shed on your property? KiwiSpan can help. We also offer steel kitset sheds that are 100% customisable. Whether you need a horse stable, storage shed, or boat storage, we can make them happen! Design your steel shed at home and try our 3D Builder today!

 

A KiwiSpan kitset shed gives you the flexibility to do as much of the construction and project management as you’d like to. By doing some of the work yourself, you can save on the cost of labour and start work whenever you’re ready.

 

How KiwiSpan kitset sheds work

In a nutshell, we design and manufacture the shed, you put it together. You have the flexibility to do as much or as little as you like with a KiwiSpan kitset shed. We can help you with engineering and council consents. When it comes to construction, you can do this yourself if you have the skills and experience, or you can choose your own contractors. A KiwiSpan kitset shed puts you in complete control of the construction costs and time frames.

 

Fully customised kitset sheds

KiwiSpan design kitset sheds for all sorts of uses – farm sheds and barns, storage sheds, workshops and more. Whatever the type of shed you need, when you choose a kitset shed with KiwiSpan it’s designed to your specific requirements. You still benefit from the input and experience of our licensees who are supported by our knowledgeable design and engineering teams. We work with you to design a shed that suits your needs and your specific site. It’s completely tailored in terms of size, shape, roof lines, colours, cladding, windows, doors and more. 

 

Quality steel kitset sheds – designed to last

When it comes to the quality of your kitset shed, this is as much about the materials and design, as it is about the construction. KiwiSpan sheds are more durable because they are made with…

  • A heavier gauge steel to better withstand harsh weather conditions and bumps / knocks.
  • Heavy duty bolts alongside tek screws to provide stronger connections.

 

If you’re looking for a durable steel shed which is fully customised to your needs, and, if you have the time and skill to do some of the construction yourself, then a KiwiSpan kitset shed may be just what you’re after. Contact us HERE today to get the ball rolling on your next project.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and highly frustrating at times too! When building a shed, there are some common components people wish they’d done differently. Luckily, you have the chance to avoid making these same mistakes – simply read on.

 

1. BUILD WITH MORE HEIGHT

Everyone has a budget in mind and when designing a shed it’s easy to fall into the trap of limiting the shed height in order to save money. The height of your shed is particularly important when it comes to moving large vehicles or equipment around, storing big items, installing roller doors (which always hang down from the ceiling), or allowing for a mezzanine level.

Extra height very rarely has a significant impact on the building design or cost, so ensure you talk this feature through in detail with your KiwiSpan licensee.

 

2. DON’T SCRIMP ON SIZE

It’s important to remember that sheds are designed based on the external measurements – if you provide measurements needed to house your belongings internally, then the external size will need to be bigger to accommodate framing and cladding. People often regret getting a shed that’s the bare minimum size as they end up having to squeeze their items in – they haven’t always allowed enough space to open doors and manoeuvre things around. An extra metre or two can make a huge difference in the usability of your new shed.

 

3. OPT FOR QUALITY

There’s nothing more disappointing than watching your brand new shed show early wear and tear. That’s why KiwiSpan design sheds with a heavier gauge steel to better withstand harsh weather conditions and the bumps and scrapes of daily use. Our sheds are made with heavy duty bolts for stronger connections too. It all comes down to having a shed that is durable and long lasting – a better investment over time.

 

4. CHOOSE A CLEARSPAN DESIGN

Many people regret the decision to build a shed that doesn’t have clear spans. Clear spans offer wide open spaces with more internal room top to bottom – meaning you have greater manoeuvrability, more space for storage, and increased visibility within the shed. Plus, with fewer places for birds to roost, a clearspan design can help to prevent birds roosting in your shed.
KiwiSpan can build sheds up to eighteen metres wide without needing obtrusive centre poles or bracing – creating much more usable space on the same building footprint. The lesson here is that a building of the same dimensions doesn’t always offer as much usable space – it’s a big eye opener for some people planning a new shed.

 

5. CONSIDER DELAYS

When dealing with unpredictable factors, timing isn’t guaranteed. Your project can be delayed by a number of things including…

  • The weather; wet and windy weather can put construction on hold and cause delays if materials get too wet.
  • Council; resource consent, building consent, and site inspections can all take longer than expected due to your local council’s capacity and changing regulations.
  • Financing; it can take longer than expected to get finance approved as the banks have more lengthy processes and tougher rules in place than they used to.
  • Construction related; whether team members get sick or you request changes to the scope that delay things with new quotes or new trades, unexpected construction delays happen too.

 

Every project is different in terms of the challenges faced – going in with an understanding of what may possibly happen ensures you have realistic expectations and don’t get stuck needing your shed before it’s fully completed. At KiwiSpan, our team will communicate any timing changes as they come up, and are always available to you for discussions on the progress of your project.

There you have it, the top five ‘I wish I’d known’ topics we hear about. To avoid these common mistakes, it’s very beneficial to have a clear idea of how you’ll be using your new shed – that way our team of experts can help you ensure it functions as needed without incurring unnecessary costs.

When you’re ready for a discussion about the options, contact your local KiwiSpan licensee. Our experts can help you understand what you really need and customise your shed design accordingly

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

As 2022 draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on all of the amazing work we’ve done this year. While there is no end to the range of sheds the KiwiSpan team design and build, there are some types that are asked for again and again. So without further ado, are the top five sheds kiwis have built with us this year, and why they’re so popular.

 

1. STORAGE SHEDS. With the rise in remote and flexible working, New Zealanders are spending more time at home than ever before. So, in order to fully utilise their living spaces, homeowners have been looking for smarter storage solutions for their tools, knick-knacks and prized possessions. KiwiSpan’s customised shed designs mean you can tailor a storage shed to your unique needs. KiwiSpan’s storage sheds are in demand due to the wider clear span on offer versus many other shed suppliers – you can get up to eighteen metres clear, without obtrusive bracing or centre poles. You get more value for money when you build a storage shed with more usable interior space – that’s more top-to-bottom storage within the same floor space.

 

2. WORKSHOP SHEDS. These are buildings in which items are repaired or manufactured – either for personal or commercial purposes. Workshops have long been one of our most popular shed types due to their versatility and the complete customisation options available through KiwiSpan. KiwiSpan’s smart designs enable wider clear spans which is a great feature for many workshops… It means you get more storage space, more manoeuvrability, and more visibility under your roof.

 

3. COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. If you need to upgrade from your current business premise or build a space to start your new enterprise, KiwiSpan has a solution to suit. Retail centres, showrooms, offices, and workshops are just the beginning – our team works with you to customise the building to your unique needs. KiwiSpan is a popular choice with business owners as we use a heavier gauge steel and heavy duty bolts to make our sheds stronger and more durable… so you can get on with business knowing your premises will stand strong and look good for years to come.

 

4. AMERICAN BARNS. These sheds are chosen for their visual aesthetic – they’re a great option when you need a shed that doesn’t look like a shed. The American barn style offers good storage and high roof lines. Lots of customers have chosen to add mezzanine floors to their American barn to utilise the extra height for storage. Their unique appearance combined with versatility of use helps to make these a popular shed type for kiwis.

 

5. INDUSTRIAL SHEDS. These are a popular request for KiwiSpan because of the wide open spaces we can create. Building without obtrusive knee braces gives business owners more usable space and better visibility across the building – and thus, greater value under the roof. We build strong durable steel sheds that are designed to last, so business owners can rest easy knowing their premise will hold up to the daily usage and wear often experienced in industrial situations.

 

These are just a few of the most popular types of sheds we’ve built in 2022. Whilst different, they all have a few things in common:

  • Built with heavier gauge steel and grunty bolts as well as tek screws; KiwiSpan steel sheds are stronger and more durable.
  • No knee braces; so you get more usable space for storage and manoeuvrability, and greater visibility across your shed.
  • Fully customised design; KiwiSpan work with you to create a shed that fits on the land you have available, meets your budget, and is personalised to your needs in terms of size, shape, openings, colour, roof style etc. You can even work on the design yourself with KiwiSpan’s 3D Designer Tool – this online tool helps you create your own dream shed in minutes and gives you the freedom to play around with design changes while you consider all of the options available to you… and of course, your local KiwiSpan team is available to add their expertise to your project whenever you’re ready.

 

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

Glenn Richards is a seasoned car racing professional. After running out of room in a multi-purpose building, Glenn worked with KiwiSpan to design a dedicated space to house and work on the race cars. We talked to Glenn about his experience with KiwiSpan.

 

Why did you choose KiwiSpan?

I looked around town at who was building what. I’d seen KiwiSpan’s shop in town and their construction signs were around lots of new buildings – they seemed to be doing the sort of thing I was looking for. 

When I met with Rob, the local KiwiSpan sales guy, he asked what I needed in a building. He showed me lots of their work to compare styles and features – lots of valuable stuff came out of that and it really cemented the deal. Things just gelled with KiwiSpan.

I’d looked at another group too, and while their offering was comparable it just didn’t resonate. I felt more confident with KiwiSpan. I got a good referral for them too which helped to seal the deal.

I was looking for them to manage the project too and KiwiSpan could do that for me. I wouldn’t have the end result I got if I’d tried to do it myself. They knew what they were doing.

 

How did you find the design phase

It was pretty straight forward and all happened quite quickly. At that first meeting, we discussed the size, shape and layout I needed. We talked about how I’d use the space and the features I required, then pulled out elements I liked from other buildings KiwiSpan had designed before.

After that, Rob came back with a set of plans. That’s when we increased the stud height to create a usable mezzanine area. The plans were nearly done after that, as we got into the detail really quickly. We made a couple of small tweaks for window size and shape, then added in ventilation and some clear panels for natural light.

I really appreciated their input into the design and all sorts of features – it really helped.

 

Did they keep within budget

Yes. Once we had the design agreed I left them to the construction and project management. There were no changes to the plan so the final sum lined up with the quote. Rob was great during the design phase, always covering off cost implications so there was total transparency. It meant I felt in control of the cost.

 

Do you have any advice for other business owners looking for a new building

I’d recommend KiwiSpan to anyone looking for a purpose built shed – the way they went about things helped me make informed choices, and they gave me lots of options and features to consider. I got a better result by working with them – they were very professional. 

Listening to the experts is a really good idea. For anyone looking for a new building, I’d recommend they take their broad concepts to KiwiSpan and then be prepared to listen to what they’ve done before. It will give you lots of ideas and help you get the best possible value out of your new building.

Like Glenn, a customised steel shed may be just what your business needs. Contact us HERE today to get the ball rolling on your next project.

Background “I needed a new, purpose built workshop”

Glenn’s involvement in the car racing industry meant he needed a good amount of workshop space as well as storage area for car parts and mechanical equipment. He’d run out of space in his current barn which also housed his tractor and other non-racing equipment. Glenn was considering an extension when a conversation with his neighbour convinced him a new, standalone building would be a smarter choice. “It seemed obvious after that chat,” says Glenn. “A purpose-built space for the race cars was what I needed.”

 

Supplier selection “Things just gelled with KiwiSpan”

Glenn looked at the local options and decided to proceed with KiwiSpan. “They seemed to be doing the sort of thing I was looking for,” says Glenn. “And a good referral gave me confidence it was the right call,” he adds. 

“They asked what I needed in a building, and showed me lots of their work to compare styles and features – lots of valuable stuff came out of that and it really cemented the deal. Things just gelled with KiwiSpan.”

 

Design phase “I knew what I needed, but their input made the designs even better”

To Glenn, it was obvious where the new building had to go. He was based in the country and his piece of land had a relatively flat area near the existing shed. 

As a separate, standalone building Glenn could opt for a more modern aesthetic than the current building. He planned to keep the tractor and other things in the old shed, leaving this new building as a, dedicated space for the race cars. It would be clean, tidy, and dust free… and the exterior needed to emulate the clean modern tone.

“KiwiSpan helped enormously with the designs”, says Glenn. “With their expertise, I got the best possible outcomes for my money.” For example, when KiwiSpan told Glenn it wouldn’t cost much more for wider roller doors (only higher doors), he opted for really wide doors. “This has helped enormously with access and manoeuvrability,” says Glenn.

 

 

Another feature that added huge value to Glenn was the awning which extends over the roller doors. ”It’s added a lot more usable space by keeping the doors covered – if it’s raining you don’t lose any workspace or have to worry about things getting wet,” says Glenn. “The cantilever style was my idea – there’s no support poles to worry about the cars hitting. Visually, the lack of external structure makes things look really clear and tidy too.” Cladding the underside of the awning in white Colorsteel also helped with lighting the working areas. “The white surface reflects light down into the space, both during the day and night,” says Glenn.

Glenn needed a mezzanine level for extra storage space. Originally it didn’t fit in the plans so KiwiSpan worked with Glenn to raise the height of the whole building to accommodate a high functioning  mezzanine level. “It didn’t dramatically change the overall cost, but added value in many ways” says Glenn. “The extra height is great for bigger vehicles and in manoeuvring our car hoist. It’s also made the mezzanine more usable as we can stand up there and have more space to move large car parts around.

KiwiSpan designed a roller gate on the mezzanine lever to allow for easier access to the storage space. “Some large parts won’t fit up the stairwell, so this gate opens up the balustrade and now we can hoist big items straight up there,” says Glenn. “I’d requested a gate and KiwiSpan came back with this rolling gate suggestion – it’s better, more space efficient, than a swing gate. Their solution has worked, it’s good.”

A ventilation unit installed in the ceiling ensures heat doesn’t build up and fresh air continues to circulate. “It’s something I wanted – KiwiSpan estimated the price to gauge how serious I was, and then the quote came in very close,” says Glenn. “They were on the money, and I went with it.”

KiwiSpan also suggested underground pipework from the tank to the shed. “Little things like that were great,” says Glenn, who had assumed the pipes would run overground.

 

 

Construction “It was done really well, very professional”

One of the reasons Glenn had chosen KiwiSpan was that they could project manage the whole job – from getting quotes and council permits through to managing all the sub contractors. “They knew what was needed and just made it happen – all with complete transparency of costs,” says Glenn. “It meant that when it came to construction, I didn’t need to do anything except stay out of the way, and it worked.”

Built recently, Glenn’s project suffered delays due to Covid-19. “It was difficult to get going with all the supply issues,” says Glenn. “But KiwiSpan were very honest about the delays and timing – it was an evolving story and they kept the communication lines open.”

It was all done really well – very professionally managed,” says Glenn. “I wouldn’t have got the same result if I’d tried to do it myself.”

The sales guy at KiwiSpan had persuaded Glenn to paint the floor which he highly recommends to others now. “Poxy resin is such a pain, but you MUST do it,” says Glenn. “It really finished the shed.” With painted concrete floors, Glenn’s new shed looked better and became far easier to keep clean. “Various people have come to use this space but because it is clean and looks clean, they keep it that way,” he says.

 

 

Finished result… “It’s perfect – I’m very happy indeed”

With no changes during the construction phase, the final costs were in line with what had been agreed. “KiwiSpan were really good at always talking about the cost impact during design changes – they were really transparent so I knew what to expect all the way through,” says Glenn. 

It’s one thing seeing a design on paper and another thing altogether to use the finished building. “It’s working really well, in fact, it’s perfect,” says Glenn. Having a dedicated building for the race cars gave Glenn the clean, tidy space he needed, along with sufficient storage for the equipment and parts needed to maintain those cars. “It works really well – I’m very happy indeed,” says Glenn.

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

 

Being able to completely customise a storage shed means it is built to your exact needs. KiwiSpan is the choice for Kiwi home and section owners. Whatever it is you need to keep safe, KiwiSpan will work with you to create a shed design that delivers to your specific requirements.

 

Customised size, shape and layout

The size of your shed is an important factor and it is often your first priority, along with how you scale a design up or down. However it’s important to factor in the land and your storage needs, as a standard square or rectangular shape may not be the most suitable. With KiwiSpan, custom shaped sheds are standard practice for us and it’s no problem to tailor the shape and layout to cater to your unique storage requirements.

 

Openings such as doors and windows

Having the right sized doors in the right places makes it easier to access your stored items and keep them secure. Whether it’s hinged doors, sliding or roller doors, they can be installed along the sides to allow access for people, machinery and vehicles of all sizes. You can also choose to keep a side of the shed open, or add a lean to with open sides. Once we know what you need to store, we’ll work with you to tailor the openings to your needs.

 

Exterior finishes

Customising the exterior cladding style and colour can help you…

  • Blend your shed into the landscape.
  • Create a shed which aesthetically fits in with other buildings in close proximity.
  • Or simply design a shed that you visually like the look of! 

KiwiSpan has a range of cladding profiles and colours available, and your local KiwiSpan team is always happy to explore the options with you.

 

Roof styles 

The lines of your roof not only add to the visual aesthetic, but can also contribute to the internal space layouts. For example, it may be more practical to design a shed with a gable roof if you don’t have a lot of land to build on, as the higher roof line can allow for an internal mezzanine level for additional storage. In other situations, a larger shed with a straight roof may be the most suitable. Your local KiwiSpan team will help you understand the pros and cons of the different roof styles in relation to your land and storage requirements. 

When it comes to storing your valuables, consider a fully customised shed which can give you the best bang for your buck.

Whether you’re storing hobby gear, boats or caravans, farm implements, or other business goods, KiwiSpan has a customised shed solution for you. Contact us HERE today to get the ball rolling on your next project.

Fieldtorque started in 2006 and by 2012 the business was booming… it was time for a new building. A tractor and farm machinery business, Fieldtorque had started out in an old press printing building. “You’ve got to start somewhere, but it wasn’t ideal for a tractor shop” says Carl Hinton, General Manager and Director.

With more staff to support the growing business, Fieldtorque needed a bigger premise with a layout to better support their business operations. Their franchises were also putting pressure on the team about the appearance of the building… it was time to set a new standard with a more modern, appealing building to attract and welcome new customers.

“Word of mouth led us to Joel over at KiwiSpan – we talked to other companies as well, but it was Joel that won us over”, says Carl. “He was easy to get on with and understood us – we knew he’d be approachable for anything we needed to talk about during the project, and that was important to us”, adds Carl.

Fieldtorque initially looked at using their current site and changing the building around, but after looking at designs with Joel at KiwiSpan, quickly realised it was going to cost more, and even then, they’d still not get their ideal building. ”We talked to Joel about the designs for our site – it just wasn’t going to work. The land area wasn’t right and we’d need a new premise. It took until 2018 to get the right site”, says Carl.

Fieldtorque’s own builder started doing some demo work and clearing the site while building preparations got underway with the KiwiSpan team. The designs didn’t change much from when they’d originally discussed the business needs back in 2012. “Joel really understood what the building had to do for us – he pretty much nailed the design and all we changed were a few offices and hallways”, says Carl.

Fortunately, during the design phase Fieldtorque were thinking about the finished building and had already begun looking at signage. “We had a great looking sign proposal, but it didn’t fit the building. We talked to Joel and he was great – he lengthened the front of the building and changed the roof line to give us the best street frontage”, says Carl.

“We started building at the end of 2019 and put our original premise on the market. It sold faster than we expected and we had to move out… fast!” says Carl. At this stage, only the foundations had been poured.

“We rented a temporary site in town and asked Joel to prioritise building the workshop”, says Carl. “We knew this would delay the overall building timeframes, but it gave us a better location to operate from. Joel was magic. He pulled builders out of everywhere and got that workshop built ASAP for us.” Fieldtorque’s sales and support teams continued to work in town but importantly, they had a great facility for the heart of their operations, with their new workshop. “We worked out of two sites for about ten months”, says Carl.

“Joel was so approachable – it really helped us through this transition. He was easy to talk to, open to changing scope as needed, and he talked us through the options. The whole time, he was focused on what our business needed”, says Carl.

With the workshop up and running, Carl could see what was happening with the build on a daily basis. “I had questions all the time, and to be fair, they did too”, says Carl. “The various trades could ask me exactly how we wanted things, so we were able to make lots of small changes just by being there at the right time.”

“KiwiSpan’s foreman did a great job of staying on top of all the daily changes and feeding them back to Joel. The project management worked really well”, says Carl.

Once the walls were up, the Fieldtorque team realised a key meeting room wasn’t as big as they’d hoped. After talking through the options they made the decision to remove an adjoining office to allow for a much larger boardroom. “By this stage we felt really comfortable talking about anything with Joel and his foreman, so this was an easy conversation”, says Carl. “It cost us a bit extra in structure reworks but we’re super pleased we did it.”

Fieldtorque moved completely into their building in May 2021. “The new premise has exceeded our expectations – turnover has lifted due to the improved presence and sharp new look”, says Carl. “It’s nice to have people walk right in and feel welcome in our inviting, modern showroom.”

Fieldtorque are now getting on with business and enjoying their investment with KiwiSpan. “Knowing our premise is built to last with heavier steel and heavy duty bolts, means we can relax knowing the place won’t fall over”, says Carl. “We wanted to build the place properly and not worry about ongoing repairs and costly, distracting fixes all the time. We’d recommend KiwiSpan every time.”

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

Buildings require regular maintenance to ensure the lifespan of the components and to meet your warranty conditions. Your KiwiSpan steel shed is no different. Without programmed maintenance aspects of your shed may degrade due to the cumulative effects of…

 

  • Weather.
  • Airborne contaminants.
  • Grime.
  • Debris.
  • Corrosive atmosphere (due to NZ’s extensive coastline and the salt this disperses into the air).

 

It makes sense to get outdoor maintenance done in spring – it’s warmer to be outside, things start drying out after the cold damp of winter, and with warmer, more settled weather ahead you know your cleaning and maintenance efforts are likely to pay off for a few months to come.

 

Cleaning

This is possibly the most important maintenance task. We’re lucky that it rains a lot in New Zealand. Rain naturally washes your shed which helps prevent degradation, however the rain can’t reach all areas of your building and doesn’t wash everything away. We recommend many parts of your KiwiSpan steel shed be cleaned multiple times through the year. This is especially important for those areas where the rain doesn’t reach. Spring is a great time to do a bigger clean that includes both the areas which need more frequent cleaning, as well as those needing less regular manual cleaning. 

We suggest the following aspects be covered in your spring clean:

  • Areas where the rain isn’t able to naturally wash your building need to be cleaned more frequently. These areas include:
    • Undersides of gutters, fascias and soffits
    • Exterior walls under the eaves
    • Garage doors
    • Around flues and television aerials 
    • Around and under solar panels, walkways and platforms.
  • Gutters and spouting, which should be cleaned several times throughout the year too.
  • Look for areas where birds like to roost and ensure droppings are cleaned off.
  • Exterior walls – while these tend to need a little less manual cleaning (depending on your environment), they still need a clean to ensure no degradation and that your warranties are maintained.
  • Interior cleaning – remove any built up dust, grime, and debris. Be sure to remove animal nests and droppings too. This is particularly important for sheds in rural areas and on farms.

 

Cleaning methods

When cleaning steel sheds, KiwiSpan recommend either:

  • Using fresh water and a soft bristled nylon brush, or, 
  • Water blasting at pressures no more than 1000 psi.

If you have any lichen, fungus, or pollen, some cleaning solutions will be needed to properly remove the problem. Please consult your individual maintenance guide for information on cleaning products and how to deal with the problem in a way that won’t harm your shed. (On completion of a KiwiSpan shed, all new shed owners receive a maintenance guide which is specific to their shed.)

 

Rust checks

Visually inspect the structure and cladding for any signs of rust. KiwiSpan use galvanised steel coatings which come with fifteen years of corrosion protection; however it’s still important to check the cladding for rust. The galvanised coating is a sacrificial layer that protects the strong steel base underneath. This coating may be damaged by scrapes and bumps as well as longer term degradation due to the elements. 

Look for rust stains or the growth of rust spots – at the first sign of rust, talk to your local KiwiSpan team who’ll talk you through the appropriate maintenance coating system. 

At any stage, you can reference the full maintenance guide created by KiwiSpan for your unique shed. The good news is that with a KiwiSpan shed, you don’t need to get out sandpaper and paint brushes as part of your maintenance schedule!

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