A Full Build or Kitset Shed? Balancing Your Options

We’ve been pioneers in the New Zealand shed and outdoor building industry for almost 20 years and a question that comes up fairly often is what exactly the difference between the kitset and full build processes is. 

Both of these options have their own merits with the key difference being who constructs the shed. KiwiSpan can guide you through both of these processes, whether you choose to let us spearhead the project or have your own licensed builder construct the shed. Ultimately, we want to help you to make the decision which is best for you and your needs. 

 

To clarify on the terms ‘full build’ and ‘kitset’: 

Full build: You leave all the heavy lifting to us (literally) and we will have a KiwiSpan contractor construct your shed. 

Kitset: You employ your own licensed builder to construct the shed. 

 

If you find yourself conflicted about which route to go down, you may want to sit down with one of our experienced licensees to talk through the different options. However, it’s important to note that there isn’t any difference in materials for either of these processes, you will receive exactly the same materials either way. 

We believe in giving you the flexibility to construct your shed in the manner that you please so we offer both kitset and full build options. If you do choose to go with the kitset approach, the KiwiSpan team will be available to support you and/or your licensed builder along the way. 

If you do decide to choose the path of a full build with KiwiSpan you will have the benefit of letting our team take care of all the stress. With the full build, KiwiSpan takes care of organising a building team so that you don’t have to worry about the logistics. Plus, you’ll have the benefit of having the experienced KiwiSpan team behind you who have built hundreds of sheds over the years – making your build less of a headache. 

As if building with KiwiSpan wasn’t easy enough, we are also committed to keeping to both timeframe and budget. We’ve been building sheds for almost 20 years so we have an established way of doing things and our project managers will always keep you in the loop, helping to ensure that you feel confident about your build. 

 

Still not sure? 

Ultimately, the choice between Full Build and Kitset comes down to your own personal preference. So, whether you have your own building team or you would rather use one of ours, KiwiSpan can make your plans a reality and craft the perfect shed for you. 

Get in touch with us today so we can work together to make your dream shed a reality. 

 

 

Shedquarters: Make Working From Home Work For You

Shedquarters are growing in popularity amongst homeowners across New Zealand, but what exactly is a shedquarter and how could having one benefit you?

 

The first question you may be asking yourself right now is ‘what exactly is a shedquarter’? Essentially, a shedquarter is just another way of describing a tiny space in your backyard. Unlike a standard backyard garden shed which is typically only large enough to store your tools and maybe a lawnmower, a shedquarter is well constructed and acts more as an office space or retreat room which you can escape to in order to relax or focus. 

With COVID-19 forcing many people to work from home and children having to take school classes online, some people found their homes getting a bit crowded and opted to install a shedquarter in their backyard. Despite most of us having returned back to work these backyard offices are still an excellent way to create an inspiring and productive space that is close to home yet totally unique and separate from the rest of your house. They’re great for people who work remotely to have a space to escape to away from the distractions within their home. 

When you’re considering the design of the shedquarter it’s important to consider the visual elements including the colour, cladding, personalisations, and how it will fit in with your home and garden. Our environment has a huge impact on our energy levels, moods, and productivity so designing an effective space can be a total game changer. 

What style would you want the interior of your shedquarter to be? Is your preferred look cosy and decorative? Or do you lean more towards a minimalist and stylish aesthetic? Do you find yourself captivated by the latest design trends, or do you strive for classic elegance? A good place to begin is by deciding whether you lean towards modern or traditional stylings. If you like patterns, rich velvety colours, and lots of details then a traditional style could be perfect for you. However, if your personal style favours crisp colours, clean lines, and open space then you may be leaning towards modern design. 

Your design choices for your KiwiSpan shedquarter isn’t solely limited to the interior. We offer a fully customisable design experience which puts the power of choosing the size, cladding, doors, windows, roofing and colour scheme in your hands. We know that you don’t want to settle for a run of the mill shed, and with us, you don’t have to. 

Versatile and functional, KiwiSpan shedquarters are designed and built in New Zealand using high-grade materials and are completely customisable to your needs. With your existing landscape in mind, we work with you to create the perfect space for you to work, relax, and play. 

 

Explore our range of quality steel sheds today

 

Here’s How to Maintain Your New Shed

No matter the season, shed maintenance is vital but in winter it can be a particularly tough time for your shed. From strong gusty winds to heavy rain and even snow, your shed will need to resist and stand up against harsh weather.

Whether you’re looking after a simple garden shed or a large structure, we have you covered with some handy tips for keeping your shed maintained and prolonging its lifespan:

 

Check the gutters

KiwiSpan sheds are known for their robust quality and durability which makes them ideal for a variety of purposes. They’re designed to hold up against the elements, making them an enduring solution all year round.
One of the many great things about steel sheds is that they don’t require a lot of maintenance. However, to make sure that your shed remains in tip top condition you’ll need to keep an eye on the gutters. Firstly, you’re going to want to make sure that all of the gutters are still firmly attached to the structure and remove debris including leaves, branches, twigs and other miscellaneous debris that has gotten caught.

 

Watch out for damage

Whether it’s a cracked window, hole or dent, it’s important to fix problems as soon as they happen. However, sometimes issues aren’t obvious so you need to be proactive with your approach to looking out for future issues in order to prevent them.

 

Roof maintenance

As with your home, inspecting the roof of your shed for any leaks or damage is also important. If you don’t keep an eye on this, leaks in the roof could allow water to drip into your shed and damage what’s inside. Even if your roof seems to be in good condition, water can still make its way in so look out for discolouration on the ceiling and walls which may indicate that water is getting in.

Like with the gutters, it’s important to keep the roof of your shed clear too. If you live somewhere that experiences snowfall you will need to keep on top of removing it as excess snow and debris can cause weight issues and the constant presence of moisture can be damaging to your roof.

 

Keep the pests out

Have insects or rodents made themselves at home in your shed? Not only can this be annoying to you but they can also play a role in the deterioration of both your shed and what you’re storing inside of it.

To keep your shed free from pests here are some handy tips:

• Keep the grass around the perimeter of the shed trimmed.
• Don’t stack firewood against the outside of the shed.
• Don’t store rubbish inside the shed as it will attract insects and rodents.
• Sweep or vacuum your shed semi-regularly. Pests like to settle in places which seem undisturbed so having a regular cleaning schedule will help keep them out.

 

Okay shed owners now you’ve got some tips and tricks to keep your shed maintained. However, maybe your current shed is in such a state that you’re considering a new one or perhaps you’re considering a second shed. Either way, KiwiSpan offers a great range of fully customisable sheds to meet your exact needs.

Explore our range of quality steel sheds today

Kiwi’s Most Loved Sheds Some Great Things About Buying Kiwi-Made… Putting Together the Perfect Workshop

The list of people who could benefit from having their own workshop is a lengthy one. Whether you’re an avid hobbyist or creating things in the garage is literally how you pay the bills, your life will only be made easier from having a reliable workspace. 

The problem is, however, a great workshop is much more than just a space set aside for work. A perfect workshop should be built for purpose, efficiently laid out and containing everything you need to get your work done as effectively as possible. 

At KiwiSpan, we believe that the best approach to creating such a workspace is a custom one. When working with a customer, we make sure we get a full understanding of what they want and need, and create a workspace that will allow them to achieve this. 

Here are a few things to consider to help determine what you’ll need to create your ideal workspace: 

 

Sizing

Many shed building companies only offer standardised shed sizes. KiwiSpan, however, allows you to design a shed to whatever size you need. As a bonus, our sheds don’t need a centre pole to remain standing, which means you’ll have more space for fixtures and storage. 

Finding the ideal size itself is a bit of a balancing act. You’ll want to ensure that there’s enough space for everything you’ll need (tools, machinery, etc) plus adequate working space for yourself. On the other hand, you’ll have to take into account that most councils require your shed to be spaced its own height in distance from all boundaries on your property (e.g. a 3m tall shed will need to be 3m away from the nearest fence). Aim for somewhere in the middle. 

 

Fixtures

You’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary workspaces sorted too. Even if it’s just a simple workbench, make sure there’s more than enough space to work and play in. 

Overestimation of how much space you’ll need is never a bad thing – we speak from experience when we say that none of our customers are ever upset by having too much space. 

For those of you with more ambitious projects in mind, you’ll want to take stock of what machinery you’ll need – and whether it requires storage or if it will need to be built into the workshop itself.

Lastly, but absolutely not least – health and safety. Sure, it’s not the most exciting thing to think about, but it’s particularly important when it comes to workshops – be it an emergency off switch or a dust extractor. 

After all, the perfect workshop should be one that doesn’t involve injuries right? 

 

Has this helped you determine what sort of workshop you’d like? Get in touch here to make it a reality!

 

Why Custom is Always King

These days, there are more options than ever when it comes to building and owning a shed. And if you’ve been thinking about becoming a shed owner, you’ve probably taken a gander at some of the different options on offer. 

We’re pretty confident that custom made sheds (such as ours) are still the way to go (and we’re not being biased, we promise). 

 

Here’s why:

 

Customizable to hobbies

Firstly, the great thing about getting a custom shed means it’s made specifically for you. Sure, you might not be the only person who plans on getting a shed, but your specific needs could be totally different from those of the next shed owner. 

Are you looking for a new home office space? We can do that. Or maybe you’re hoping to make your shed into a space for that specific hobby of yours. Talk to us, we can probably offer plenty of customisation that’ll help you do what you want to do. Pre-built options, on the other hand, can only offer a one-size-fits-all approach. And sometimes – that’s not enough. 

 

Colour and design

Another advantage of getting a custom shed made for you is that you get some input on the design and colour. KiwiSpan has several design options on offer.

Perhaps you’re looking to match your home or another building on the property. Or maybe you have a particular colour in mind?

We can help you implement any design choices you’d like to see with your shed, all in order to bring to life something that is truly yours.

 

Durability

We pride our sheds on their ability to withstand the elements too.

Despite its relatively small size, New Zealand weather can vary pretty drastically depending on the region you’re in. And since most places in the country are relatively close to the water, buildings have to be resistant to high levels of salt in our air. Furthermore, due to that big old hole in the ozone layer above us, we’ve also got to make buildings that can stand intense, direct UV rays. 

In short – buildings in New Zealand need to be built to withstand the elements. We understand this and ensure our sheds are always up to the task.

We speak from experience when we say owning a shed is awesome – but if you are having to replace or perform unneeded maintenance each passing year, that feeling will diminish in no time.

Get a shed that can hold its own against whatever the environment throws at it – we know ours can. 

 

Convinced? Feel free to browse our range of sheds and check our 3D shed designer to explore some of the possibilities on offer here.