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Click on images below to see larger versions of garden sheds
Click on images below to see larger versions of garden sheds
Click on images below to see larger versions of garden sheds
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Why Choose A 1st Choice Leisure Buildings Shed?
At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we supply high-quality garden sheds in the UK, constructed for durability, style, and long-term value. Unlike mass-produced sheds, our Diamond, Sapphire, and Platinum ranges are produced in partnership with specialist UK manufacturers, offering possibilities to match every budget.
All of our wooden and concrete garden sheds include free professional installation, saving you time and additional costs. You can also visit our Guildford and Woking showroom to explore our buildings in person and customise your shed, from size and layout to windows and paint finishes.
Premium Timber Garden Sheds Our bespoke sheds are built using high-grade timber, not OSB or lower-quality materials. This delivers a stronger structure, better appearance, and longer lifespan.
Insulated Sheds Upgrade your shed with optional insulation, ideal for creating a garden office, gym, or outdoor living space that can be used year-round.
Toughened Glass Windows Our Diamond, Sapphire and Platinum ranges feature toughened glass windows, providing natural light while improving safety and durability. Custom Colours & Finishes Choose from a wide range of painted shed finishes, designed to resist fading and protect your building in all weather conditions. Fast Delivery Across the UK We offer clear lead times, with most sheds delivered within 2–8 weeks, depending on your location.
As a family-run UK business, we pride ourselves on honest pricing, expert advice, and sheds built to last—without misleading warranties. Contact us today or visit our Surrey showroom to design your perfect garden shed.
Understanding Planning Permission: A Simple Guide for Garden Shed Owners
Many people dream of having a shed in their garden. It gives you space to store your gardening tools, mower, and other equipment. In the UK, planning permission is often a worry. Many people wonder whether they can build a garden shed without encountering problems.
The answer is, “It depends.” Thanks to changes in the law, many garden sheds no longer need planning permission. This guide will help you understand the rules about planning permission for garden buildings. By the end, you’ll know if you need permission for your new shed.
Planning Permission: What Are Your Rights for Building a Garden Shed?
In 2008, the Labour government introduced the Town and Country Planning Act. The goal was to modernise old planning rules and make it easier for people in England to make changes to their homes. Many strict planning rules were removed almost overnight, surprising people across the country. Homeowners felt they had more control over their own property again.
The new rules said that local planning officials could not stop building projects if they met certain standards. This meant people could build garden structures at home as long as they followed the rules. The law covered more than just garden sheds. It also included cabins, garages, and greenhouses. People could build these outbuildings if they improved their homes. More details on our Do I need planning permission page.
Understanding the Causes of Condensation in Sheds and How to Stop It
The joy of developing a garden comes from its overall vision and management habits. Refining pathways, developing flower beds, and patiently growing vegetables are practices that can be deeply satisfying to plan and complete.
While gardening is a hobby to nurture, it also presents exciting challenges. How can you keep your soil rich during a warm summer? How might you protect against pests? These are not just hurdles but opportunities to showcase your skills and dedication. How might you maintain your garden buildings?
This last question is increasingly relevant to the upkeep of your garden utilities. Many garden sheds, summerhouses, garden rooms, workshops, freestanding garages, and outbuildings are built from robust materials and offer weather-resistant treatments, but constant exposure to the elements may affect them.
One of these effects is condensation, a problem many are familiar with in their own homes. It is essential to find solutions to prevent condensation and its effects in a humid growing environment, especially in a space with less ventilation than your home and without slate roofing.
Our helpful guide is a comprehensive resource for understanding condensation in sheds and tackling it for good:
The Ultimate Guide To Building A Shed Base
Wooden sheds are a must-have addition to any traditional British garden. These sanctuaries allow you to enjoy the seasons in all their splendour while being protected from the sun, wind, and rain.
However, if you want them to last, you must understand how to lay the foundation. A poor foundation can lead to condensation problems inside, causing dampness and potential damage. It may also decompose from the ground up, tip over, or fall victim to the wind if you don’t.
When constructing a garden structure, bases are essential for stability and durability. Without a solid foundation, the structure is prone to shifting and settling, with long-term consequences.
A proper base provides a level, strong surface for the shed and spreads the shed’s weight and its contents over the full area. It also ensures that the building is raised off the ground.
Overall, investing in a strong foundation is critical to a building’s stability and longevity. They still need a solid foundation that will allow them to function indefinitely. Without it, they will not survive.
You won’t have to build your shed foundation alone – our guide walks you through the different types of bases for garden buildings, the steps to create one, how to choose a contractor for base construction, and tips for ongoing repair and maintenance. Everything you need is right here in our base guide.
The Ultimate Garden Shed Guide: How to Choose Yours
If you buy a garden building, you have a broad range of companies to choose from, offering an extensive range of pricing and quality. HOWEVER, you need to know that your outbuilding is built to last.
Many companies provide their structures WITHOUT the option to view them, so until they arrive, you have no idea of how good or BAD your purchase is. We invite you to visit our large showrooms, where you can see the QUALITY Diamond and Platinum heavy-duty sheds and workshops in situ for YOUR INSPECTION.
You are welcome to make up your mind by physically examining them BEFORE you decide. If any company doesn’t provide this opportunity, it may be wise to proceed with CARE.
We have sheds for sale at our Surrey display rooms, and we suggest viewing them beforehand if possible. We are confident and happy to display our products before you spend a penny of your hard-earned money. Our support staff can discuss your requirements and offer practical, no-obligation advice.
The other BONUS that makes us unique is that we ASSEMBLE the Diamond and Platinum wood garden buildings for you FREE of charge, ensuring your building is expertly erected and ready to use. Find our more with our shed buying guide.
FAQs For Garden Sheds
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Can this building be modified or made in different sizes?
It is no problem to alter our buildings to suit your needs. Just let us know what your precise needs are, and we will endeavour to help. Also, may be made in different sizes to suit your garden.
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Can you put a shed on paving slabs?
Garden sheds are a must-have feature for every typical British garden. These sanctuaries allow you to appreciate the seasons’ glory while also giving shelter from the sun, wind, and rain. However, if you want your shed to last, you must learn how to build its foundation. Otherwise, it may decay from the ground up, topple over, or succumb to the wind. Your options are paving slabs, a concrete base, timber beams or a timber subframe. Fortunately, you will not have to learn how to build a garden shed on your own. This
guide is here to help. It discusses the various types of bases for garden buildings, how to construct them, who to hire for base construction, and how to repair and maintain your installation. Everything you need is in one location.
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How long should a garden shed last?
The lifespan of a garden shed can vary depending on several factors, such as the materials used, quality of construction, climate, and maintenance. However, according to various sources, the average lifespan of a garden shed is between 20 and 30 years.
The quality of the materials used can make a large difference. And also be wary about buying a shed which use certain man made boards such as OSB (oriental strand board). These boards have been known to disintegrate when they get wet. Not very good for an outside building.
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How much space should I leave between a shed and a fence?
In the UK, you can place a shed right up to the property line (right next to the fence), but you must not allow any part of the shed to overhang into the neighbour's garden. However, the shed must not be more than 2.5m tall. It is recommended, however, to leave about 0.5m to allow for maintenance and repairs.
Having said that, it is still important to check local council regulations as well as to check the deeds to our home, as there may be restrictions in them. It is always a good policy to have a chat with your neighbour before putting up a shed.
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Is it cheaper to build your own garden shed
If you are thinking of building your own garden shed, it is possible, and you can save money in some instances. You would need to shop around for the best prices on materials, but bear in mind not to buy cheaply. That is never a good policy. Remember that the final cost will depend on factors such as the size of the shed, the materials used, You need to think of the tools required as well as the time. Can you justify the time spent? However, you can make the shed exactly as you want, but many shed companies, such as 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, will do that for you. They will also assemble the shed for you. Ultimately, you need to justify the time and cost for your circumstances.
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Is it possible to build your own shed?
It is reasonably easy to assemble the smaller sheds if someone can help you move the panels around whilst you screw them together. However, it is very important that you take your time and do the job correctly. This is vitally important with the fixing of the roof and the felting of it. If you get it wrong water may get onto your building and damage your possessions. Not a good idea.
However, as standard, 1st Choice includes free installation of the building which is a far better idea. This saves you a lot of hard work and ensures it is built correctly which will help its long life.
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What is the average cost of a garden shed?
The cost of a medium-sized shed of 6 x 8 feet can range from £550 to £1400 for supply costs alone, while a large metal shed of 8 x 10 feet can cost between £650 to £700 for supply costs. Labour costs can range from £150 to £450, depending on the size of the shed.
However, it is worth noting that prices may vary depending on the location of the supplier or installer, and the quality of the materials used. Like everything, price should not be the only criteria. It can be like comparing a basic family car with a Ferrari. Always try and view before deciding.
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Why is viewing a shed in person essential before purchasing?
With the internet, it's often difficult to see what your new building will be like. This is why it's essential to view examples before delivery. This way, you can see how well it's been made, whether there is sufficient head height, whether the doors and windows are solidly made and how good the timber is Whilst some internet-only companies may claim it's best to buy online, it is only sometimes possible to be sure what you are getting. If they are not prepared to let you see their buildings beforehand, then be wary. At our company, we prioritise transparency and customer satisfaction by allowing clients to visit our showrooms and inspect our buildings in advance. The cheapest price is only sometimes the best value. 1st Choice Showrooms are near Woking, Ripley & Guildford in Surrey and showcase their very high-quality buildings.
From £1449
