STOP And Think BEFORE Buying Your New Garden Shed. What you should ask and check BEFORE buying

• Are the buildings you want to buy on display?
• How good is the timber cladding?
• Are the floor and roof SOLID timber – is there any chipboard?
• Can you choose your size and style of shed?
• Are the sheds delivered and installed FREE and delivered FREE?
• How thick is the framework?
• How tall are the buildings, are you a midget?
• What conditions are attached to the guarantee?
• Is the shed made in the UK and is it stockpiled?

With a large array of different timber cladding to choose from it’s important that you make the right choice to ensure the longest life for your new shed. Read About Quality of Timber Which Should Be Used

By deciding to buy from an established business you will find this is the best option as you can be sure that their expertise in the garden buildings industry is key to their success. Also, normally this will only happen when they have been selling the right buildings to their customers at the right price and this normally follows after listening to them. By choosing a business with a fixed ‘brick and mortar’ address’ is always good as you can actually be sure there is somewhere to contact if you need to.

If the business is only available on the internet then how can you be sure who they are and whether they will be here today, tomorrow and in the future. Having a fixed address is always a good thing to have and is reassuring if you need to contact them in the future. Sure – emails are great but you are dependent on these being responded to, and quickly.

How well designed and how strong the floor is made is important to the comfort and longevity of your new garden shed. Whether it’s a large wooden building or a small garden hut you need to check it out to ensure it will meet your demands. Read About What you MUST know about Wooden Floors

With a choice of roof styles, you need to ensure you understand the differences and the benefits of the different types. Also which one you like the look of. Read About Range of Styles and Sizes from 1st Choice Garden Buildings

You will find that most of the ‘cheap’ sheds will use Sterling board, chipboard or OSB board or Sterling board on the roofs and floors to save money. This would be fine in an ideal scenario but as soon as any damp gets into these boards (and being outside is nearly unavoidable) they will start to swell and then disintegrate. This will be the end of your shiny new man cave without any expensive repairs.

These sectional workshop companies know this so by saying their floors and roofs are made from ‘Sheet Materials’ they hope to hide the fact from you. They avoid using the words ‘sterling board, chipboard, OSB board, etc’ as they know it’s quite possible that there will be problems in the near future. Be VERY cautious if any OSB board etc is used on a roof as this will fail as soon as it gets wet.

Sheds tend to be quite heavy and can be hard work to build. You may like the challenge of building a shed but, if not, why not select the option of fully assembled sheds delivered to your home? All you need is a solid level base and a chair to relax in. We take the strain with our free delivery and assembly (*) service. Let our shed fitters do the hard work – how good is that? Why not have your shed built on site? 1st Choice wooden sheds are installed free of charge in green delivery areas *.

To cut costs the cheaper buildings will use horticultural glass (which is in essence – seconds) or worse still, plastic. This is actually ‘second-grade’ glass and you will normally be able to see defects in it. Away from the busy activity, it can be just about OK but on buildings which are being used regularly is it not better not to take any chances?

If horticultural glass smashes it breaks into jagged pieces and you certainly would not want your children or grandchildren getting hurt. Horticultural glass does reduce the cost of the building but is it worth the risk?

However, the better summerhouse manufacturers will, as standard, use toughened glass. A very good choice as well as peace of mind.

Read About Glass and Windows

Over the years the human race has been getting taller but no one bothered to tell some shed companies. They still make them for vertically challenged people. This may save a few pounds but is not so good for your head! Read About Height and Doors

The garden building is used traditionally through the warmer months and then, maybe, used as a storage place throughout the winter. Well, how about being able to use it all year round?

With a little added investment and then deciding on an insulated garden shed, you can use this wonderful building all year round. Your children can be out from under your feet and they can use it as their own with their computer games, music or chilling with their friends. Mum or Dad could use it as a ‘man cave’ or ‘she den’ for their own hobbies or pastimes.

Or an insulated garden workshop or shed could be used as a home mini-factory for your business and if so, the cost would be tax deductible which is a ‘win-win’ for you. More …..

Many shed companies shout from the hills about their extra-long guarantees and warranties! HOWEVER, they are not all that they seem. With VERY strict conditions which must be adhered these guarantees can often be worthless. Read About What you MUST Know about Guarantees and Where your Building will be Made