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Why Trust 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
Choosing a garden building is an investment, so it's important to buy from a company you can rely on. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we've been helping customers find the right garden sheds, summerhouses, log cabins, garden offices and workshops
since 1979 when
Robin Antill opened the doors. As a
family-run business, we believe in offering honest advice rather than a hard sell. We take the time to understand what you need and help you choose a building that suits your garden, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
Our approach is reflected in our
4.9 Trustpilot rating, where customers regularly mention our friendly, helpful service. We only work with manufacturers we trust, selecting buildings that offer good quality, durability and value for money. Most are made from
FSC®-certified timber and built to cope with the British weather. If you'd rather see a building before you buy, you're welcome to visit one of the
UK's largest garden building display sites. 1st Choice – Known For Quality – Loved For Design - Since 1979
Being able to compare different models and talk things through with our experienced team helps many customers make the right decision. Since 1979, we've supplied over 50,000 buildings across the UK, building our reputation on quality products, straightforward advice and customer service you can depend on. We are always available to meet your needs or requirements so
contact us NOW if you would like help or advice.
We live quite far away; is it really worth visiting our show rooms? Absolutely!
We strongly urge anyone looking for a new building – whether it's a new garden shed, summerhouse, workshop, garage, or a full garden room – to
visit and inspect the quality in person before committing to any purchase.
Seeing the craftsmanship, materials and finishes for yourself is the best way to make a confident and informed decision.
Whilst we cannot display everything we offer, we have carefully selected around 80 different buildings that allow us to demonstrate almost every feature, design option, and construction detail in one form or another.
This allows you to compare styles, sizes and specifications, ask any questions you may have, and find the building that best suits your needs.
So, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting.
Click here to see what buildings on display. If you are unsure then
why not walk through our site virtually using our walk through tour below (or
click here to open in a new full screen window). Which Bespoke Garden Shed Should I Choose?
A bespoke garden shed allows you to choose a building that suits your available space and intended use rather than compromising with a standard shed. Our Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum ranges offer different levels of specification. At the same time, the Southampton and Fareham buildings are particularly suited to customers looking for a substantial, higher-specification shed, hobby room or workshop-style building.
| Feature | Sapphire | Diamond | Platinum | Southampton & Fareham |
| Best for | Quality pressure-treated sheds, storage and hobbies | Maximum size choice, value and bespoke flexibility | Higher-specification sheds and specialist designs | Large sheds, workshops and more regular use |
| Price position | ££ | £ | ££–£££ | £££ |
| Construction | Pressure-treated timber | Quality redwood timber with substantial framing | Higher-specification construction varies by model | Heavy-duty pressure-treated timber construction |
| Framing | Approx. 44mm × 34mm finished framing | Approx. 45mm × 45mm finished vertical framing | Varies according to building | Approx. 70mm × 34mm finished framing |
| Insulation | Full insulation option on selected buildings | Not normally the main reason for choosing the range | Available on suitable models | Full insulation option available |
| Bespoke flexibility | Good | Excellent | Excellent on suitable models | Excellent |
| Best reason to choose | You want pressure-treated construction and useful upgrade options without moving to the largest workshop-style buildings | You want maximum choice of sizes and layouts at a competitive price | You need a more specialist or higher-specification bespoke building | You want a substantial pressure-treated building with heavier framing and insulation potential |
Specifications vary between individual models, sizes and configurations. The best range depends on the required size, intended use, and selected options.
Reasons to Choose a Sapphire Bespoke Shed
Sapphire is a strong choice when you want a quality pressure-treated timber shed with more specification options than a straightforward storage building. The range is particularly suitable for garden storage, hobbies and customers who value long-lasting pressure-treated construction.
Why Might Sapphire Be Right for You?
- You want pressure-treated timber cladding, framing and floor construction.
- You want a shed primarily for storage but may also spend time working inside it.
- You want a choice of door and window arrangements.
- You may want double glazing, opening windows or additional security options.
- You want the option of insulation on a suitable building.
- You want a step up in specification without necessarily needing a large workshop.
Choose Sapphire if: pressure-treated construction and useful upgrade options matter more to you than having the widest possible choice of building sizes.
Reasons to Choose a Diamond Bespoke Shed
Diamond is particularly strong when size, layout, flexibility and value are your priorities. The range covers compact garden storage through to much larger sheds and workshops, making it a useful starting point when an ordinary standard-sized shed will not fit your requirements.
Why Might Diamond Be Right for You?
- You need an unusual width, depth or overall building size.
- You want flexibility over doors and windows.
- You need a large storage shed or workshop without unnecessarily increasing the specification.
- You want quality redwood timber construction.
- You need double doors for machinery, bicycles or garden equipment.
- You want excellent value for a bespoke timber building.
- You do not need full insulation as a priority.
Choose Diamond if: you want to maximise the size and usefulness of your bespoke shed while keeping the specification and price appropriate for storage, DIY or hobby use.
Reasons to Choose a Platinum Bespoke Shed
Platinum is worth considering when you want to move beyond a conventional garden shed and require a higher or more specialist specification. The range includes buildings designed around different uses, giving you greater scope when the shed will be used for more than straightforward garden storage.
Why Might Platinum Be Right for You?
- You want a higher-specification garden building.
- You have a specialist use in mind rather than simple storage.
- You want more options for comfort and regular use.
- You may require insulation on an appropriate model.
- You want a building that can combine storage with hobby or practical working space.
- You are prepared to invest more where the additional specification provides a genuine benefit.
Choose Platinum if: your requirements go beyond a conventional shed and the building's specification is as important as its overall dimensions.
Reasons to Choose Southampton or Fareham
Southampton and Fareham are particularly suitable when you need a large, substantial pressure-treated building. Available in sizes from approximately 8×6 to 20×16 ft, they combine heavier pressure-treated framing with wide double doors, opening toughened-glass windows and full insulation options.
These features make Southampton and Fareham particularly useful when a bespoke shed is going to double as a workshop, craft room, hobby space or somewhere you expect to spend several hours at a time.
Why Might Southampton or Fareham Be Right for You?
- You need a large shed or workshop-style building.
- You want heavier pressure-treated framing.
- You want pressure-treated cladding and flooring.
- You need wide double doors for machinery or bulky equipment.
- You want opening windows for natural light and ventilation.
- You expect to spend significant time inside the building.
- You want the option of full wall, floor and roof insulation.
- You need flexibility over the positioning of doors and windows.
Choose Southampton or Fareham if: you want your bespoke shed to function as a substantial working building rather than primarily as somewhere to store garden equipment.
Which Bespoke Shed Is Best for Your Needs?
| Your Main Requirement | Our Starting Recommendation |
| Best value and maximum size flexibility | Diamond |
| Unusual or bespoke dimensions | Diamond |
| General garden storage | Diamond or Sapphire |
| Pressure-treated construction | Sapphire or Southampton & Fareham |
| Storage plus occasional hobby use | Sapphire |
| Higher or specialist specification | Platinum |
| Large workshop-style shed | Southampton & Fareham |
| Heavy-duty pressure-treated framing | Southampton & Fareham |
| Full insulation option | Sapphire or Southampton & Fareham |
| Regular workshop or craft use | Southampton & Fareham |
The Simple Answer
Choose Diamond if bespoke size, flexibility and value are your main priorities.
Choose Sapphire if you want a pressure-treated garden shed with useful options for insulation, glazing and more regular use.
Choose Platinum when you need a higher or more specialist specification and your requirements extend beyond conventional garden storage.
Choose Southampton or Fareham when you need a larger, heavier-duty pressure-treated building that can function as a serious workshop, hobby room or regularly used garden workspace.
The best bespoke shed is not necessarily the most expensive building. It is the one that gives you the size, construction and features you will actually use. Start by deciding what will go inside the building, how frequently you will use it and whether insulation, pressure treatment, wide doors or additional working space will provide a genuine benefit.
Explore our bespoke garden sheds or visit our Surrey garden building display site to compare different specifications and construction methods before deciding.
Bespoke Sheds Made to Fit Your Garden and the Way You Use It
A bespoke shed is a garden building made or adapted around your required size, layout and use rather than forcing you to accept a fixed standard specification. It can be particularly useful when a standard building will not make the best use of the available space, when doors or windows need to be positioned in a particular place, or when the shed will have more than one purpose.
At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, our made-to-measure wooden shed options allow you to choose a building around the space available and the job it needs to do. Depending on the range, choices can include overall dimensions, apex or pent roof designs, door positions, window positions, double doors, cladding, colour finishes and insulation. Our bespoke wooden sheds use redwood deal timber rather than cheap whitewood and are constructed on substantial framing, with toughened glass used where windows are included.
The result should not simply be a standard shed with a different label. A well-planned custom shed starts with your usable garden space, access requirements and intended use, and then works backwards to the most practical dimensions and specification.
When Is a Bespoke Shed Worth Choosing?
A made-to-measure shed makes most sense when the garden or intended use dictates the building rather than the other way round. For example, you may have an unusually wide but shallow space, a narrow area beside a garage, restricted access, an existing patio or base to work with, or a particular position from which you want to enter the building.
Customisation can also be worthwhile when what you intend to put inside determines the layout. A lawnmower needs a different entrance from hand tools. Bicycles need convenient access. A workbench needs usable wall space and correctly positioned windows. Gardening activities may benefit from natural light, while valuable equipment may be better kept behind fewer windows.
If your main requirement already fits a specialist type of building, it is worth comparing the appropriate dedicated range first. For example, see our potting shed options, cycle storage buildings, motorcycle storage buildings and garden hobby and leisure buildings. A bespoke shed is the better route when none of those standard configurations quite answers the problem.
What Can You Change on a Made-to-Measure Shed?
The precise options depend on the individual shed range, but the useful question is not simply “What extras can I add?” It is “Which parts of the specification need to change to make this building work properly for me?” Those changes commonly concern dimensions, orientation, access, light, roof style, appearance and the level of comfort required inside.
Custom Shed Size
Start with the maximum practical footprint rather than an assumed catalogue size. Measure the available width and depth carefully and allow enough room for installation, roof overhangs, opening doors and future maintenance. Our bespoke range includes buildings in many sizes, with options on relevant models extending from compact buildings up to substantial structures. If overall capacity is your priority, our dedicated larger building range is also worth comparing.
Door Position and Access
Door position can make more difference to everyday usability than adding another foot to the building. Decide what the largest item passing through the entrance will be and where it needs to go once inside. Double doors can make sense for lawnmowers, machinery and bulky furniture, while a single door can preserve more usable wall space for shelves or a bench.
Window Position and Natural Light
Windows should be positioned according to how the shed will be used. Natural daylight is useful over a workbench or hobby area, but maximum glazing is not automatically better for a storage building containing expensive equipment. Where supplied on our relevant timber ranges, toughened glass provides a more substantial glazing specification.
Apex, Pent or Alternative Roof
An apex roof provides a traditional appearance and useful central headroom. In contrast, a pent roof can work particularly well where the building is positioned beside a wall, fence or boundary. For an awkward narrow position, you may also want to look at our space-saving building options. If extra character or usable internal height is important, our Dutch barn designs provide another alternative.
Cladding and Timber Specification
Do not compare sheds using the external dimensions and price alone. Look at the timber species, framing, wall construction, floor, roof and glazing specification. Our bespoke wooden shed ranges use redwood deal rather than cheap whitewood, with substantial framing. If the wall construction itself is one of your priorities, compare the information on our interlocking timber clad buildings and pressure-treated timber options.
Colour and Exterior Finish
A factory-applied or specified colour can help a new building complement fencing, planting or the house rather than looking like an afterthought. If colour is central to your decision, our finished timber building range shows the options in greater detail. Always remember that colours displayed on screens can vary, so a physical sample is preferable where the precise shade is important.
Insulation for More Regular Use
If you expect to spend extended periods inside rather than visit the building to retrieve equipment, consider the complete specification rather than adding insulation as an afterthought. Insulation, lining, ventilation, glazing and the floor and roof construction all influence comfort. See our dedicated insulated building range if year-round usability is an important part of the brief.
Bespoke Shed vs Standard Shed: Which Should You Buy?
| Consideration | Bespoke or Made-to-Measure Shed | Standard Shed |
| Dimensions | Can be selected or adapted around the available space on suitable ranges. | Normally limited to predetermined sizes. |
| Door position | Greater scope to choose the position that gives practical access. | Usually fixed by the model. |
| Window position | Can often be planned around light, privacy and internal layout. | Usually supplied in a predetermined configuration. |
| Awkward garden spaces | Particularly useful where ordinary dimensions waste space. | Best where a conventional footprint already fits comfortably. |
| Specialist use | Can be planned around equipment, storage, hobbies or work areas. | Suitable where the intended use is straightforward. |
| Ordering process | Requires more thought about dimensions and specification before ordering. | Usually quicker to select where no alterations are required. |
| Best reason to choose it | You want the building to fit the garden and the intended use. | A standard model already provides everything required. |
Neither approach is automatically better. If an existing design fits the space and already has the right doors, windows and specification, there is little value in changing it simply for the sake of calling it bespoke. Custom construction becomes valuable when it solves a real problem or makes the finished building noticeably easier to use.
How to Specify a Bespoke Shed Before Ordering
The most successful orders normally begin with measurements and intended use rather than appearance. Measure the space at more than one point, particularly in older gardens where fences and boundaries may not be perfectly square. Note nearby walls, trees, gutters, drains and anything that could obstruct delivery or installation.
Next, list what will actually be kept or done inside. Measure bulky equipment and think about the route it will take through the doorway. If a workbench, shelving or machinery will stay permanently inside, mark its approximate position before deciding where the doors and windows belong. This simple exercise can reveal layout problems before the building is made.
Then decide which features are necessities and which are preferences. Size, access and a suitable base normally matter more than decorative extras. Once the practical specification is right, you can choose roof style, cladding and colour to suit the garden.
Do Not Forget the Shed Base and Installation Access
A well-made building still needs a suitable supporting base. The base must be firm, flat and level and suitable for the particular building being installed. An uneven base can affect the way panels sit and how doors operate, while poor drainage around a building can create avoidable long-term problems.
We offer a base-building service and other services in applicable areas. Check the base requirements for the exact building before construction rather than assuming that an old patio, lawn or previous shed base will automatically be suitable.
Delivery access is just as important. Before ordering, consider gates, alleyways, steps, changes in level, tight corners and access through garages or houses. Bespoke dimensions solve a problem only if the building components can also reach the installation site. If you are uncertain, discuss access with us before finalising the order.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Bespoke Shed
Measuring Only the Old Shed
An existing building is not necessarily the ideal size for its replacement. Measure the actual usable garden space as well as the old shed. You may discover that a slightly different width, depth or door position gives considerably more useful storage.
Buying the Largest Footprint Without Planning the Interior
Floor area alone does not make a building practical. Poorly positioned doors can create dead space, and too many windows can remove valuable wall area. Plan where the contents will go before finalising the external dimensions.
Forgetting How Large Items Get Through the Door
A mower, motorcycle, workbench or garden furniture may fit comfortably inside but still be awkward to get through the entrance. Measure the widest equipment and consider whether single doors, double doors or a different door position will make everyday access easier.
Ignoring the Base Until Delivery
The base is part of the project, not something to improvise after ordering. Confirm the required base dimensions and construction early enough for it to be completed and ready before installation.
Assuming Bespoke Means Adding Every Extra
Going bespoke doesn’t mean you need to tick every box. It’s about choosing the features that will genuinely make the building work better for you. Insulation is worth having if you’ll be spending plenty of time inside; extra windows are useful if you want more natural light. Wider or double doors make life much easier if you’re storing bulky machinery. If an extra doesn’t serve a real purpose, there’s little sense in paying for it.
Comparing Quotes on Price Without Comparing Construction
Two sheds described as the same nominal size can have very different framing, cladding, roof, floor, glazing and installation specifications. Compare what is actually included. A lower purchase price is not good value if important construction elements or installation have been reduced to achieve it.
Not Checking Planning and Property Restrictions
Many domestic outbuildings can be erected under permitted development rights, but the rules depend on factors including location, height, use and the property itself. Listed buildings, designated land and individual properties can be subject to additional restrictions. Check the current requirements that apply to your property with the relevant planning authority before ordering where there is any doubt.
Bespoke Timber or Metal: Which Is More Suitable?
Timber is usually the more flexible choice when your priority is a customised appearance, window and door positioning, internal use or a building that blends naturally into the garden. It is also straightforward to personalise with colour finishes and other options on suitable ranges.
Metal can be preferable where security and lower routine exterior maintenance are higher priorities than the traditional appearance and flexibility of a timber building. We therefore keep our heavy-duty steel storage range separate so customers can compare the different construction approach properly rather than treating metal and timber as interchangeable products.
Bespoke or Prefabricated?
“Prefabricated” and “bespoke” are not opposites. A building can use factory-produced panels while still offering choices of size and specification. The distinction that matters to the buyer is how much of the finished building can be changed to suit the site and intended use. If your requirements are straightforward and speed or simplicity is the priority, compare our prefabricated building options. If dimensions or layout are the deciding factors, start with the bespoke ranges shown on this page.
Why View a Shed Before Making Your Final Choice?
Specifications and photographs are useful, but a building is much easier to judge when you can stand inside it. You can assess headroom, timber quality, framing, doors, windows, cladding and the general feel of different sizes. It also becomes much easier to visualise whether the building will accommodate what you intend to put inside.
Our display site near Guildford, Woking and Ripley in Surrey has a wide selection of garden buildings available to inspect. You can visit our garden building showrooms to compare construction details and discuss which elements of a design need to be altered for your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bespoke Sheds
What is a bespoke shed?
A bespoke shed is a building whose dimensions or specifications can be adapted around the customer’s garden and intended use rather than being limited to one fixed standard configuration. Depending on the range, this may include changes to size, doors, windows, roof design, finish and other options.
Can you make a shed to a non-standard size?
Yes, we can supply sheds in non-standard and made-to-measure sizes across a number of our ranges. If you’ve got a particular space to work with, just let us know the width and depth you need. We’ll talk you through what’s possible and which shed options will work best for the space.
Can I choose where the shed door goes?
Door-position choices are available on appropriate bespoke designs. The best position normally depends on garden access, the internal layout and the largest items that need to pass through the entrance.
Can the window position be changed?
Window layouts can be altered on suitable designs. Think about natural light, privacy, security and where shelving or benches will sit before deciding on the final positions.
Can I order a shed without windows?
Windowless configurations may be possible on suitable designs and can be useful when privacy, security or uninterrupted internal wall space is more important than natural daylight. Ask about the particular model you are considering.
Can bespoke sheds have double doors?
Double-door options are available on suitable ranges. They are particularly useful when storing lawnmowers, bicycles, machinery, furniture or other bulky equipment.
Can a bespoke shed be insulated?
Insulation options are available on relevant models. If you intend to use the building regularly for hobbies or other activities, discuss insulation and the complete internal specification at the design stage rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Can I choose an apex or pent roof?
Both apex and pent designs are available within our ranges. An apex gives the traditional two-sided roof shape and useful central height, while a pent roof has a single slope and can be especially convenient in certain positions beside boundaries or other structures.
What base does a made-to-measure shed need?
The correct base depends on the building, but it must be firm, flat and level and constructed to the required dimensions. Check the exact base specification before doing any groundwork. A base-building service is available in applicable areas.
Should I leave space around my new shed?
Where practical, allowing access around a timber building makes future inspection, treatment and maintenance easier. The amount available will depend on your garden, boundaries and planning considerations, so include maintenance access when working out the maximum sensible building size.
Does a bespoke shed need planning permission?
Many domestic garden buildings fall within permitted development rights, but not every building or property qualifies. Height, position, intended use and the status of the property can all matter. Check the current rules applicable to your address with the relevant planning authority if you are uncertain.
Are bespoke sheds delivered and installed?
Professional installation is included with many of our wooden buildings, subject to the individual product and delivery-area restrictions. Always check the specific product information and your postcode when ordering so you know exactly what is included.
How should I measure for a custom-size shed?
Measure the usable width and depth at several points, note fences, walls, trees, drains and roof overhangs, and allow for access and future maintenance. Also measure gates and narrow delivery routes. If the site is awkward, discuss the measurements with us before the building specification is finalised.
Is a bespoke shed better than a standard-size shed?
Not automatically. A standard building is the sensible choice when its size and layout already suit the garden. A bespoke building is most valuable when changing the dimensions, access or specification produces a substantially better fit or makes the building easier to use.
What information should I provide when asking for a bespoke shed quote?
Provide the available width and depth, intended use, preferred roof style, door requirements, window requirements and any important access restrictions. Mention large equipment that needs to fit through the doors and whether you are interested in options such as a colour finish, insulation or a base-building service.
Need Help Designing the Right Building?
If you know the space available but are unsure which dimensions or configuration will work best, speak to us before committing to the specification. You can compare the products above, contact 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, or use our online quote form to tell us what you need. A few measurements and a clear description of how the building will be used are normally the best place to start.
From £811
