How to choose the perfect location for your shed

Are you scratching your head on where to place a shed on your property? It can be hard to know where to start with choosing the best location, and you want to get it right the first time (even smaller sheds are a pain to relocate).

That’s why we’ve put together this little guide, so you can learn what to consider when picking the perfect spot for your storage shed, or whatever flavour shed you’re in the market for.

Think about distance from the house

When it comes to building a new shed on your property, the distance you install it from your home is actually pretty important. To choose the right location, think about:

Accessibility

It might seem like a good idea to butt your shed right up against the back wall of your house, but keep in mind that will eliminate easy access to the exterior of both your shed and your home.

Security

Whether or not burglary is a common issue in your neighbourhood, your shed will probably house plenty of expensive tools, so putting it somewhere harder for would-be thieves to access can make for good peace of mind. Bonus if you can keep an eye on it from inside the house.

Convenience

If you’ll be moving heavy items or bulky garden tools in and out a lot, a good shed location might be closer to your driveway, garage, or even your property boundary. A good rule of thumb: think about how easily you want to break out the lawnmower on the weekend.

Suss out your boundary lines

Before you decide where to place a shed on your property, check your property lines to make sure you won’t be encroaching on neighbouring properties. Try to avoid placing your shed too close to existing structures that might cause problems—like fences, walls, other buildings, etc. Check with your local council to see if there’s a minimum distance requirement from the boundary for building your new shed.

Spot potential hazards

Grab a notepad and do a little survey of all the hazards around your shortlisted shed placement locations. Don’t just think about ground level hazards like sloping terrain—think high and low too. Are there any overhead power lines or underground reticulation or utility lines, like sewer or water mains?

Don’t forget Mother Nature

Whether you’re starting out and looking at prefab sheds, or experienced with custom sheds, you can’t forget about Mother Nature – she can have a huge effect on the life of your shed. It’s okay, you can actually work with her and make the most of your shed placement.

Think about the weather

Weigh up the pros and cons of things like natural light versus temperature control, rain exposure versus water drainage, and wind patterns versus your shed doors blowing off.

For example, if you’ve shortlisted one of the few places where sunlight shines through on your property, but it’s also prone to getting waterlogged or even flooding after heavy rain, that might not be the best spot for your new shed.

Think about exposure to the elements

Especially during different seasons throughout the year. This can help you determine the direction to install your shed to be facing (especially if it has windows), and whether you need to install insulation to keep the temperatures under control during the summer scorchers and winter chills.

Think about trees and plants

‘Shedding leaves’ is a cracking shed pun for sure, but setting up your shed beneath a tree that drops its leaves can cause roof damage over time – at least, if you’re not quick with a leafblower. And there’s the added risk of a branch or two falling when a storm rolls around.

Like spotting potential hazards earlier, it’s not just the canopy you need to worry about when it comes to trees – the roots of some species can dish out some actual cracking to the concrete slab that forms the shed’s foundation. If you’ve ever seen a footpath that’s fallen victim to tree roots, you’ll know it’s serious business!

You might need a thumbs-up from the council

Depending on your local planning laws, you might need to get a building permit before you install your new shed. Getting this started is as simple as contacting your local council. If you do need their approval, it’s best to get that sorted before making any purchases or hiring trades.

It’s worth noting that some councils might not allow sheds in backyards. If you live in an area where sheds have the green-light, it’s worth asking whether there are any requirements that need to be met, and if so, how much they’ll cost you.

Conclusion

The most important thing is to make sure you’re putting your shed in a location where it’s practical, long-lasting, and makes you want to use it! If you take some time to follow these steps and do some planning before building, you’ll be able to make the most of your new shed for years to come.

Need a new storage shed in Perth? Spinifex Sheds have you covered! We build custom sheds for all purposes and sizes, ranging from residential to commercial. In addition, we take care of the entire process, from dealing with council and laying the concrete foundations, to cleaning up after the shed is completed. Sit back and relax when you go with Spinifex Sheds!