Garden sheds, huts and summerhouses: a UK buying guide
Choosing a garden building is easier when you know what you need it for. This guide covers types, sizes, materials, bases, planning rules and upkeep.
Start with the job
Before you look at a single catalogue, decide what the building is for. A bike and mower store, a potting shed, a summerhouse to sit in, a workshop, a home office and a hobby studio all want different things. Storage needs strength, a lockable door and a dry floor. A place to sit needs windows, light and insulation. A building you will spend hours in every day needs power, heating and ventilation, and probably building regulations approval.
Getting that right first stops you buying a cheap shed and trying to turn it into a year-round room, which rarely works.
What this guide covers
- Types of shed, hut and summerhouse: apex, pent, log cabins, shepherd's huts and more.
- Sizes and typical prices: what fits, and estimated costs for November 2026.
- Cladding and materials: overlap, shiplap and tongue and groove, and what they mean for strength and warmth.
- Bases: the foundation that decides how long a shed lasts.
- Planning permission and permitted development: heights, boundaries and designated land.
- Garden offices, insulation and building regulations.
- Security: locks, hinges and common-sense habits.
- Maintenance: treatment, roofs and damp.
The five questions that save money
- What will it hold or be used for? This decides size and quality.
- Where will it go? Check the space, access for delivery, ground level and distance from boundaries.
- Do I need permission? Most garden sheds in England fall under permitted development, but there are limits. See the planning page.
- What base will it sit on? Budget for it. The Summerhouse24 guide puts options at roughly £30 to £450 depending on the type, which can be a real share of a small shed's cost.
- How will I look after it? Timber needs treatment, and cheap buildings need it more.
Quality is mostly in the details
Two sheds of the same size can have very different lifespans. Look at the thickness of the boards and framing, whether the floor is solid and raised, how the roof is covered, what the door hinges and lock are like and what guarantee the supplier offers. Cladding thickness matters too: one supplier guide notes overlap boards are around 7 mm thick, while tongue and groove runs 11 mm to 15 mm.
Check the rules before you buy
The Planning Portal sets out rules for outbuildings in England: they must be single storey, with eaves up to 2.5 metres and a maximum height of 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof or 3 metres otherwise, and a building within 2 metres of a boundary can't exceed 2.5 metres. There are tighter limits on designated land and for listed buildings. See our planning page, and always confirm with your local planning authority.
Typical mistakes to avoid
- Buying on price alone and ending up with thin boards, a weak floor and a roof that leaks within a few years.
- Forgetting the base, delivery access and any groundworks, which can add a lot to the final cost.
- Assuming a bigger building is always allowed. Height, boundary distance and coverage rules can limit what you can put up without permission.
- Planning a summerhouse or office without thinking about power, ventilation and insulation until after it is built.
About this site
We don't sell sheds or recommend brands, and prices here are estimates. Use the sources linked on each page to check current rules. Questions or corrections? Use the contact page.
Prices on this page are typical estimates for November 2026, not quotes. They vary with size, timber grade, supplier, delivery, VAT and installation. Check current prices before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a garden shed?
Often not in England, as outbuildings can be permitted development if they meet limits on height, location and coverage. Check the Planning Portal and your local planning authority.
What size shed should I buy?
Measure what you want to store, then add space to move around. Many people regret going too small.
What is the difference between a shed and a summerhouse?
A shed is mainly for storage or work. A summerhouse is designed to sit in, usually with more windows and a nicer finish.
Do I need a base for a shed?
Yes. Never place a shed directly on grass or soil, since moisture leads to rot and an uneven floor.