How to Build a Shed Base

Now that the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming, there’s no better time to invest in your outdoor space, but with garden maintenance comes all the tools and equipment needed to get the job done right. And then you have the problem of where to store these items securely.

A garden shed is an excellent solution for storing your gardening equipment. They’re weather-resistant, spacious, and affordable. With that in mind, if you’re planning on installing a shed in your garden this year, you’ll need to build a garden shed base for it to stand on. A solid foundation offers stability and is often made from wood or concrete for longevity.

This guide will outline how to create a solid and stable base for your shed, allowing you to store your items safely for years to come.

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When marking out your shed base, position it in a clear area, leaving enough room for the roof overhang and keeping it away from growing tree branches or roots.
To build a concrete shed base, dig 150mm into the ground, lay a 75mm sub-base, and pour 75mm of mixed concrete over the top for maximum stability.
For a wooden shed base, dig a 50mm hole, lay down 40mm of levelled gravel, and install a shed base kit or pressure-treated timber bearers.

Decide where to build your shed

It’s important to make sure your base is positioned right in your garden space. This is especially true if you have a lot of obstacles close by.

For instance, you’ll need to account for the overhang of the roof. So, avoid placing your shed base too close to fences or walls.

You’ll also want to avoid placing it near trees or bushes as their branches can cause damage to your shed as they grow, and roots can disrupt the ground below.

How to build a concrete base for a garden shed

We always recommend a concrete base for shed installations if you’re dealing with larger garden buildings as it provides the most stability. If you’re wondering how to make a concrete shed base, follow these straightforward steps.

Using pegs and string, measure and mark out a rectangle. Make it slightly larger than the base of your shed. To make sure it’s not slanted, measure the diagonal angles between each corner. Both measurements should be exactly the same.

We always recommend building a concrete garden shed base for larger garden buildings as it provides the most stability.

For a sturdy concrete shed base, you need to dig around 150mm into the ground.
Once you’ve dug the hole, fill it up to 75mm with a strong sub base.
Level this out with compacted sand to act as a firm foundation. You can now remove the pegs and string.
Then, place timber shuttering along the four sides. This creates a secure wooden framework ready for your wet concrete.

Now it’s time to look at how to lay a concrete base for a garden shed. You can use most types of concrete for shed bases and still get the longevity you need.

Mix up your concrete with small amounts of water, adding it gradually until you’ve got the perfect consistency. Avoid making the mixture too wet, as this will affect the strength of concrete shed bases.
Next, pour approximately 75mm of concrete into your excavated area. Spread it evenly into all corners. Your shed concrete base should sit flush with your wooden framework.
Lastly, cover the area with sheets and allow it to dry completely before building.

How to build a wooden base for garden sheds

If you do not want to use concrete, a wooden base is a brilliant alternative. It works perfectly for classic wooden sheds.

Pegs
String
Spade
Gravel
Soil
Rake
Shed base kit or pressure treated timber bearers
Saw
Spirit level

Start by measuring and marking out the chosen area with pegs and string in the same way as detailed for a concrete base.

For a wooden base, you only need to dig around 50mm into the ground.
Create a square or rectangular shape to match your shed.
After that, lay down 40mm of gravel or soil within the hole. Level it all out carefully with a rake.

If you’ve got a shed base kit, now is the time to assemble it. Simply follow the instructions provided. Most kits come with wooden stakes that you hammer into the ground to provide a solid base.

If you do not have a kit, follow these steps:

Purchase some pressure-treated timber bearers and cut them to size with a saw.
Lay these across the soil at equal 400-600mm intervals.
Use a spirit level to make sure they are completely straight.

Time to build your shed

Building a garden shed base is required for classic wooden sheds, a larger metal shed, or a hardwearing plastic option. It gives them extra stability and helps the flooring last a lot longer.

Now that you’ve got a base sorted, you can begin installing or building your shed, and thankfully we’ve got a handy guide for building a shed too! And if you’re on the market for a storage solution to suit your needs, we also have hundreds of sheds in all shapes and sizes available.

FAQs

Yes, garden sheds require a base. It improves stability, prevents damp and overall extends the shed’s longevity as it remains level and off the ground.

Yes, it’s possible to place your garden shed on a gravel base. It just needs to be perfectly level and supported by a sturdy frame made out of timber or plastic.

The shed base should closely match the size of your shed, or it can be slightly larger for stability and drainage purposes.

If you want to know how to build a concrete shed base efficiently, preparing the area properly is key. Always ensure your sub-base is levelled and compacted before mixing any concrete, and work with a partner to help spread the wet mix evenly.

For a sturdy concrete shed base, you need to dig around 150mm into the ground. 75mm of this will then be filled with sub base and compacted sand, and the other 75mm will be filled with concrete.