How to Choose the Best Garden Shed in NZ

The New Zealand lifestyle is certainly busy, whether walking through the native bush, messing around on the water, or completing the weekend DIY list. Our activities and hobbies mean we naturally collect a lot of stuff, from gardening gear to sports equipment to mountain bikes. To look after your gear and stay organised, you’ll need a spacious garden shed to store and protect everything.

Whether you’re looking for steel, wood, or resin garden sheds, you’ll enjoy great value and great service with Trade Tested. Shop our range of no-hassle kitset garden sheds to suit your requirements and budget online or in-store. Read on to discover how to choose the best garden shed in NZ for your needs.

Why kitset garden sheds?

Our quality garden shed products provide a simple, cost-effective solution for all your storage needs. Kitset garden sheds arrive in pre-cut pieces, ready for you to assemble on-site at home or in a work yard.

Unlike garden sheds built to order, our hassle-free DIY kitset sheds are packed up and ready to go. That means we can ship you a premium garden shed quickly and at a fraction of the price, anywhere in New Zealand.

Some kitset garden sheds contain many small pieces, making assembly tedious and time-consuming. Ours are in as few pieces as possible, making them perfect DIY projects for all Kiwis.

All Trade Tested quality kitset garden sheds come with a 12-year warranty, so you’ll have confidence that you’re getting a dependable shed designed to stand the test of time.

Your shed’s purpose

When choosing the perfect shed, the first thing to ask yourself is what you will be using it for.

We have a range of sizes and models available to suit a variety of purposes. Order a premium garden shed to organise garden tools and accessories, house bikes, kayaks, and other outdoor gear. Garden sheds also make unique workshops and hobby spaces. If you need it for backyard storage, will your new garden shed be your only storage area? Or will it be used alongside a garage space or a basement? If you’ll be working there too, what facilities will you need?

At Trade Tested, we stock several sizes, colours and models to suit a variety of purposes and outdoor spaces. Once you’re clear on your shed’s purpose, you can start choosing specifications.

Choosing a shed

Find your perfect shed in four easy steps:

1. 1. Pick a size
2. 2. Select your material
3. 3. Pick a roof style
4. 4. Choose your colour

1. Size

Decide how much of your backyard you will devote to the garden shed. If your property is small, you may be limited by space. If you have a larger property, you’ll want to leave enough lawn area for kids and pets or even room to put some outdoor furniture.

Besides what you’re planning to put in your garden shed immediately, also consider how you’ll use it in the future. Your storage needs will probably increase as your family expands, your kids grow up, or you take on new hobbies. Properly cared-for garden sheds can last decades. You don’t want to have to replace your garden shed a year or two down the track because you’ve run out of storage space. We recommend browsing bigger sizes to anticipate changing shed needs. Our quality garden sheds have floor areas that range from 0.8 m² to 14.8 m².

As well as floor area, internal shed height is critical if you plan to use it as a workshop or add shelving. How many shelves do you need, and what height should they be? If you plan to work inside your shed, you’ll need to ensure the roof height allows you to stand comfortably, too. Browse our range of larger sheds with a 2.1 m height.

Some of our larger garden sheds have double doors, while our smaller ones tend to have single doors. Ease of access might be important, especially if you plan to store large or bulky items. You’ll need to ensure that items and the people moving them can safely fit through the door frame.

2. Material

Steel

For the conditions we experience in New Zealand, steel garden sheds stack up. Most garden sheds in New Zealand are engineered from steel, mainly because they are light, strong, easy to assemble, and won’t warp or fade over time. The durability and corrosion resistance of galvanised steel mean they stand the test of time without needing much maintenance.

Trade Tested’s steel garden sheds come in a range of sizes and include a 12-year no-rust warranty, giving you confidence that your shed is built to last.

Wood

Wooden sheds have a classic look and an aesthetic appeal. These sheds provide unique, strong, and functional spaces that look sleek, adding to your property’s appearance. Wooden garden sheds do require occasional maintenance; otherwise, the wood’s finish can deteriorate over time. Will the maintenance required be a hassle or a hobby?

Trade Tested’s wooden sheds are crafted from Nordic kiln-dried spruce and come in multiple sizes.

Resin plastic

Resin garden sheds are a popular choice because of their unmatched durability. We stock resin sheds in a range of colours, with new shades constantly released. The easy-to-manufacture nature of resin garden sheds means there is also a huge variety of sizes and configurations, allowing you to select the right garden shed design to suit your needs.

Trade Tested’s range of Keter garden sheds is crafted from durable, weather-tight resin reinforced with steel and features composite twin-wall panels for added strength and stability.

3. Roof style

Pitched roof

Pitched roof garden sheds are perfect for storing tall items, thanks to the generous headroom at the centre. This added height also makes them a great option for use as a small workshop or hobby space, offering comfortable standing room and easy ventilation. The angled roof allows rainwater to run off easily, helping reduce the risk of leaks or water damage over time.

Flat roof

Flat roof garden sheds, on the other hand, are ideal for smaller sections or tight spaces where height restrictions or low fences might be a concern. Their compact design makes them easy to position against fences or walls, maximising usable yard space. While they may offer slightly less vertical clearance inside, flat roof sheds still provide reliable protection for tools, gardening gear, and other outdoor essentials, and they often feature a modern, minimalist aesthetic that suits urban backyards.

Regardless of your preference, Trade Tested stocks a variety of sheds with both roof options - making it hassle-free for Kiwis to find the perfect shed in NZ.

4. Colour

When choosing the right colour for your shed, consider the surrounding landscape and how you want the garden shed to blend in. Some Kiwis like a subtle and inconspicuous garden shed design, while others enjoy a bold focal point for their garden.

A grey garden shed could be attractive in a tidily manicured, landscaped garden, perhaps alongside a patio or water feature. Our wood finish sheds are nicely suited to gardens with a softer, more naturalistic feel, while green is often a great colour choice for garden sheds placed amongst leafy flora. Garden sheds with dark, cool colours have a modern or bold feel and could suit a more minimalist garden design with lots of straight edges.

Check out our customer reviews to see our quality garden sheds in use, and consider which colour and design would best match the features of your garden.

How to choose a floor

To preserve the durability of your shed, it’ll need a proper foundation to anchor it securely and elevate its contents above the ground. The most common flooring options include timber, a steel-raised foundation kit, or a concrete pad. Flooring selection primarily hinges on the existing conditions of the shed site, the functional requirements of your shed, and considerations related to cost and installation efforts.

Securing your shed to a fixed, level base will help prevent the frame from bending and maintain its strength and shape in bad weather. Our garden sheds come with free anchor kits that make it easy to secure them to timber or concrete bases.

Timber

Timber is the most popular option for shed floor construction in New Zealand for its sturdiness and versatility. It’s also a good option if you need to move the shed to a different location. When opting for timber, always account for windy conditions by firmly securing the wooden floor to the ground with pegs.

If you have plenty of timber on hand, you can make the bearers and floorboards of your shed floor yourself by cutting them to the correct size. This way, you can choose your favourite timber and finish it with a varnish, stain or paint.

If you’d prefer a ready-to-build floor, Trade Tested has a range of floor kits readily available for each shed size. These come with the bearers and floorboards cut to the correct dimensions, along with all the nails and nail plates you need for simple assembly. Our quality floor kits are made locally from FSC-certified New Zealand pine from Rotorua and are pre-treated to prevent moisture damage.

Raised floor foundations

For a simple, budget-friendly flooring option, add timber or plywood on top of a steel-raised foundation frame. Once the steel frame is assembled, simply cover it with your chosen floorboards to create a sturdy base. The raised design keeps the floor off the ground and is made to fit your shed dimensions perfectly.

This method offers flexibility, allowing you to install your shed on a variety of surfaces, including driveways, patios, or paved and concreted areas. It’s also an effective way to achieve a level base without needing to pour a full concrete slab.

Concrete

Building a shed on top of an existing concrete can be a great way to repurpose an old carport, driveway or patio area. The shed's frame will attach to the concrete slab using 8mm bolts and a series of clamps to ensure a solid connection.

If you don’t have one, making one is a great investment. However, the additional cost involved in buying, mixing and pouring cement and ensuring the foundation is straight and level may not suit everyone. Assembly will take longer than it would for a timber floor, but it’s strong and permanent. This is ideal if you’ll have pets in and out of your shed, potting plants, or storing anything that could make a mess.

Pouring a 100mm recessed cement floor provides a solid foundation and a robust platform that will last for years. Of course, once you’ve poured the cement, you cannot move it to a different location, so take your time planning this option. It’s ideal if you own your property and want your floor to last as long as the shed.

We can provide a guide to help you plan your foundation and secure the shed. We recommend placing the floor above the ground outside the shed to prevent rainwater from entering.

Assembly

DIY

For Kiwis with good DIY skills, assembling garden sheds is easy. Our quality range of garden sheds is designed to be straightforward to assemble, instilling confidence that anyone can get it done. All sheds come with the necessary components and precise instructions to guide you through the process. Assembly of smaller sheds takes around four hours or six to eight hours if you order one of our larger sizes.

Many hands make light work, so the assembly will be easier and faster with help. You will definitely need assistance putting on the roof. Arrange for your partner, a friend or a family member to help out for the day. You’ll need a cordless drill, a tape measure, and a ladder.

Trade Tested is more than happy to help with all the advice you need to put together our wooden, resin or steel sheds - it’s all part of the service! If you get stuck, call us toll-free on 0800 800 880.

Remember to put your safety first. Make sure you use the right tools for the job and don’t take on more than you’re capable of. If you’re using a ladder, a correct set-up is important, and remember to keep three points of contact at all times when you’re on the ladder and avoid over-reaching.

Professional assembly

Trade Tested’s garden sheds are quick and easy to assemble. However, if you don’t feel confident enough or are short on time, we can organise a free, no-obligation quote for an assembly partner in your area to assemble your shed.

Our assembly partners can also put down flooring in your shed if needed. However, they cannot clear your site or level the ground to work on. If you’d like an assembly partner to assemble your shed, you’ll need to make sure the area is flat and clear before they arrive.

Legal and compliance

You won’t need building consent to install sheds smaller than 10 m² in most areas of NZ. However, you may need to research NZ council regulations for our larger garden sheds. Check with your local council to find out what requirements apply for assembling garden sheds in your area.

Positioning

Measure out the space before you decide which of our garden sheds you plan to order. Use pegs or stakes to mark out the area to make sure the shed will fit properly and look the way you want it to. What existing features do you have on your property? Concrete, lawn, or bare ground? Consider these spaces when positioning your shed. Alternatively, place your shed on a deck or patio. Your location will determine how you secure your shed to the ground and what kind of foundations and flooring you need.

Some people like to place their sheds away from the house. Balance these aesthetic considerations against practicality and convenience. Assembling the shed close to where you use it allows you to get the most use out of it. You might find that the kids put their outdoor toys away if the shed is near where they play. Keep your shed close to facilities you might need to access, like power or water supply.

Understanding the features of your property will help you decide where your shed should go. Think about the contour of the ground. The shed should go on flat ground, or if there’s a slight incline, that should be towards the back of the shed. If drainage is poor, or you experience water leaks from ponds or water features, that area will probably be too damp. Wet ground could damage a timber floor or let water enter your shed.

Leave space around your shed so you can easily clean and maintain it. Make sure there’s space at the front for the door to open and for you to get any large items in and out without hassle.

Council regulations usually require that garden sheds be placed away from other buildings and fences, at least the same distance as the roof height. If you have a swimming pool, remember that your shed should be a reasonable distance from the pool’s fence.

Be careful of putting your shed near any trees on your property, especially if the tree is still growing. Leave enough room around the shed for the tree’s growth in the future. Remember that the roots may be spreading, too, so you may not want to put the shed directly over them. Use the drip line, the area on the ground covered by the tree’s canopy, to give you an idea of where the tree’s roots are. You might also think twice about putting your shed under a tree that loses a lot of leaves or drops seeds, flowers or fruit; clearing tree matter off the shed roof might be an extra garden chore you could do without!

Trade Tested’s range of garden sheds is tough enough for all weather conditions, but they’ll last even longer if screened a little, especially wooden sheds. Shelter from the sun and wind will also be more comfortable if you work in the shed a lot or if a pet lives inside. Depending on the features of your property and the purpose of your shed, a sheltered area might be a good idea.

Customisation and accessories

If you’ll be using tools or other electrical equipment in your shed, or if you want to install lighting, you should consider a permanent electrical supply. We recommend you have this work done by a qualified NZ electrician to ensure it’s done safely.

Installing a simple ramp is a great idea if you’re storing anything with wheels, such as bikes or lawnmowers, or if you’ll need to carry heavy or bulky things in and out of the shed.

Consider ventilation and insulation if you’ll design your shed as a workshop or the kids will keep a small pet in it. Trade Tested’s range of garden sheds can easily be customised with windows or skylights; you can even line it with plasterboard and add insulation.

Security may be an essential consideration; if you have costly items like lawnmowers, bikes, or power tools, you’ll want the peace of mind of knowing they’re safe. Our sheds can easily be fitted with features such as locks and security lighting.

Purchase a garden shed in NZ at Trade Tested

Enjoy quality products, great value and expert service with Trade Tested. Ordering our sheds is quick and easy online. Chat live with us during business hours or call us free on 0800 800 880.

Most of our sheds are readily available at our warehouse near Auckland Airport. We can prepare to deliver your shed as soon as you place your order. We offer nationwide delivery, and in most NZ areas, you’ll receive your order in three days. We deliver sheds door-to-door across NZ, or to the nearest depot for collection.

To purchase in person, visit our Auckland store. We’re open seven days a week and have assembled sheds on display, so you can check out the product’s features before you decide on which new quality shed design to take home.

Hear from our customers

“Love my shed. It is honestly well constructed. Truly worth the money I spent.”

“Simple easy to follow instructions, built in an afternoon.”

“Easy to put together and love the look. Can fit a surprising amount of stuff in it!”

Frequently asked questions

What type of outdoor shed is most durable?

Resin garden sheds are the ultimate in lightweight durability; this quality material does not fade or crack. Their key advantage over traditional steel, reduced condensation, makes them ideal for storing temperature-sensitive items.

What is the maximum shed size without a permit in NZ?

In New Zealand, you don’t need a building consent for a kitset shed if it:

Has a floor space of less than 30 m²

Has a height of less than 3.5 m above ground level

Is single-storey

Has been designed or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer

What is the best base for an outdoor shed?

The best base for your shed depends on your budget. If you are prioritising quality and longevity, choose a concrete slab base. This floor style won’t expand and shrink the way timber might, and it won’t crack or be damaged if you drop something heavy on it. It’s also simple to keep clean, as you can hose it down.

Can you put a shed right next to a fence?

In NZ, you can sometimes place a shed next to a fence, but boundary setback rules may limit how close you can build. In most cases, sheds within 1 m of a boundary must be under m², no taller than 3.5 m, and may require fire-rated walls. Always check with your local council, as rules can vary.

It's also practical to consider airflow and maintenance; placing a shed too close to fences, trees, or bushes can trap moisture, encourage mould, and lead to debris buildup. Additionally, make sure your shed placement doesn’t block sunlight or impact your neighbours’ access to light.

Can I put a toilet and shower in my shed?

Adding plumbing to your shed in NZ is possible, but will require building consent as this will classify your shed as a habitable structure or dwelling.