The Hidden Cost of ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Sheds
Why Compromising On Shed Design Now
Could Cost You Thousands In Modifications Late
(And How To Get A Fully Customised Shed For About
The Same Cost As A Standard Shed)
Have you ever bought clothes "off the rack" only to find they don't quite fit? Now imagine making the same mistake with a $30,000 shed.
That's exactly what happens when people choose standard-sized sheds. They end up with wasted space, cramped work areas, and windows, doors, and power points that end up being blocked and unusable. Sometimes they even discover their vehicles don't fit (despite measuring carefully).
The problem isn't just annoying, it's expensive. Because once your shed is built, fixing these issues means either:
- Spending thousands on modifications
- Demolishing and starting again
- Losing money when you sell your property
- Living with a shed that doesn't meet your needs
Consider What Happened to David in Bendigo
David needed a shed to store his caravan plus workshop space. The shed company assured him their standard 9x6 metre shed would be perfect. But after it was built, David discovered:
- His caravan (with towbar) was too long
- The roller door wasn't high enough
- There wasn't enough room for his workbench
- The windows were in the wrong spots
The result? A $35,000 shed that didn't meet his needs (and couldn't be easily modified).
5 Reasons Why "Standard Size" Sheds Often Don't Work
Standard sheds might seem convenient, but they ignore crucial factors like:
- Vehicle Sizes: Not just length and width, but things like towbars, roof racks, and aerials
- Access Needs: How you'll move around vehicles and equipment in your shed
- Storage Requirements: Where tools, equipment and materials will live
- Future Uses: How your needs might change over time
- Power and Light: Where you need power points and natural light
The Real Cost of a "Standard" Shed
When your shed doesn't quite fit your needs, you face:
- Wasted space you're paying for but can't use (like that awkward corner behind the roller door or that strip of space too narrow for anything useful)
- A shed that's uncomfortable to spend time in (like poor ventilation that makes it too hot to work in summer, or inadequate lighting that leaves you working in shadows)
- Access nightmares that waste your time (like having to shuffle cars around just to get your mower out, or not being able to open car doors properly once parked)
- Storage problems that create constant mess (like tools and equipment cluttering the floor when they could be on walls or a mezzanine level, or having to stack things in front of windows because there's nowhere else to put them)
- Badly positioned features that cause headaches (like windows that get blocked by shelving, doors that clash with each other, or power points hidden behind stored items)
- Poor design that limits what you can do (like ceiling height that's too low for your car's roof racks, or not enough space to open your cars’ bonnets for maintenance)
- Expensive modifications that could have been avoided (like adding extra doors, moving power points, or installing ventilation -- often costing thousands more than doing it right the first time)
A Better Way to Build Your Shed (Custom Designed to the Millimetre)
At Outdoor Steel Solutions, we've spent 20 years helping more than 5,000 property owners get exactly the shed they want. Unlike most companies that only offer standard sizes, we custom design every shed.
Our unique approach includes:
- Taking time to understand your specific needs
- Asking questions about things you might not have considered
- Showing you options you didn't know were possible
- Using advanced software to design to the millimetre
- Optimising every aspect of your design
The result? A shed where everything works exactly as it should -- your vehicles fit perfectly, storage is right where you need it, and there's plenty of light and ventilation for year-round comfort. A fully custom shed is the ultimate solution to protect your assets, free up space in your home, and make your life easier.
But Don't Just Take Our Word For It…
Remember David from Bendigo? After his standard shed disappointment, he came to us frustrated and wary. Our design team created a custom solution that:
- Perfectly fit his caravan (including towbar)
- Provided proper workshop space
- Positioned windows and doors exactly where needed
- Included smart storage solution
Today he has exactly the shed he wanted -- with no compromises.
The Bottom Line? Don't Let Standard Sizes Dictate Your Shed
Choosing a standard shed is like buying a suit without trying it on -- it might look good online, but it probably won't fit properly. But with custom design, you can have the exact shed you want.
Want to Learn More About Getting Your Perfect Shed?
Download our comprehensive Shed Buyer's Guide. It's packed with essential information about:
- How to determine your exact space needs
- Design features you might not know about
- Ways to future-proof your shed
- Questions to ask before choosing a design
- Common design mistakes to avoid
Don't risk thousands on a shed that doesn't meet your needs. Get your free guide today and take the first step toward building your perfect shed -- custom designed to the millimetre.
*Disclaimer: Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. These stories are based on real events, and any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental.
Free Expert Advice Specific To Your Shed Needs
Over the past 20+ years we’ve had the honour of helping more than 5000 homeowners and farmers get a better looking, longer lasting garages and carports. We’d love to help you too by answering your questions and sharing our experience.