Concrete Shed Bases in Burnley

Small, medium and larger shed bases

A small tool shed and a large workshop-style shed are not the same job. Bigger buildings carry more weight, cover more ground and are less forgiving of any movement, so the excavation, sub-base and concrete are sized accordingly.

Shed base installation is quoted on the actual footprint and the ground it is going on, rather than a one-size figure.

Why a level base matters

Sheds are built square. If the base is not level, doors stick, panels pull apart at the corners and roofing felt lifts. Uneven loading also puts the weight on a few points instead of spreading it across the floor.

Get the levels and groundwork right first and the building goes together as it should.

Concrete base versus paving slabs or plastic grids

Paving slabs and plastic grid systems have their place, particularly for very small sheds on firm, level ground. They rely heavily on the ground beneath staying put.

A concrete shed base spreads load as one piece, copes better with soft or made-up ground, and suits larger or heavier buildings. Where a supplier's instructions ask for a solid concrete base, that is what should be installed.

• —Concrete: one solid, level surface for larger or heavier sheds
• —Slabs: quicker, but only as good as the bedding beneath
• —Grids: light-duty use on already firm, well-drained ground

Ground preparation and drainage

Turf, topsoil, roots and any old surface come out first. Crushed stone sub-base is then laid in layers and compacted to form the base of the slab.

Water is considered as part of the set-out. Levels are arranged so surface water runs away from the shed and from house walls rather than pooling around the timber.

Manufacturer requirements

Many shed manufacturers state a base type, size and tolerance in their instructions. If you have that paperwork, send it over — it removes guesswork about the footprint and any margins needed around the building.

Customers should provide any drawings or specifications supplied with their shed or outbuilding.

Concrete depth and reinforcement

Thickness and whether mesh is used depend on the size and weight of the shed, what will be stored inside, the ground conditions and any manufacturer requirements. A light garden shed and a heavy workshop with machinery in it are treated differently.

Measuring the shed footprint

Measure the base dimensions of the shed rather than the roof overhang, and note whether the supplier wants the base flush with the building or slightly larger.

Some people prefer the base cut tight to the shed so water drips clear onto the garden; others want a margin to stand on. Either can be set out — it just needs deciding before shuttering goes in.

Access and spoil removal

Most shed bases sit in a rear garden, so materials and spoil often travel through a side path, gate or alley. That is normal work around Burnley, but it does affect the time involved. Machine access may be considered depending on the site and project.

What affects the price

• —Footprint size
• —Excavation depth and spoil volume
• —Removal of an old base, slabs or decking
• —Slope of the garden
• —Access width and barrow distance
• —Sub-base and concrete thickness
• —Reinforcement where required
• —Waste removal

Curing before the shed goes on

Concrete needs time before a building is fixed to it. How long depends on the mix, thickness and weather, and we give you a clear steer so you can arrange delivery or installation of the shed accordingly.