How much does a shed cost? – Shed prices

The humble garden shed plays a critical role in the modern household – whether it’s keeping your power tools secure, providing an outdoor retreat in your backyard or simply a place to store your broken appliances before the next verge pickup.

If you’re in the market for a new shed, no doubt the first question you’ll want to be answered is just how much you can expect to pay.

So, how much does a shed cost?

Well, if you’re looking for the quick, simple answer, then prices will range from a small 2m x 2m shed for $500 up to $5000 for a medium-sized 6m x 6m shed and $15,000 for a large 16m x 10m shed.

As a guide, this shed pricing table gives you a general idea.

But like the answers to many of life’s great questions, the answer is ‘it depends’.

To get a better idea of what you’ll be paying, the first thing you’ll need to determine is the shed’s purpose.

Are you just looking for some extra storage, or are you seeking a private home office?  

Will you be storing tough items like garden tools or perishable goods like food?

How many items will you need to be storing inside it? How big are the items you’d need to store?

Once you’ve determined these answers, you’ll be in a better position to decide what type of shed you’ll need and, ultimately, what you’ll need to pay.

Types of garden sheds

While garden sheds are a topic that many people seldom think about, it can be amazing how diverse the different styles of garden sheds are. Ranging from small cubicles for storage to large workshops for hobbies to insulated structures used for work and play, the diversity of shed types means there’s a shed for every need.

Classical garden shed

The most obvious and well-known type of shed is the classic backyard garden shed. These can range in size but tend to be small (2m x 2m and under) and can only hold a moderate amount of tools and other garden supplies. They tend to be made of corrugated metal or wood, allowing them to be easily moved around the back garden as needed.

Prices for these small sheds start from under $400 but can climb up to $1000 depending on their size and material. This style of shed requires minimal installation effort and can often be done by the purchaser. This helps in keeping costs down as there are no building costs associated with this style of shed. Because of this, they are the perfect option for someone on a tight budget.

Walk-in sheds

These are larger sheds that are comparable in size to a small garage and can be made of corrugated metal, wood or even brick. They are called walk-in sheds because they are large enough to enter, allowing for shelves and small storage cabinets comfortably. The obvious advantage of these types of garden shed is that they can store more tools and supplies and larger items such as bicycles, motorbikes and lawnmowers. 

Because these types of garden sheds can vary vastly in size, price and installation costs can vary wildly. Price-wise, one of these sheds tends to start at $800 for smaller sizes but can go as high as $10,000 for the largest sizes. Building costs may differ as well due to factors such as size and location. Installation costs will generally start at $400 and go up from there.

Workshop sheds

For many people, one of the best ways to spend free time is to work on creative projects with their hands. This can include things like amateur carpentry, metalworking and painting. These hobbies can get quite messy, and it is not a good idea to do them inside the house. The best alternative is to build a garden shed that can double as a personal workshop. These workshops are particularly useful as they can double up as a secure storage space for your tools and any garden supplies that you may have.

Workshop sheds are typically larger than your average garden shed, so expect to pay a little bit more. A good quality workshop shed will start at around $5000 for a small shed and can go as high as $30,000 for the larger sizes.

Insulated garden sheds/liveable sheds

Think of one of these as sitting halfway between a garden shed and a small house, kind of like a granny flat. These insulated structures can be used as workshops, studies, guest accommodation, gyms, entertaining space, playrooms, and for storing perishable foodstuffs. They can even have electricity and plumbing fixtures fitted and are typically built from wood, though they can also be built with brick. The key advantage of these types of shed is that they are less exposed to the weather and are more likely to keep out common insects and vermin. 

Because these types of sheds are much larger and more complex than their counterparts, the price of the shed along with the installation cost will be much higher. The price of a shed can vary due to your location and the availability of building materials and builders. However, they usually start at $60,000. Because the building process for these types of garden sheds is much more difficult and time-consuming, the vast majority of people without building experience will not be able to construct these sheds by themselves, which is one of the key reasons for the higher cost.

If you are looking to get a firm idea of how much it will cost to build a shed, you should get a local shed builder to put together a quote. When you do, it is essential to remember what you need from your shed as this will have a considerable impact on your garden shed’s cost.

*The costs in this article are estimates and should be used as a guide only. Prices may vary due to location and market forces.