5 things to consider for your new Farm Shed
5 things to consider for your new Farm Shed
Any new structure on your rural property needs to be planned from the beginning so here are 5 things for you to consider before taking your next steps.
Does your new Shed require a council permit?
Each state is different but similar in most respects. In NSW, the Rural Housing Code contains complying development provisions for outbuildings in rural areas which apply to any of the following under the Building Code of Australia:
- Balcony, deck, patio, pergola, terrace, or veranda that is detached from a dwelling house
- Cabana, cubby house, fernery, garden shed, gazebo or greenhouse
- Carport that is detached from a dwelling house
- Farm building
- Garage that is detached from a dwelling house
- Rainwater tank (above ground) that is detached from a dwelling house
- Shade structure that is detached from a dwelling house
- Shed
Almost all over Australia there is usually a requirement for some form of approval for a new building project. Check out NSW by clicking here.
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It’s important to get the right permission
Nearly every shire may have a different permit system, so it’s best to talk to your local planning authority to confirm what these are. Just make sure that you are doing everything correctly before you start constructing a shed on your property. You do not want a shed you are going to have to take down because proper planning processes were ignored.
The purpose of the shed and council approvals have to be considered in order to construct a new shed on your property. In almost all cases there are certain steps that need to be taken.
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What will you use the farm shed for? 5 things to consider for your new Farm Shed
The next thing to consider is your intended use of the farm shed. This is a very important consideration as it will frame the type of shed you get designed. Maybe even consider a higher roof to allow more storage space by adding a mezzanine now or at a later stage?
Your needs for your shed may require storing valuables inside like machinery or equipment so you may want lockable roller doors? Do you need a motorised door for simpler access? If the shed is to be used for industrial purposes, do you need extra room for additional spaces for an office or a stockroom? You might like to consider getting free power in the future so make sure your roof is solar-ready. It’s important to get the correct design at the beginning as a retrofit could prove very expensive.
Consider exactly what you will be using a shed for? Decide on the right type of shed that will work for you. Consider the uses of a multiple purpose shed and what purposes these will be?
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Stormwater Storage – 5 things to consider for your new Farm Shed
Your new farm shed roof is a great catchment area for rain. In a country where drought is normal, it is a waste to let all your rainwater escape. A 15m x 30m shed, where the annual rainfall is around 500mm can collect well-over 240,000 litres of water! Many areas of Australia are prone to drought and can go months without any rain. Many people overlook that water storage can be built into a hay shed for the capture of stormwater. Stormwater storage is worth the investment and should be a consideration for all Australian farms.
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Shed manufacturing process
In Australia now, almost every shed is manufactured from steel. Steel has the qualities of durability and versatility so it is the best option for a rural environment prone to harsh weather conditions.
All steel shed manufacturing businesses can provide you with a quote based on the type and size of shed you require. Most businesses will be able to help you and advise with the perfect design to suit. After the groundwork is done and the steel frame is erected, your shed can be completed in as little as a day.
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Don’t buy until you compare Quotes
Not all steel and not all farm sheds are created equal! Your cheapest quote will almost certainly be below Australian Standards and may be supplied with soft imported mild steel.
Even the quote that has all-Australian high tensile steel may well be dodgy. Often you can note that purlins or Top hats are less than 1mm thick. Did you know that Colorbond states that their products, Colorbond or Zincalume should NOT be attached to steel less than 1mm thick? There are plenty of engineers who are willing to certify sheds to Australian Standard who ignore this important specification!
Your shed may be cheaper because not enough steel has been used. This is very common with most of the shed companies in Australia. It’s done because they know that the buyers don’t have the necessary skills to work out that the shed is below Australian Standards and is not heavy enough to take the stresses of our Australian Climate.
How to Check your quote – 5 things to consider for your new Farm Shed
There is one company that we know who will supply you with the information. It’s free of charge to check out their quote and any other quote you might receive. You may not end up buying from them, but it makes sense to at least ask them for a quote for your comparison purposes. They will tell you the minimum specifications of the steel that should be used, how to ‘spot’ foreign imported steel, and how to use The Shed Test. Make sure you at least get a quote from Professional Choice Sheds , the first thing to note on their quote is that the mass of your shed (weight) will be around 30% – 40% more because it has to be to match our Australian Standards.
Further Reading
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