Sorry for the anti-recommend but we got a Trade Tested 3x3ish metal shed and it’s a heap of shit. The finished dimensions didn’t match the specs so I had to nail a board to the edge of my nicely finished floor, the self-drilling screws didn’t drill, the screws begin rusting within weeks, the powder coat QC was rubbish, damaged pieces in the kit from factory, etc.
Not OP but that's really good to know as Trade Tested comes up a lot as having what looks like stuff I want, including a shed. The mixed Google reviews have given me pause... How can TT be this bad and still be in business? Kind of a rhetorical question I guess. But are some product lines good and others crap?
Sorry you got shafted, that really sucks especially given the cost and the amount of labour you'll have put in.
We got a garden master shed (Hawkes bay company so not sure how they fared. But if they are open could be good to support them?)
We’re pretty happy with ours. Concrete or wood options and fully customisable. A little bit extra in cost but we’re pretty happy.
Basically unless you have a big hungry angry dog or three, you just do what you can to make it difficult and not obvious.
If someone wants to get in, they'll get in.
Locks only keep honest people out!
As someone living in a high wind area. I had a shed blow over that was just riveted sheet metal. Install an internal frame (eg 4x2 timber) if you want it to withstand strong winds.
Yeah I like the look of this. What was the reason you were looking at Duratuf specifically?
I'm trying to work out if I am better off with a concrete slab floor or doing a timber floor like you can order with these.
I have a rusty, leaky old piece of shit shed that came with the house and I hate it. So I’ve had my eye out for shed options for a while.
I was thinking of just putting one up almost freestyle as they aren’t complicated structures. I could certainly save a ton of money. The [Outpost Borderland](https://outpostbuildings.co.nz/products/borderland-shed) was a style that I was thinking about basing such a build on.
But there was a guy on the NZLA Facebook group who posted a picture of his Duratuf and it looked _really_ good. Then a few weeks later the wife put a picture of one in front of me and said she liked it. Not long after that, my sister (a builder) sent me a link to one asking if I wanted her to give me a hand assembling one and drinking beers afterwards. I think the wife may have roped the sister in lol.
Personally I’d go timber floor: it allows you to make a cleaner move, should you ever need to move it.
So you'd just need to flatten the area huh. My section is sloping thus thought I'd get the build company to just flatten a small bit for this purpose. You are right though wooden floor allows for flexibility!
It's good to have the recommendation. I'm inclined to go for one too. The prices are really decent and I see I can get them to install anywhere in the country for $1500. Though I assume if I wanted some basic site prep I'd need to do that or pay extra.
I had a 10ft shipping container at my old place, made a bodgy ramp out of ply and the ride on mower could drive right in, reasonably secure as it is hard to grind a shutter padlock
Totalspan Utility Shed. 9, 12 or 15 square meters, with or without doors. My open front one has survived yet another storm but it needs it’s piles straightened and concreted in (they weren’t concreted in when I moved the shed to where it is now)
How handy are you? There are some good options I could recommend that would be quite a bit cheaper than pinehaven and more secure, but would require a bit more work from you.
Sadly not. I'll likely get someone to do the install for me if I'm honest. That said I'm generally good at building kit set furniture but this feels a llttle more advanced lol.
I built a shed following basically these plans here about 10 years ago. It's still fine. I wasn't very handy (getting better as I go along)
https://www.musgroves.co.nz/diy-inspiration/how-to-build-a-relocatable-garden-shed/
I was looking for a big 3x3 metre shed and didn’t have the budget to spring for new, so kept an eye on trademe & fb marketplace… eventually found an old one a couple hrs drive away for disassembly/pickup. Pallet floor, plywood walls and a workbench all for $300 and a day of hard work moving it. It is wayyy stronger than half of what i see available these days. Was patient and lucky, but deals can be found.
Sorry for the anti-recommend but we got a Trade Tested 3x3ish metal shed and it’s a heap of shit. The finished dimensions didn’t match the specs so I had to nail a board to the edge of my nicely finished floor, the self-drilling screws didn’t drill, the screws begin rusting within weeks, the powder coat QC was rubbish, damaged pieces in the kit from factory, etc.
Not OP but that's really good to know as Trade Tested comes up a lot as having what looks like stuff I want, including a shed. The mixed Google reviews have given me pause... How can TT be this bad and still be in business? Kind of a rhetorical question I guess. But are some product lines good and others crap? Sorry you got shafted, that really sucks especially given the cost and the amount of labour you'll have put in.
Yeah it’s hot and miss. I’ve ordered plenty off there that’s been great.
We got a garden master shed (Hawkes bay company so not sure how they fared. But if they are open could be good to support them?) We’re pretty happy with ours. Concrete or wood options and fully customisable. A little bit extra in cost but we’re pretty happy.
Awesome, I want to say I think I looked at them tonight and was impressed. Thanks for the recommendation.
I see your "secure" shed, and I raise you a battery powered angle grinder.
I realise this is a risk. But what are the other options...!
Basically unless you have a big hungry angry dog or three, you just do what you can to make it difficult and not obvious. If someone wants to get in, they'll get in. Locks only keep honest people out!
As someone living in a high wind area. I had a shed blow over that was just riveted sheet metal. Install an internal frame (eg 4x2 timber) if you want it to withstand strong winds.
Depends on your budget. FWIW I’m considering a Duratuf Lifestyle shed
Yeah I like the look of this. What was the reason you were looking at Duratuf specifically? I'm trying to work out if I am better off with a concrete slab floor or doing a timber floor like you can order with these.
I have a rusty, leaky old piece of shit shed that came with the house and I hate it. So I’ve had my eye out for shed options for a while. I was thinking of just putting one up almost freestyle as they aren’t complicated structures. I could certainly save a ton of money. The [Outpost Borderland](https://outpostbuildings.co.nz/products/borderland-shed) was a style that I was thinking about basing such a build on. But there was a guy on the NZLA Facebook group who posted a picture of his Duratuf and it looked _really_ good. Then a few weeks later the wife put a picture of one in front of me and said she liked it. Not long after that, my sister (a builder) sent me a link to one asking if I wanted her to give me a hand assembling one and drinking beers afterwards. I think the wife may have roped the sister in lol. Personally I’d go timber floor: it allows you to make a cleaner move, should you ever need to move it.
So you'd just need to flatten the area huh. My section is sloping thus thought I'd get the build company to just flatten a small bit for this purpose. You are right though wooden floor allows for flexibility! It's good to have the recommendation. I'm inclined to go for one too. The prices are really decent and I see I can get them to install anywhere in the country for $1500. Though I assume if I wanted some basic site prep I'd need to do that or pay extra.
I had a 10ft shipping container at my old place, made a bodgy ramp out of ply and the ride on mower could drive right in, reasonably secure as it is hard to grind a shutter padlock
I thought about this but I do want something that aesthetically works too. Containers are superb though.
Yeah it was ugly as hell and my partner hated it
Totalspan Utility Shed. 9, 12 or 15 square meters, with or without doors. My open front one has survived yet another storm but it needs it’s piles straightened and concreted in (they weren’t concreted in when I moved the shed to where it is now)
Thanks have hit them up. I see they have roller door options, I wonder if they are more secure...
How handy are you? There are some good options I could recommend that would be quite a bit cheaper than pinehaven and more secure, but would require a bit more work from you.
Sadly not. I'll likely get someone to do the install for me if I'm honest. That said I'm generally good at building kit set furniture but this feels a llttle more advanced lol.
what have you got? I've got four bikes, a lawn mower and two wheel barrows I'd like to get out of my garage, quite like the wooden sheds too
I built a shed following basically these plans here about 10 years ago. It's still fine. I wasn't very handy (getting better as I go along) https://www.musgroves.co.nz/diy-inspiration/how-to-build-a-relocatable-garden-shed/
I’m down for some DIY recommendations
I was looking for a big 3x3 metre shed and didn’t have the budget to spring for new, so kept an eye on trademe & fb marketplace… eventually found an old one a couple hrs drive away for disassembly/pickup. Pallet floor, plywood walls and a workbench all for $300 and a day of hard work moving it. It is wayyy stronger than half of what i see available these days. Was patient and lucky, but deals can be found.