When Corey found a shed kit online at a heavily discounted rate, it seemed like an incredible deal—almost too good to pass up. Eager to add extra storage space to his property, he paid for the kit upfront, and 10 weeks later, a semi-truck arrived to drop off the materials in his front yard. It was an exciting day, or so Corey thought. Little did he know this was just the beginning of his shed nightmare.
The Owner-Builder Responsibility
Corey decided to take on the project as an owner-builder, meaning he was responsible for managing every aspect of the shed’s construction. This included engaging a builder and a concreter, obtaining council approval, and taking on full liability for ensuring the project met all legal and safety requirements. Armed with what he thought were complete plans from the online kit supplier, Corey dove into the approval process.
However, things quickly took a turn when the council refused to grant Building Rules Consent. The building drawings provided by the shed kit manufacturer were “generic” and did not match the exact dimensions of the structure. To make matters worse, the wind speed rating in the drawings didn’t comply with the higher wind speeds specific to his property.
A Shed Too Big and No Support from the Supplier
Upon further investigation, Corey discovered another significant issue—the shed was actually larger than what he needed. The generic plans didn’t account for this, meaning that the structure would have to be manually cut down to size, which would be complicated and time-consuming.
Stuck with a shed that didn’t meet council requirements, Corey turned to the online kit supplier for help. Unfortunately, they washed their hands of the issue, stating that their role was purely to deliver the materials. They directed Corey to their website for a list of “preferred builders” who could supposedly assist with the project.
Builders Refuse the Project
Corey, now feeling the pressure, reached out to each of the builders listed on the supplier’s site. One by one, they all refused to take on the job. Many explained that they’d been burnt by online shed kits before. The extra time required to adjust the shed’s size, decipher unclear assembly instructions, and ensure compliance with local building codes simply wasn’t worth the effort. Some builders even noted that modifying the shed’s wind speed rating to meet the area’s requirements was too risky.
One builder summed it up bluntly: “Our public liability insurance won’t cover us if we build it.” Faced with no professional help and no other options, Corey was left stranded with a shed kit he couldn’t build or legally approve.
The Importance of a Licensed Builder’s Design
One of the biggest mistakes Corey made was not involving a licensed builder from the start. It’s essential to have a licensed builder design the shed, as they look holistically at the entire project. They take into account council regulations, site conditions, wind ratings, and construction feasibility. Often, the cheapest kit (based purely on material costs) turns out to be the most expensive to build due to poor design or inadequate plans. In these cases, no real savings are gained—in fact, costs can skyrocket as builders have to make time-consuming adjustments to meet compliance.
If Corey had chosen to work with a professional builder like ShedEx Fleurieu from the outset, he would have avoided the costly complications that arose from using a generic, pre-made kit that wasn’t designed with his specific property in mind.
A DIY Disaster: Friends, Family, and Equipment Costs
With no builders willing to take on the project, Corey had no choice but to attempt the build himself. Embarrassingly, he had to enlist friends and family, asking them to give up several weekends and even take annual leave from work to help. It was a big ask, and while they tried to be supportive, it soon became apparent that the job was much bigger and more complex than any of them expected.
Corey also found himself spending far more than planned on tools, ladders, and equipment necessary for the build. He had to buy everything from drills and saws to scaffolding, all adding to the mounting costs. The once “budget-friendly” shed kit now had a price tag that was spiralling out of control.
Breaking the Law and Future Consequences
To make matters worse, because Corey couldn’t get full council approval for his shed, he now found himself breaking the law and facing potential fines and penalties. Constructing a building without proper approvals is illegal, and the consequences can be severe.
Additionally, by building a non-compliant structure, Corey had potentially voided his insurance in the event of a claim. If anything were to happen to the shed—such as damage from a storm or an accident—his insurance provider would likely refuse to cover the costs due to the lack of council approval.
When it comes time to sell his property, Corey will also be obligated to disclose on the required Form 1 that his shed does not have approval. This could lead to complications or reduced property value, as potential buyers may be put off by the risk and legal liability of a non-compliant structure.
The Financial and Emotional Toll
The project that Corey expected to complete in a few weekends soon stretched into months of back-and-forth emails, phone calls, and council visits. The time he spent trying to fix the shed issue meant sacrificing weekends, missing out on quality time with loved ones, and losing hard-earned annual leave. What started as an exciting DIY project became a source of stress, embarrassment, and regret.
In an attempt to salvage the project, Corey spent extra money consulting with other builders and engineers, trying to make the kit work within council guidelines. What was supposed to be a cost-effective solution quickly turned into a money pit, eating away at his savings.
The ShedEx Fleurieu Difference
At ShedEx Fleurieu, we do things differently.
We custom-design sheds tailored to your needs, taking into account exact dimensions, wind ratings, and local regulations.
Our team manages council approvals, construction, and compliance to ensure a seamless, stress-free experience.
Don’t make the same mistake Corey did—contact ShedEx Fleurieu today at (08) 8552 9092.
Your shed is an investment—let’s build it right.
