Your Shed Base – What You Need to Know

Before we roll up with your brand new shed, summerhouse or garden building, there are a few important steps to make sure your site is ready.

Don’t worry - this guide explains everything you need to know about preparing the correct base, and why it matters.

A good base is the difference between a building that lasts for years… and one that causes problems from day one.

THE BASE: The Foundation of Your Building

Your shed base is the foundation of your building's strength, stability and long-term durability. It's one of the most important parts of the whole process — and if the base isn't right, the building can't perform as it should. A properly prepared base ensures:

  • Your building sits solid and secure
  • Doors and windows open and close correctly
  • The floor stays protected and level
  • Rainwater drains away properly
  • Your building lasts as long as it should

Suitable Base Options

We recommend the following base types.

Please note: we do not carry out work for concrete bases or patio slab bases.

✔ Concrete Slab

A solid concrete slab is an excellent option as long as it is fully level.

✔ Paving Slabs

  • laid on a proper sub-base
  • firmly bedded down
  • fully level
  • not rocking or moving

Level: Your building must sit completely level. This is essential to keep the structure square, prevent twisting, and ensure doors remain aligned and easy to use.

Correctly Sized: Your base should be built to the exact size of the building being installed.If the base is too small, the building won’t sit properly. If the base is too large, it can cause water pooling around the building, which may lead to damp issues over time.

Solid and Stable: The base must be firm, secure, and capable of supporting the full weight of the building.

For additional protection, we also offer our Timber Bearer Service, which helps improve airflow beneath your building and protects the floor.

👉 Read more about our Timber Bearer Service here.

What’s NOT Suitable?

Unfortunately, we cannot install onto the following:

❌ Grass or soil

❌ Uneven ground

❌ Loose slabs or slabs laid directly onto earth

❌ Loose gravel or chippings without proper compaction

Even small differences can cause the building to twist, affecting door alignment and overall longevity.

Need Advice?

If you’re unsure whether your base is suitable, just get in touch.

You can also send us a few photos of the area and we’ll happily advise before installation day.

Don’t Have a Base? Read here about our Timber Frame Base Service