Are you looking for a farm shed builder? And not sure which company is best?
Or are you not sure what you should be looking for in a farm shed builder?
A shed builder needs to be competent and qualified and understand your shed project requirements.
But how do you know if they will be the right fit?
There are a number of questions you can ask your farm shed builder to help you choose the right one for your job.
In this article, we discuss the 10 questions you should be asking.
1. Are You A Registered Builder?
While Action Steel is a registered builder, not all shed manufacturers are.
It is a good idea to check whether your shed manufacturer is a registered builder as there are advantages of working with a registered builder.
And some potential disadvantages if they aren’t registered.
For example, being a registered builder allows Action Steel to apply for the required council permits on your behalf.
The alternative to this is applying for permits yourself as Owner-Builder. This can be time-consuming (and sometimes frustrating) if you are not familiar with the permit application process.
You can learn the requirements and responsibilities of an Owner-Builder, here:
- Being an Owner-Builder in Victoria
- Becoming an Owner-Builder in New South Wales
- Owner Building In South Australia
2. Are Your Sheds Made From Australian-Made Steel?
“Australian-made” is often synonymous with “quality.” And this is certainly the case when it comes to Australian-made steel and steel products.
This is largely due to the high standards and quality control in place in Australian manufacturing.
This is why our sheds are made from Australian steel and Australian steel products from companies including Bluescope and Metroll.
To avoid a poor-quality product and disappointment in the future, we would recommend checking with your shed supplier that the steel for your shed has been made in Australia. This includes the structural steel, the cladding and any other steel components.
3. Do You Manage Permits And Documentation For A Shed Build?
As we have already mentioned, we manage the council permit process on behalf of our customers. This includes collating and submitting all the required drawings and plans and liaising with councils and building inspectors.
Sometimes council permits aren’t the only paperwork required for a shed project, though.
Complex or large-scale shed projects can require additional paperwork such as concrete slab engineering or fire design.
Our building consultants and project managers can coordinate this to ensure the project runs smoothly and is a hassle-free experience for you.
If you aren’t sure if there will be additional documentation for your project, one of our building consultants would be happy to have a chat with you.
And remember to ask your shed builder what their capabilities are when it comes to council permits, engineering and fire design.
4. Do Your Prices Include GST? What Isn’t Included?
Price comparison is an important step for any significant investment or purchase. A farm shed project is no different.
However, it is important to be sure you are comparing ‘apples with apples’ and that you are not being caught out by any hidden costs or exclusions.
One potential exclusion to be aware of is GST charges. While shed manufacturers are legally required to include this in their quotations, some companies will leave this out – or include it in the fine print.
So, it is a good idea to clarify with your shed builder exactly what is or isn’t included in their price.
Read our article – 5 Hidden Costs Of Building A Farm Shed – to learn about other potential price exclusions.
5. If The Price Of Steel Increases, Will I Be Charged More?
Action Steel quotes are valid for 30 days. And if you sign up for your shed within this period, the amount on the quote is the amount that you will be invoiced.
The exception to this is if the erector hits rock and additional footing concrete is required. Or if you make any variations to your project after signing up. For example, you decide to include an extra bay. In this case, you will be requoted and invoiced for the adjusted project.
Farm shed permits may also be an additional cost.
So, if you are building a shed with Action Steel and the price of steel goes up during this time, you will not be charged more. Instead, your signed quote locks in the steel prices for your project.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with every farm shed manufacturer. And it would be pay to make sure you know where your farm shed builder stands on this.
You can learn more about steel price rises in the video below.
6. What Is Your Lead Time?
If your shed project is time-bound, this question is probably front-of-mind.
When asking your shed builder about time frames, clarify whether these are for manufacturing, delivery, or for the completed project.
Currently, our lead time is about four months, however, this does vary from project to project.
You can learn more about the lead times for farm sheds in this article.
7. What Type Of Shed Frame Do You Manufacture? How Strong Is The Shed Frame? Is It Hot-Dip Galvanised?
When it comes to a shed frame it is important to understand how it has been manufactured and the materials used – particularly if you are comparing shed builders.
An Action Steel shed is manufactured from heavy-duty UB columns and open web trusses. (This type of construction is about six times stronger than a c-section purlin shed!)
And the complete frame is fully hot dip galvanised. You can learn why we don’t recommend a painted or pre-galvanised frame on a farm shed in these articles:
8. What Will I Be Responsible For On The Shed Build?
Before committing to a farm shed builder, clarify what the builder will be responsible for and what you will be responsible for.
This helps avoid any confusion around roles and responsibilities.
If you do choose to build a shed with Action Steel, there are two main tasks you will be responsible for, which are:
a) Preparing the shed site
b) Unloading the shed
Watch the video below to learn about our tips for preparing the ideal shed pad.
And you can learn about unloading the iron for your shed, here.
9. Who Will Construct My Shed?
As well as choosing the right shed manufacturer for your project, you will also need to make sure it will be erected by a qualified and competent construction team
Some shed manufacturers will also erect your shed, others may recommend someone, or they may leave you to find your own erection team.
At Action Steel, we work with more than 40 professional sub-contract teams who erect our sheds across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. Our project managers select and schedule these teams to ensure they are the right fit for the project.
10. Do I Need Insurance For My Shed When It Is Being Built?
Yes, we usually advise clients to have their insurance policy in place as soon as the shed is delivered (before it is erected).
This means that you would be covered if any materials were stolen during the erection stage.
For information on updating your current farm shed insurance, read this article – Updating Your Farm Shed Insurance.
We hope these questions and answers help you find the ideal farm shed builder!
Here are some other articles that may help you with your project:
- What Happens If You Build A Farm Shed Without Permits?
- How Much Does It Cost To Build A Farm Shed?
- 50 Of The Best Farm Shed Photos In 2021
For more farm shed resources browse our Learning Hub. And for ideas and inspiration, check out our Latest Projects Gallery.
