What is the most cost-effective shearing shed design? How can I get the best value for my money?
If you are planning a new shearing shed build, you are likely looking for ways to maximise your investment, which is a smart idea given the current market and economic conditions.
One way to do this is to create a cost-effective and versatile shearing shed design.
This can provide cost savings along with the full benefits of a new shearing shed – and more – without sacrificing quality, safety and functionality.
This article is a discussion around the main ways you can create a cost-effective shearing shed design, from building a multi-use shed to saving money on standard span sizes.
Let’s get into it!
5 Ways To Create A Cost-Effective Shearing Shed Design
1
Design For Versatility
Designing your new shearing shed so that it can be uses year-round, rather than just at shearing, is a great way to get the most out of your investment.
There are several ways you can achieve this.
Firstly, we always recommend that you consider upsizing your wool room.
We have never had a client build a shed that is “too big” and the advantage of increasing the wool room size is that it becomes a great storage area throughout the year for machinery and equipment.
Secondly, if you are not shearing a large number of sheep each year, you can afford to play around with the shed design more – and design your shed with a dual purpose in mind.
For example, you could consider fitting out several bays of a shed with a modular shearing system and using the remaining bays for machinery storage.
Finally, consider incorporating covered yards into your shearing shed design.
A yard cover doesn’t just keep sheep dry ahead of shearing, it is a useful working area year-round and much more versatile than the alternative – having sheep on grating.
This leads us to our next discussion point – covering your yards can save you money, too!
2
Cover Your Sheep Yards
Incorporating a sheep yard cover into your new shearing shed isn’t just a way to create a multi-use facility.
We recommend covering your sheep yards so that you can take advantage of the cost-savings too.
Having sheep undercover in the yards is typically more cost-effective than having sheep on grating in the shed.
It allows you to reduce the amount of grating that needs to be installed, reduce the overall size of the shed and allows you to take advantage of the benefits of a yard cover, year-round.
3
Look After Your Staff
Not only do you have a duty of care towards your staff, but it pays to look after them. Your staff are one of your most important assets, particularly given the labour shortages in the wool industry.
Looking after your people improves staff retention, helps you to avoid unreliable labour and supports your reputation as an employer of choice, helping to attract new staff.
Shearing teams are putting safe shearing sheds with good amenities first, often leaving those without these facilities in the lurch, delaying shearing or having to pay a premium to get a team.
So, investing in a worker-friendly shearing shed design could save you money in the long run by reducing recruitment costs and delays at shearing.
Good facilities are a positive contribution to the future of the industry too.
And remember, there are some things you can’t put a price on, from making shearing less stressful to making sure everyone gets home safely each day.
There are several ways you can ensure your new shearing shed puts your people first:
Firstly, ask for their input and involvement in the shearing shed design, especially on details like board design and safety.
Secondly, include up-to-date amenities such as a lunch room, bathrooms and a separate grinding room.
Thirdly, pay attention to details that will make the shearing team’s job easier and more comfortable like lighting, ventilation and sloped catching pens.
The new shearing shed at Telopea Downs is an excellent example of a safe and up-to-date facility and will provide plenty of inspiration.
The AWI Safe Sheds program also has some great resources and actionable advice.
4
Choose A Standard Span
One of the easiest ways to create a cost-effective design – for any shed project – is to choose a standard span size (where practical).
Our standard span range is a collection of span sizes that have been researched and developed over several years to suit the agricultural industry and the various farm shed uses.
There are two main benefits of using a standard span for your shearing shed.
The first is cost.
Choosing a standard span for your project will make your shearing shed design more cost-efficient. This is because a new truss jig doesn’t have to be set up to accommodate your custom span size.
Secondly, this also means your shed moves through the factory quickly which helps avoid manufacturing delays and improves project timeframes. This is an important consideration as shearing shed projects are often time-bound.
You can learn more about our range of standard spans and find out if they are a good fit for your project, here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds?
5
Install A Cost-Effective Fit-Out
Usually, the bulk of the cost of a new shearing shed build is not the shed itself but the fit-out component.
We have already discussed how you can reduce project costs by reducing the amount of grating area.
There are several other potential cost-savings when it comes to a shearing shed fit-out.
Firstly, some board designs are more cost-effective than others.
For example, a straight-board design is most cost-effective while a curved board is more expensive – a curved board design is still the most popular option though, as the benefits outweigh the cost.
Secondly, there is usually a significant price difference between modular shearing shed fit-outs and custom fit-outs.
As a guide, a custom fit-out typically costs $40,000/stand while a modular fit-out costs $20,000/stand.
Remember, to choose the option that is the best fit for your project rather than just making the decision based on price.
A custom fit-out is usually the best option for large-scale operations while a modular fit-out can work well for smaller or multi-use sheds or semi-permanent setups.
Finally, the fit-out supplier you choose to work with on your project can significantly impact project costs – now and in the future.
Generally, with shearing shed fit-outs, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings true.
For example, ProWay Livestock Equipment fit-outs are widely considered the most premium product and design service available – and their prices typically reflect this.
That’s a wrap on creating a cost-effective shearing shed design!
We hope these five discussion points have provided food for thought and been helpful for your project planning.
Factors That Influence Project Costs
Remember, to make sure that your cost-cutting doesn’t impact the functionality and quality of the shed, otherwise, it may cost you more in the long term in maintenance or adjustments.
One of the ways to avoid this situation is to understand the different factors that contribute to the cost of a project, which you can learn about here – How Much Does It Cost To Build A Shearing Shed?
Cost-Effective Shearing Shed Design Inspiration Gallery
For more information and articles like this, browse the Learning Hub. For advice and pricing on your cost-effective shearing shed design, speak with one of our building consultants – Call 1800 687 888.
