Before the garden shed moves in

A well-maintained garden only truly becomes inviting with a charming garden shed. Anyone planning to buy one this spring should start preparations soon.

First, it needs to be determined whether a building permit is required for the garden shed. This varies from state to state and depends on the size, intended use, and location. Anyone wanting to be sure the shed will be allowed to remain should consult the relevant state building code before purchasing it. An even simpler solution is to take the brochure to the responsible building authority and show the chosen shed to the relevant official.

The next consideration is the location. While a shady spot under old trees may have its charm, leaves and moisture will cause the boards to rot quickly. To protect the wood, a sunny, ideally windy spot is more suitable.

Here, the foundation can finally be laid: a solid foundation is crucial for later stability. If the garden shed is only intended for storing garden tools, compacting the soil is usually sufficient. Otherwise, the area should be excavated to a depth of 25 to 30 centimeters and filled with gravel. The concrete slabs on which the garden shed will later stand are then laid on the gravel bed. For larger garden sheds or very soft soil, the foundation must be particularly stable. Reinforcing mesh is helpful in these cases. These grid-like mats made of iron bars stabilize the concrete and prevent it from cracking.

A more popular, durable, but also more expensive option is a foundation made of stone parquet on reinforced concrete slabs, suitable for all types of garden sheds. However, this option should ideally be installed by a professional, as a concrete foundation requires expertise.

Whichever solution you choose, a solid and level foundation is crucial. Making mistakes here will not only lead to problems later, such as crooked walls, malfunctioning doors and windows, and a short lifespan for your chosen house. Furthermore, you won't be able to make a claim, as the warranty becomes void if the foundation isn't up to standard.

Sources: gartenmagazine.de, gartenhaus-gmbh.de, t-online.de, bauen-und-heimwerken.de