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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Ballarat
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    Default New shed. Buy or build

    Ok guys, I'm going to call it and say we are new home owners....well us and the bank. We got the official letter saying to go ahead even though it is full of caveats
    We started to price sheds as there isn't anything suitable for a workshop there. I pretty much stopped after the first quote for an 8 metre by 4 metre shed without the concrete, in kit form and I erect it.
    This shed came in at a ballpark figure of $6000. Hmmm, I'm going to be without a shed for easy a couple of years.
    We are now looking at shipping containers to build the good old modular shed and after a quick scan on youtube there is some pretty good ideas.
    Has anyone gone down this path before? Where we are going you don't need a permit for containers so long as they can't be seen from the road even though every second house we saw out that way has visible shipping containers from the road.
    The thread on what to spray/coat on shed equipment has been very timely so I have decided to use the heavy duty Lanotec.
    A big thanks for everyone that kept their fingers crossed, it worked . It keeps amazing me what this forum can achieve
    Now the long wait until September 1st.

    Phil

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
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    Default

    Friend of mine used a shipping container for a workshop and it worked quite well. The main issue was getting the machine layout right so that access to everything was possible.
    Insulation and a proper roof are probably worthwhile improvements if it is going to be temporary for a while.

    Michael

  4. #3
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    Sep 2011
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    Ballarat
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    Default

    Hi Michael,
    I agree the layout will be challenging but the ideas are out there.
    I was thinking along the lines of two or maybe even a second floor.
    Have a look at this guy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvJJfmyV_ms

    Phil

  5. #4
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    Aug 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
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    Default

    Congratulations on the success with the house.

    Containers are viable as workshops but you'll need to address the ventilation issues.

    Friends of ours had machinery stored in a container for an extended period in a cold wet area of SA (a bit like Ballarat in climate) and it's now a container of rusted junk. An operational workshop is a bit different to a storage facility but the principle holds.

    The railways here have a number of containers used as workshops and they all have whirlybird style ventilators fitted to the roof so that may be the way to go.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    I would worry most about cold nights and condensation in a container. I know that a sealed shipping container at sea can collect several liters of condensation water each day. It will also get unbearably hot in summer, unless you can provide some shade. If it is only to bridge the time to erect your own shed, it may be fine. And after you can always use a containerfor storage of "ferrous treasures". Or sell it on.

    Re the shed, I highly recommend you spend the money at least for the ceiling sarking, even if funds are tight now with the new home. It cannot be installed afterwards (or it is very time consuming to do). Also, I found the concrete slab is a major cost factor when putting up a shed. Something like $600 per square meter (but that was 10 years ago). Spend the time or money or both to properly level the ground before putting the shed up. The first shed (9x15m) I built 20 years ago we did the clearing and leveling with the FEL tractor on the quick. It was a big mistake. When time came to pour the slab (in this case we did it after erecting the shed) I spent weeks with the shovel trying to level, and we still ended up with a slap too thin in places. You can not level everything with roadbase before pouring. The second shed 10 years ago on our new place (9x18m) we did the slab first, much much easier, no hand digging for column foundations, and I did not spend a week with the pressure washer to get dried splashed concrete off the shed walls.

    EDIT: sorry typo, of course slab is $60/m2 not 600/m2

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Kyabram. Vic
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    826

    Default

    Phil,

    At somewhere around 2g for a container the price soon stacks up for a couple of them; then there is the conversion. The shed that you priced seems way too expensive for that size. Have you considered Dinkum sheds, Ranbuild(pricey) Trubuilt or any others that have agents around Ballarat. What about a decent sized double (or larger) garage. 6g should get you the kit; concrete and possibly some of the elecs.
    You are a big boy now and I am sure you could put the mechano set together. Have a working bee and have an erection.

    Ken

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
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    65
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    899

    Default

    Shed prices must be a lot higher in regional Vic.
    I recently got a quote (11-7-14) for a shed up here in Newcastle.
    It was from the local Fair dinkum shed distributor.
    Shed size was 8m span X 9m long. 2.5 m high at the eaves, 2 roller doors, 1 window. and vermin flashing.
    Kit price was $8500 inc GST , and delivered to the site.

    regards
    bollie7

  9. #8
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    Jun 2011
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    Australia east coast
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    Default

    You've seen my shed. It cost me less than $30K all up but I did it myself. Bit bigger than you have in mind, I expect. WRT the container idea, it's viable but not all that cheap. If you go this way, make *sure* you buy the high cube containers. The extra height is essential IMO. Friend of mine has done this, it works well. I may buy one myself, soon, as I want to move timber and stuff out of my shed. OTOH I might just extend the shed..... WRT internal condensation, maybe yes, maybe no. I'll bet I have far more experience with containers than anyone else on this forum when it comes to workshops, labs etc because I was responsible for a dozen of them we put aboard ships every year plus a pile we kept down south. Most had insulation, some didn't. We did not get massive condensation inside. My personal tools sat in an unlined, uninsulated container in Tasmania for 6 years and suffered no harm. I suspect that stories of massive damage inside can be traced to poor quality containers or door seals. Given the footprint I think they're a poor choice for a workshop on land. I'd build a shed. PDW

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    68
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bollie7 View Post
    Shed prices must be a lot higher in regional Vic.
    Kit price should be the same as in Melbourne, delivery is extra but that is not much to Ballarat. (hint: have something on site to help with unloading, like a forklift or tractor/FEL with forks, or a few strong friends. Otherwise the truck driver will just kick the stuff over the side and on the paddock). However they usually quote for a bare Zincalume shed. Colorbond walls and/or roof is extra, higher wind rating is extra (depends on site), every door is extra, every window is extra, every roof vent is extra, subdivision walls are extra, anchor points for a chainblock (handy for lifting machines) is extra, roof sarking is extra, shire permit plans are included but the permit itself is extra.... it very quickly all adds up. Then what you do with rain water; they usually do include gutter and downpipes to the floor in the basic quote - up to you to hook it up to a stormwater drain.... or maybe to a water tank which again adds to cost, and with the tank you need a pump.... and power to the pump... In my personal experience, the cost of the basic bare shed kit is just a fraction of the total cost, maybe a quarter or even less. Of course, one can save just as much as the kit cost if one takes care of the erection. Also the electrical installation can easily be done at good savigs, just need to find an electrician to check it and sign off.

    EDIT: Nowdays, if you let someone erect a shed, you will pay for red tape. They now must come with a scaffold, not allowed anymore to use ladders. Same with putting the light fittings up, they must use a scaffold or a lift, whereas you can still do it on your own with a ladder or standing inside the FEL bucket with the wife at the wheel. A contractor could never do that.. OHS rules...

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay Qld
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    Default

    Something that may help those with the differences between shed kits. Note the weight of the kits.That where most of the cost differences are.

    For myself, I wanted something that would stand up to the cyclonic winds when necessary. I wanted a shed where the columns are not dynabolted into the concrete. Rather, I favored those designs that were bolted to heavy saddles which in turn were cast through the concrete slab and into a deep concrete footing below that.

    Typical cheapy kits like that have very thin wall thickness on the columns. I measured some and the folded not rolled ones were not thick enough for me to consider them. Those light weight thin wall thickness, floor level jobbies in some circumstances have to be candidates for corrosion down the track. Add to this, that some steel sheds don't use Aussie steel or galvanizing thicknesses to Aussie standards and the picture begins to form.

    In my travels as a teacher and tech, I have been in many, many sheds and have noted in a lot of older ones the bad corrosion areas down around the floor level and about to 300mm up. More electrolysis than just plain corrosion I suspect!

    Combine together potential circumstances of corrosion, thinner than average gal coating, a thin wall steel column thickness and an almighty cyclonic event and you may see the cause of my concern. It beggars belief that some of these cheap examples are certified "shed safe"

    I would only consider were those that were rolled steel C channel from 2.4mm steel thickness and upwards. From memory there were 300 and 400 kgs weight differences over the kit weights of competing sheds.

    The 200x 75 x 2.4mmw/t columns are bolted to the embedded 50 x 6mm U saddles about 50mm above concrete level and the closest the column comes to to the concrete floor is 25mm or so. Given that I am looking at another possible 25 years ahead of me, I want the shed standing standing for at least that

    Certainly some of the circumstances may be different for where you are living and your needs will be different from mine, but it is food for thought.

    Grahame

  12. #11
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    Sep 2007
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    Country West Oz
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    Default

    Have you considered a second hand shed, there are some good ones around, you just have to be prepared to wait for the right one to come up.
    I have just recently bought a 6m x 6m colourbond shed with welded steel trusses and columns, 2.7m walls, only 1 door and no windows, in almost mint condition for $700, which included light fittings inside and out, stainless steel sink, roof ventilators and workbench.
    I did have to dismantle it myself, took me and a mate 1 day.
    Now all I have to do is the concrete slab, which is going to cost a damn site more than the shed.
    Regards
    Bradford

  13. #12
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    Jan 2004
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    Mackay Qld
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BRADFORD View Post
    Now all I have to do is the concrete slab, which is going to cost a damn site more than the shed.
    This begs an interesting question.What prices per sq meter are being charged around the country?

    Quite recently ,I was quoted $85 per sq meter for boxing, leveling out, sand ,visqueen and mesh, chairs and concrete and finishing.

    Given things are quiet, the prices should be better than this.

    Grahame

  14. #13
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    Jun 2008
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
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    Default

    Hi Phil,

    I built a kit shed, two of them as it happens.. one 6x6 and the other 15x7.5, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't use the kit approach, I'd build it from scratch, conventional design C section purlins and welded frames, with colour bond cladding, and spend a few extra quid on lining the whole thing with insulation... 3 phase power, and a roof high enough to put in a decent gantry crane..

    If you keep a look out for the materials, you can often pickup what you need at bargain prices, and slowly accumulate what's required.

    Then again, there's always the dining room....

    Ray

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
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    Are there any restrictions on who can build what?

    I know some areas are highly restricted on what you can build yourself, requiring engineers drawings and certifications in some areas..

    In other areas like around here, it is a free for all... Do what you like, when you like..
    Light red, the colour of choice for the discerning man.

  16. #15
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    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Hi Phil,

    I built my own shed. It was a 9Mx7Mx3M wall height from Stratco. The price was $8700 about 3 years ago. It came with plans to submit to the the local building surveyor. I needed both a building and a planning permit. The building permit cost $600 (with 2 visits) and the planning permit was free. The footings for my shed had two options, width and depth for a dirt floor and width and depth with a slab. I didn't have the money for a slab at the time so I opted for the footings for a shed that did not need a slab. They were 600 diameter and 1000mm deep! The frames went in about 500mm of that. I levelled everything with a laser level and was very fussy about squareness of the sides. In the end I have a shed that I'm proud of. I figured that if I want good products to come out of a shed then it starts with the shed!

    Later on I got the money for the slab so now it also has a 100mm slab on top of the footings! The concreter lives around the corner from me and has done a few jobs for me. He gave me a great price for labouring for him. He also did a polished finish so that it brooms nice and easily. All up he charged me $2500 for 64 sq M of slab. I also put black plastic under the slab, which the concreter did not thank me for since he was here til 9:00pm waiting for it to cure enough to finish!

    I did have a couple of quotes for building the shed and it was around 1/3 of the price of the shed. So, I saved about $3000 on that AND did a better job!

    Can't comment on containers for a shed, but if you make a big square quadrangle then you can be a disaster preper and store lots of food etc for when the world economy collapses!

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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