How much does a Brick Shed Cost?

Factors Impacting a Brick Shed Cost

As we’ve mentioned, it isn’t easy to give an average cost indication since sheds can vary substantially. Some of the primary cost factors are explored below.

Size of Your Brick Shed

The first element is to work out what size your brick shed will be. You could be building a brick structure to use purely for storage or as a small garden office, in which case the average cost will be around £9,000.

If you’re looking for a standard size of around seven feet square, you would expect the raw materials to include concrete, bricks, cement, roof timbers, windows, doors, roofing materials and sundries.

Sizing will also impact the labour cost – in the UK, the average is around £160 per day. Larger, more complex structures will doubtless require more days of work, in which case your labour costs will increase.

Foundations

Brick sheds are far more substantial than a timber version and require a solid foundation to build upon. A concrete slab foundation is one of the most straightforward, and the costs will depend on the size of the shed and how extensive the preparation works are.

Pouring a concrete foundation starts at around £650 for a 10 x 10 foot shed, up to £3,000 or so for a large 24 square foot construction. The depth of the footings and trenches required will also impact how many days of labour are needed.

Roofing Materials

Whatever you will be using your brick shed for, you will need to have a watertight roof. This ensures that rainwater cannot seep in, protects against frost and ice, and is essential for your structure to remain stable for years to come.

Flat roofs can be cheaper but are less robust and tend to need more maintenance and a faster replacement. Pitched roofs cost more to install but usually last for many years.

If you choose a non-standard roofing material or tiling to match your main home, this will typically add to the budget.

Windows and Doors

There are lots of glazing options out there, from reinforced tempered glass to thick triple glazing. If your brick shed is a workspace or a garden office, you’ll certainly want to choose a heat-insulating glass to ensure the shed remains warm and comfortable.

Windows are also crucial for ventilation, and if you will be working in the brick shed, having opening windows with suitable locks is essential.

Doors are also an important consideration since sheds are a key target for opportunist thieves. We’d recommend thinking about the locks in place and advise against relying on flimsy padlocks as these can easily be removed.

For Locksmith Callout Pricing to quote against the costs of installing robust security locks, complete the online form.

Fixtures and Fittings

To ensure your brick shed will last for years to come, you will need to think about facias, soffits and guttering to manage rainwater runoff.

The average price for these fittings on a medium-sized brick shed could be up to £1,000 depending on the type of roofing and what materials and finishes you select.

These factors will all influence the overall cost, so it’s wise to think about what size, shape and type of construction you would like for your brick shed to ensure your quotations are accurate.

Additional Cost Factors in Building a Brick Shed

As well as the construction and materials, there are additional brick shed costs to consider when putting together your budget.

Examples include:

• Plumbing and electricity requirements. If you need lighting, running water, or other utilities in your brick shed, these will add to the cost. You can request quotations for an Electrician Callout or Plumber Callout through our website.
• Insulation – brick sheds being used other than for storage will need sufficient insulation to avoid low temperatures making the space too cold to work in. You will usually require insulation below the roof panels and within the wall cavities depending on the shed’s purpose.
• Waste materials – digging the trenches for the concrete slab foundation and removing any pre-existing shed structure will require demolition works and labour costs, and skip hire charges to dispose of the rubble and waste.
• Planning permission costs – most brick sheds are classed as Permitted Developments so that you won’t need planning permission. However, if you install a bathroom, use a summerhouse as guest accommodation or fit a kitchen area, you may need approval before work can begin.
• Location – construction work in London and the southeast typically costs more in other areas. This factor can add around 5-10% to the total cost. Rural properties in remote locations also incur additional costs in terms of the required travel time and logistics to transport materials.

It is also vital to have the ground surveyed before foundations are dug. If you have any drainage pipes, water or gas mains or electricity cables underneath the ground, digging these up can be costly and take a substantial amount of time to repair.

By preparing the site thoroughly and ensuring it is safe to build, you will save in the long-term by preventing damage to underground cabling.

Breaking Down the Costs of a Brick Shed

Most quotes will provide you with a breakdown of the core elements of your brick shed cost  – usually split into labour, materials and sundries such as purchasing doors or hiring a skip.

It’s worth reading each quote carefully, as some tradespeople will include additional services from third parties, whereas others will quote solely for the work they are providing.

You might also be able to cut down on your budget slightly if you hire a skip directly or purchase the materials for your tradesperson to work with.

However, it’s essential to check beforehand. Some contractors will only take on jobs where they provide the materials to ensure that warranties or guarantees are valid and the materials of a high enough quality.

As a rough guide, costs break down as:

• Materials – 60%
• Labour – 35%
• Waste removal – 5%

Materials will include bricks, cement, concrete, timbers, roofing tiles or materials and doors and windows.

In most cases, additional works such as installing electricity cables or plumbing will be carried out by a subcontractor, so it’s essential to verify whether their work is also guaranteed.

What are the Benefits of a Brick Shed Over Timber?

Most garden sheds are less robust structures built from timber, and given the additional brick shed cost, it may seem that this is a more cost-effective option.

However, brick sheds are far more diverse, last for many years and require minimal maintenance, so they may be more viable longer-term and improve the value of your property.

Benefits include:

• Durability – although a brick shed will take longer to build than a timber or metal prefab shed, it will last much longer.
• Appearance – a brick shed built in the same style as your property can blend into the home and reflect the same style and period to avoid being a clunky focal point.
• Flexibility – given that a brick shed is built with bricks and mortar, there are no limits on your brick shed’s size, shape, or design.
• Safety – bricks are fire-resistant and can withstand high temperatures without any structural damage.
• Insulation – using brick shed walls of a suitable thickness or with insulation can keep your brick shed at a comfortable temperature and act as soundproofing.
• Brick sheds can add value to your home as a stable structure with multiple uses

There are downsides, mainly because the construction process will take longer, and therefore incur higher labour charges given the additional number of days required on site.

Timber sheds do, though, require annual painting, varnishing or maintenance to avoid problems such as damp or rot setting in, so over time, a brick shed is likely to cost much less in terms of upkeep.

FAQs - The Costs of Building a Brick Shed

Let’s answer some of the most common questions about the costs involved in building a brick shed!

How Long Does it Take to Build a Brick Shed?

The average project will take around two or three weeks, depending on the brick shed’s size, how much preparation work is required, and whether a concrete foundation is needed.

If so, that will need to be prepared, poured, and then left to set, which adds a few days to the total project time.

Do I Need Planning Permission to Install a Brick Shed?

Not usually, no. Brick sheds and outbuildings are often considered under the Permitted Development rules, in which case you don’t need any pre-approval or authorisation to go ahead.

However, if you plan to use the outbuilding for other purposes, such as guest accommodation or fit a kitchen or bathroom, you may need permission.

Outbuildings must be single-storey and less than 2.5 metres tall if within two metres of your property boundary or three metres tall if not to be covered by Permitted Development.

Some areas have different rules, particularly conservation areas, so it is always advisable to check with the local planning authority before your work begins.

Can I Build a Brick Shed By Myself?

Yes, if you have bricklaying experience or are fitting a prefabricated shed, you might consider taking on the project yourself. However, some aspects of a brick shed build should always be left to the professionals, even if you do have building experience.

Jobs such as laying foundations, moving drains and fitting watertight roofs can cost a considerable amount if they aren’t done correctly, so it’s always advisable to use a qualified professional with the right skills.

What Will It Cost to Have My Old Shed Removed?

If you have an existing shed, provided it is timber and can be easily pulled down, the average cost will be about £150 including skip hire – rolled up into the total costs since contractors can often use the same skip for further associated building waste.

Older brick sheds requiring demolition are likely to cost more in the region of £500 to remove. If the concrete foundation remains in good condition, this could be left and re-used for your new brick shed.

However, if the foundation is damaged, cracked, or the wrong size, this will need to be broken up. The main cost factor in that job is labour since removing a concrete slab foundation is labour intensive and can take another couple of days.

It’s important to replace a foundation if it shows any signs of damage, since the stability of the foundation will dictate the lifespan of your brick shed.

Can I Install Lighting in a Brick Shed?

Yes, most sheds will have at least some lighting to ensure you can find stored items in the darker winter evenings or to enable you to work in the shed. If you plan to use it for a workshop or any other kind of workspace, it’s best to opt for higher-quality lighting.

There are lots of choices when it comes to lighting – many homeowners opt for solar panels or fluorescent bulbs to provide good light coverage throughout the area.

Alternatively, you might opt for more sophisticated LEDs, spotlights or security lights if your shed is in an area vulnerable to theft.

Lighting costs will depend on what sort of light fixtures and bulbs you use, how far away from mains cabling the shed is built, and the complexities of running an electricity supply to the shed from your property so it’s a good idea to ask for advice on the cost impact of the different options.