British
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Shed Base
Shed Bases & Ground Preparation
A well-made shed needs a firm, level and well-drained base. Before installation, the ground should be checked for slope, softness, standing water, tree roots, old paving, gravel, drains and access for materials. A poor base can cause a shed to twist, settle unevenly, hold damp underneath, or make doors and windows difficult to open over time. This matters especially in British weather, where wet ground, frost, wind and seasonal movement can all affect a garden building.
We offer a choice of base options depending on your garden, your shed size and how permanent you want the installation to be: poured concrete, concrete slabs, timber bases and ground screws. If you already have a suitable concrete pad, paved area or level hardstanding, you may not need a new base. In that case, we’ll ask you to send clear photos of the proposed location so we can check that the surface looks level, stable, square and suitable before we install your shed.
A poured concrete base is the most solid and permanent option. It is usually the best choice where the ground is already reasonably level, where the shed will stay in the same position long-term, or where the garden building needs the strongest possible support. A proper concrete base normally involves clearing the area, excavating the ground, adding and compacting a sub-base such as MOT Type 1 or hardcore, installing formwork, checking levels carefully, adding a damp-proof membrane where appropriate, and pouring the concrete to a consistent depth. Several UK guides describe concrete bases as needing a compacted sub-base, level ground and usually around 75–100mm concrete, with care taken over drainage and curing.
The benefit of concrete is strength, stability and longevity. It gives a very reliable platform and is especially suitable for heavier buildings or customers who want the most permanent solution. The downside is that it is disruptive, less reversible, and not always the best choice for a garden that may change in future. If the shed is removed later, the concrete base remains. That can be useful if the area becomes a patio, seating area or another outbuilding base, but it is not something that can easily be lifted and reused elsewhere.
Concrete is not always ideal for very wet, boggy or heavily sloping ground unless extra groundwork is done first. On soft ground, poor compaction or inadequate sub-base preparation can lead to movement and cracking. On sloped sites, excavation and levelling can increase the labour and cost. For these reasons, concrete should usually be quoted after seeing photos, checking access, and understanding the ground condition.
Concrete Slab Base
A concrete slab base, using individual paving slabs or concrete slabs, is a practical option for many smaller garden sheds. It is usually less permanent than poured concrete, but still gives a firm, hard surface when installed correctly. It works best on reasonably firm ground where the area can be dug out, levelled, filled with a compacted sub-base, and finished with slabs laid flat and square. The main requirement is not the slabs themselves, but the preparation underneath them: the ground must be stable, level and well-drained so the slabs do not rock, sink or move over time. Shed-base guidance consistently stresses that level, well-drained ground is essential for stability and to prevent future issues with doors, windows, damp and movement.
This option can suit a 6x4 or 8x6 shed well, especially where the customer wants something solid but does not want a full poured concrete pad. It may also be a good choice if the garden already has partial hardstanding, gravel or old slabs that can be improved or reset. On loose gravel, the area still needs checking: gravel alone is not always enough unless it is compacted, edged and level. If there is an existing patio or paved surface, we would ask for photos and may ask for level checks before confirming that it is suitable.
The advantage of concrete slabs is that they are familiar, relatively cost-effective, and less final than poured concrete. The disadvantage is that they can shift if the sub-base is poor, and they are not as monolithic or structurally reliable as a single poured slab. For very uneven or sloping ground, ground screws may be cleaner and less disruptive.
Timber Base
A timber base is a made-to-measure structural frame, built to suit your chosen shed and the exact position in your garden. It raises the shed off the ground, helps create airflow underneath, and gives the building a clean, level platform without the permanence of a poured concrete slab. This can be a very good option for smaller sheds, for gardens where the ground is already reasonably firm, and for customers who want a practical base that feels lighter and less disruptive than concrete.
A timber base still needs proper preparation. The ground beneath it should be stable, well-drained and not holding standing water. If the ground is slightly uneven, the frame can often be levelled with suitable supports, pads or ground screws, depending on the site. It is not the right choice to place directly onto soft, wet or unstable soil without preparation, because movement and damp will shorten the life of both the base and the shed.
The main advantages are speed, neatness, airflow and flexibility. A timber base can usually be installed with less mess than concrete, and if the shed is moved in future, the base may be easier to remove or adapt. The trade-off is that timber is not as permanent as concrete, so it must be detailed carefully, kept clear of prolonged ground moisture, and matched to the right ground conditions.
Ground Screws
Ground screws are a very good option where the customer wants a strong but less permanent base. They are steel screws driven into the ground, with a timber frame fixed above to carry the shed. They are especially useful on uneven or sloping gardens because each screw can be set to create a level structure without digging out the whole site. Several UK ground-screw suppliers describe them as faster and cleaner than concrete, with less excavation, less mess, fewer skips, and the possibility of removing or reusing them if the building is relocated.
They can be a good match for gardens with limited access, planted areas, lawns where the customer does not want a large concrete pad, or sites where future flexibility matters. If the shed is removed in the future, the screws and frame can often be removed more cleanly than a concrete slab. This is a strong selling point: the base does not become a permanent scar in the garden.
The honest limitation is that ground screws depend on the ground. Very loose, made-up, heavily rooted, very stony or obstructed ground may need a site check. Gravel can be fine if it is compacted and the screws can bite into suitable ground below, but loose decorative gravel alone is not a foundation. For very small sheds, ground screws may be more expensive than a simple slab base. For sloping ground or premium installs, they can be the neatest and most sensible option.
Need Help Choosing a Base?
Send us your question, or tell us a little about your garden and proposed shed location. We’ll help you choose the most suitable base option before you order.