Whether you're constructing custom designed workshops or industrial sheds for storage, chances are you'll have plenty of questions to ask the builders you're working with.

We here at Shed Boss are dedicated to working with our clients every step of the way, but not every builder is as forthcoming about keeping their customers informed.

With that in mind, there are at least three questions every builder should be able to answer for you when working on a project.

Are you qualified?

Being a qualified builder doesn't just mean having knowledge and experience, it means being licenced to work.

Not only is Shed Boss committed to only hiring builders who are properly licenced and insured, we're also passionate about sourcing workers from local communities to ensure money stays in the local economy and jobs are provided for those that live there.

Have you worked on similar projects?

No two building projects are the same, but if you're working with a builder who has no experience constructing commercial sheds, that should be a red flag.

Shed Boss has been building strong and building right for more than 15 years, and our focus on custom designed sheds makes us leaders in the industry.

How are you building for my site?

The actual building is only one part of the construction equation. The site it's being built on just as vital to consider.

At Shed Boss, we know how important it is to design for specific sites, building to suit the needs of our clients and their land.

Sites also affect the types of permits that may be required, a process Shed Boss is more than happy to assist with.

While there are plenty of other questions qualified builders should be able to answer, these three should be at the top of your list next time you plan on building commercial sheds.

The possibility of flooding is something many Australians must consider when it comes to building custom designed sheds.

This is especially true for construction projects in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

With this in mind, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has outlined a number of factors that should be taken into account when constructing commercial sheds.

Designing for safety

Commercial sheds built in flood hazard areas need to be constructed with thought given to issues such as debris, waves and erosion.

If debris is carried along by flood waters and strikes buildings, it can lead to serious damage to structures and cause injuries or even death.

Meanwhile, waves can pose a similar risk to custom designed sheds.

Flooding can also cause erosion of soil and damage shed foundations, something that needs to be calculated and prepared for.

Another issue to consider is floor height requirements. The ABCB states that unless otherwise specified by an appropriate authority, finished floor levels of habitable rooms must be above the flood hazard level.

On the other hand, enclosed non-habitable rooms must be no more than 1 metre below the defined flood level. However, any enclosures below the flood hazard level must contain openings to allow for entry and exit of floodwater.

There are various other guidelines, best practices and regulations in place for construction in regions vulnerable to flooding. However, these rules can change based on location, making it essential to ensure your building is in line with local law.

Fortunately, the building experts at Shed Boss are on hand to assist you every step of the way. This means we will not only design your custom designed shed to suit your site and your needs, we will also help you obtain the proper permits to ensure your shed is in accordance with local building codes.

Whether through the ravages of time or natural disaster, there may come a time when you'll have to decide if your commercial sheds should be repaired or replaced.

Each option has its pros and cons, but the best decision for you will ultimately come down to specific needs and circumstances.

How much will it cost?

It may seem like making repairs to your commercial shed will be more affordable, there are times when it could actually be cheaper to demolish and rebuild.

The costs you need to weigh aren't just in monetary terms, either. If you rely on a commercial sheds for custom designed workshops or office space, chances are you can't afford to have your property out of commission for long. 

Depending on the types of repairs you wish to make, it could actually take less time to build from scratch. Even if this turns out to be a more expensive option, it could ultimately save you time and therefore money in the long run.

Can it be saved?

Of course, before you can decide whether to repair or build new, you must figure out if your sheds can be saved at all.

Even commercial sheds that are still standing after a vicious storm may no longer be habitable or usable.

You should have the foundation, roof and interior framing inspected by professionals to ensure repairs can be safely made.

Also keep in mind that wood structures can rot due to exposure to extreme moisture, making it a good idea to consider foregoing repairs to damaged wood and replacing your commercial sheds with steel structures.

Issues like mould should also be carefully considered. Commercial sheds that feature mould can pose serious health risks. If mould cannot be safely removed, demolishing your sheds and building from scratch may be the best solution.

Shed Boss is dedicated to building strong and building right, but premium commercial sheds depend on more than just quality materials and craftsmanship.

The land you plan to build on is just as important as the construction itself. Among issues like soil type and surface water, one of the key elements that can make or break potential construction is slope.

The angle at which land sits plays a major role in how commercial sheds are designed and built. While minimal slope can sometimes help with construction in the case of drainage, steep slopes can make building next to impossible, or, at the very least, more expensive.

Obviously, flat surfaces or those with gentle slopes are far easier to plan and build for. Steep slopes, on the other hand, come with a number of potential problems.

First, in order to create workable grades and prevent erosion, it may be necessary to to conduct cut and fill operations, which could include trucking in additional fill. You may also be forced to pay for retaining walls or special foundation in order to minimise erosion and ensure your custom designed shed meets building requirements.

Of course, what you plan on using your shed for could also be impacted by slope. For instance, if your shed is to act as a barn for cattle, a steep slope could make it far more difficult for animals to enter and exit the building, leading to slower cattle flow and potential injury.

Fortunately, Shed Boss is committed to not only building quality, great-looking sheds, but also making sure they're built for specific site requirements. We can help you determine the best place on which to build, and provide you with an estimate of site development costs.

Whether your commercial sheds are being used as custom designed workshops, automotive garages, office spaces or anything in between, chances are security will be one of your chief concerns.

We here at Shed Boss understand how important it is to keep your construction safe, which is why we use premium quality materials like heavy steel galvanised anchor brackets that are specifically designed to withstand fierce weather.

However, not all threats are from Mother Nature. With this in mind, it can be a good idea to consider different ways to keep your shed and its contents safe and secure.

Accessibility

Only you and those you trust should have access to your shed, but this can be easier said than done. Therefore, when designing your shed, you'll want to pay special attention to any and all entrance points, as well as where windows are located and whether they could be used to gain access to your property.

Locks

Installing high-quality locks on doors is one good way to keep valuable items that may be stored in your shed safe. In addition to regular door locks, you may want to consider installing padbars, as well as securing door hinges with coach bolts or non-returnable screws.

Lighting

Illuminating the area surrounding your shed can be a good way to keep unwanted visitors away. This can be as simple as installing lights that can be turned on at night or opting for motion-detector lights that will illuminate once movement is detected.

Alarms

The last thing a burglar wants to hear is a loud alarm blaring, so installing some sort of alarm system could be another good way to minimise theft or vandalism concerns. Some alarms can even be programmed to contact authorities once they are triggered.

The experts at Shed Boss know that creating custom designed sheds means accounting for a number of variables, and nowhere is this more true than when it comes to barns used to house livestock.

Determining use

Before a single shovel meets dirt or a nail is hammered, you must determine how your barn will be used.

This means accounting for what type of livestock you will be housing, the size of the herd, number of pens required, how long and wide feed barriers need to be and where access points should be located.

The ways in which your space will be used determine how it will be designed, after all.

Ensuring welfare

Another key factor to keep in mind is how your custom designed shed will contribute to the welfare of your livestock.

Different types of animals feature specific welfare standards which impact how a building must be constructed. Whether you're working with sheep, cattle or horses, the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) and Animal Health Australia (AHA) are on hand to ensure your barn meets national welfare standards and industry guidelines.

Considering site

Location is an essential part of shed building regardless of what it's being used for, but it can be even more vital in the case of housing livestock.

You must consider how your building site will be impacted by local weather, winds, exposure and surrounding buildings.

Additionally, you must account for biosecurity and disease risks when constructing multiple barns near each other housing different types of livestock.

The building experts at Shed Boss are on hand to assist you with everything from designing a barn to suit your specific needs to ensuring your custom designed building fits your site.

Regardless of how your custom designed shed will be used, we're dedicated to building strong and building right.

Whether you're using commercial sheds to store vehicles and equipment or your utilising them for custom designed workshops, it's important to understand how changes in the weather may call for precautionary steps.

If your shed is not properly winterised, it could lead to damage of whatever you're storing within it. And if your custom designed shed is being used as an office space of some kind, chances are the people working within it will be mighty grateful for a little warmth during the colder and wetter months of the year.

Examine your shed

At Shed Boss we believe in building strong and building right, but it's still important to inspect your space to ensure there are no areas that might be vulnerable to winter's more extreme weather.

This is especially important when it comes to areas like doors, windows and roofs.

Sealing the inside of your shed off from the outdoors with weatherstripping is one good strategy to keep your shed interior protected from the elements.

Focus on insulation

Installing insulation in your shed is a great way to keep warm air from escaping during winter.

In addition to insulating walls, it might be a good idea to insulate large, garage-style doors as well. There are plenty of insulation types to choose from, offering you a wealth of options for keeping your shed warm.

Take care of heaters

Heaters can be invaluable during winter, but they can also pose certain risks. 

For instance, turning heaters off completely can cause pipes to freeze and break, so it might be preferable to leave heaters on at a low level if your custom designed shed is built in an area where temperatures drop considerably during winter.

Also make sure your heaters are regularly serviced and repaired to ensure they work efficiently and effectively. Not only will this keep your shed comfortable, it could help lower your power bill.

Where you build can be just as important as what you build when it comes to commercial sheds.

A piece of land may look like the perfect location for a custom designed shed, but there are plenty of potential pitfalls hidden from the naked eye.

Potential problems

Perhaps the easiest problem to spot is sloping. A sloping site can cause a number of problems for construction, and can make building next to impossible if it interferes with foundation too much.

Soil type is another important issue, but less readily apparent. Some types of soil are just not meant to be built on, featuring low load bearing ability. This can make the construction process that much more expensive.

Water is also a potential problem to be on the lookout for. Surface water can cause soil erosion and lead to flooding, while subsurface water can wreak havoc on septic systems.

However, land issues go well beyond nature's hurdles.

Building restrictions

Even if you plan on constructing a custom designed shed on your own property, it's essential to obtain the proper permits.

For instance, perhaps the land you've chosen features special building conditions or covenants. If it has a strata title, there will no doubt be certain restrictions placed on it.

If you don't first receive approval from the local government, you could face steep penalties and see your project torn down.

Fortunately, Shed Boss can assist you in not only making sure the land you wish to build on meets site requirements, we can also help you obtain all the proper permits.

We take pride in ensuring our clients' building projects suit their site and are completed in accordance with local regulations.

It's part of our commitment to building strong and building right.

Lighting may be the most fundamental aspect of a work space. After all, if you can't see what you're doing, not much work will be getting done.

If you're in the market for a custom designed shed that will be used as a work space of some kind, focusing on your lighting needs should be a priority.

Seeing the task at hand

At Shed Boss, we know that proper lighting is an essential part of getting work done. Poor lighting can make easy tasks hard and difficult tasks harder. Whether you're building custom designed workshops or constructing an industrial shed that will be used as an office, it's important to think about what your lighting needs will be and the most effective way to meet them.

For instance, if your workspace takes on an open plan design, chances are you'll want lighting that will saturate the whole space. However, if you're doing industrial work that requires special attention to detail, you may wish to install lighting that is more focused and designed to spotlight.

Our talented designers can help you explore your lighting options and determine which choice might suit your needs best.

Promoting safety

Besides making work easier, proper lighting is also an essential part of work space safety. 

Even if the work you'll be doing is not inherently dangerous, darkness can increase the chances of slips, trips and falls.

The simple truth is that if you're building a custom designed shed, it's your duty to make it as safe as possible. Lighting is a big part of that.

Going natural

Bulbs and complicated lighting systems aren't the only options to take into account. 

Exploring your choices when it comes to windows and skylights, as well as the very placement of your custom designed shed, can help you take advantage of natural light and maximise its benefits.

Why not bring in some of the beauty of outside while also reducing your power bills?