As all too many property owners in Australia know, termites can be more than just a pest – they can also ruin buildings.

According to the Australian Termite Research Centre, there are more than 350 species of termites in the country.

While most prefer to eat leaves and dead grass, 10 per cent are drawn to the wood often used in constructing houses and custom deigned sheds.

Termites hollow out timber while leaving a thin layer of the wood intact on the surface. This protects them from being seen and dealing with predatory creatures.

However, the damage they do inside the wood can be costly and unsightly. This may include earthen masses on doors, walls and stairs, as well as blistered or building paint on windows and doors.

More important than the ruined appearance of wood is the danger termites can pose. First, damage to flooring and roof timbers can present a very real physical hazard for individuals working in commercial sheds.

Secondly, termite infestations can lead to electrical failures thanks tot he wiring located in subfloor areas and roof cavities. In turn, this could lead to fire.

While there are plenty of strategies you can use to try to identify, prevent and eliminate termite infestations, the simplest action is constructing your custom designed sheds out of materials that are not vulnerable to termites.

Building with ShedBoss steel

Here at ShedBoss, we're committed to quality craftsmanship, and that includes building with premium materials. Our steel buildings are designed to not only comply with the building codes of Australia, but ensure your commercial sheds stand the test of time.

Steel construction eliminates the danger of termites while also providing you with a building that can withstand extreme weather conditions.

This is just one example of how ShedBoss is dedicated to building strong and building right.

While the type of work being done in your custom designed shed will certainly impact lighting design, there are some general things to keep in mind to ensure your space meets your needs.

Be bright

When it comes to lighting custom designed workshops, too much is typically preferable to too little.

Proper lighting is an integral safety factor, and having a brilliantly lit workshop will reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring in dark corners or shadowy areas.

Also keep in mind that light is essential to whatever work you're performing. If you can't see what you're doing, there's no doubt your work is going to suffer.

Plan ahead

Your lighting needs today may be different down the line. Therefore, when designing the lighting system for custom designed workshops, try to keep the future in mind.

The work you use your shop for may change or expand, after all. Plus, it's a fact of life that light becomes more integral as we age.

Your eyesight will most likely deteriorate over time, requiring more light to perceive the same level of brightness.

This could make investing in dimmable lights a good option. How much light you use can be changed from job to job or increased over the years.

Explore your options

Workshop lighting doesn't just have to be a light bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling.

There are many unique options available, some more suitable for your needs than others.

For instance, fluorescent overhead fixtures are a classic and relatively inexpensive choice.

Meanwhile, under-cabinet lighting could be used to illuminate specific work areas. This type of lighting can be invaluable for work that requires specific attention to detail in smaller areas.

You might even want to consider portable floodlights that can be used for specific jobs, allowing you to adjust height and direction on the fly.

ShedSafe-accredited organisations such as ShedBoss have undergone careful inspection from an independent third party to ensure we meet specific design and documentation criteria.

Accreditation also means we're dedicated to building strong and building safely for your specific site. With this in mind, there are certain questions our clients can expect to be asked when they request a quote for custom designed sheds.

First, we'll ask you what the shed will be used for. As an example, do you plan on storing industrial equipment, housing livestock or building commercial sheds to be used as multi-purpose classrooms?

We'll also inquire as to how far from the coastline the shed will be built. Next we'll ask whether the shed will be subjected to extreme weather conditions, such as snow or cyclones. Understanding the severity of local climates ensures we construct a product that suits your needs.

It's also important for us to know what the surrounding area is like. Will your shed be built in a suburban setting? Is it to be located on open plain? Potential exposure is a key issue for us to identify before construction begins.

Next comes site specifics dealing with hills, slopes and escarpments. Variations in the land can play a major role in how commercial sheds are constructed, after all.

We will also need to know if there are existing structures near your building site, as well as how far away these buildings are.

Your answers to these questions will help us determine the design strength of your custom designed shed, as well as how much such a project will likely cost.

In the meantime, if you're looking for an indicative quote for your shed, fill out the form here. The more accurate you are, the better the results. Also keep in mind that we may need to ring you for more information.

Compared to some construction projects, such as large industrial sheds, a carport may seem like a somewhat minor concern.

Then again, the term carport can be misleading. In addition to the small sheds many people picture housing one or two domestic vehicles, carports can also be used to store boats, caravans or even whole fleets of commercial vehicles.

Regardless of how your carport will be used, there are two main considerations to keep in mind.

Following local laws

As with any construction project, from carports to custom built patios, ensuring you follow local laws to the letter is essential. Every region has its own unique regulations in place relating to construction, and whether your carport is used for residential or commercial purposes, it's up to you to obtain the proper permits and meet local building codes.

Fortunately, the team at Shed Boss is happy to help our clients every step of the way, from obtaining necessary building approval to designing carports that meet building requirements in your area.

Deciding on dimensions

How your carport will be used is an important construction factor.

For instance, if it's going to sit beside your house, used by you and your family for your vehicles, you need to account for surrounding buildings during construction. You must also keep in mind how the number of vehicles you own, as well as their sizes, may change in the future.

Chances are your carport will outlast your current vehicle, so it's important to plan ahead.

This is even more vital for carports used at commercial locations. If you're looking to provide vehicle shelter for employees or customers, you'll need to ensure you meet the needs of a wide range of vehicles.

While the benefits of awnings may be the same for home and business owners, the awnings themselves are unique to each building.

If you're considering outdoor awnings for your home or business, there are a number of unique factors to take into account.

Purpose

The main purpose of your awning will inform its overall design. After all, some outdoor awnings may be for shading and weather protection, but others could simply be an aesthetic choice.

The great thing is that regardless of why you invested in outdoor awnings, they can protect you and others from sunlight and provide energy savings, reducing heat gain inside buildings while offering respite from the harsh Australian sun.

Size

Perhaps the most important design consideration for outdoor awnings concerns size.

How big your awning is will impact the coverage it can provide, as well as how it fits on your building. An awning that is not designed with size in mind will fail to offer sufficient shade or heat protection, and an awning that is either too big or small could also ruin the aesthetic value it can bring to buildings.

Style

Outdoor awnings may serve a practical purpose, but how they look is another important factor. After all, there's no rule that says keeping your building protected from sun means it must look shabby or boring.

Awnings can come in various colours and designs. In this way, not only can they make outdoor areas more comfortable, they can also add to the overall visual appearance of your home or business.

No matter what your outdoor awnings needs are, we here at Shed Boss can help. We encourage you to come see our displays and talk to the professionals at your nearest Shed Boss outlet. You can also apply online for a free awning quote here.

All commercial sheds should be constructed with safety in mind. This is why ShedSafe accredited builders provide their clients with specific information on their quotes relating to safety concerns such as wind speed.

For example, the region in which your custom designed sheds are built will affect the type of weather conditions it must be designed to withstand. This makes classifying wind region an essential part of the building process.

Next, ShedSafe accredited builders should determine the importance level of wind speed. This is based on what your shed will be used for and ensures commercial sheds comply with the Building Code of Australia.

Meanwhile, terrain category refers to what surrounds the proposed building site of the shed and topography accounts for whether the shed is placed on a hill, slope or flat surface.

Whether your custom designed shed is surrounded by structures that will shield it from wind is also an important factor to consider.

ShedSafe accredited builders will also let you know what your site wind speed is, which will be measured in metres per second. This is a vital factor to be aware of, as lower site wind speeds typically require less steel and therefore lower costs.

Shed Boss is proud to be ShedSafe accredited. Achieving this benchmark cannot be bought – it must be earned. The fact that we underwent rigorous independent auditing for the certification process shows our commitment to building strong and building right.

Building with specific site requirements in mind is a vital part of constructing quality commercial sheds, and it's something the designers and builders at Shed Boss are focused on through every step of the construction process.

If you're planning on building custom designed sheds, you owe it to yourself to work with builders who make safety a priority.

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.