What if the biggest mistake in your shed build happens before it even begins?
Most shed regrets aren’t about colour or cladding, they’re about size, placement, wind direction, or council red tape. And the frustrating part? These issues often aren’t obvious until it’s too late.
Planning a shed should feel exciting, not stressful. Yet too often, people rush ahead without asking the right questions and end up paying for it in time, money, or compromise.
This article outlines the common planning oversights we often see, and helps you to make informed, confident decisions from the start.
Common Planning Pitfalls:
- Thinking Too Small
- Underestimating Site Access and Earthworks
- Skipping the Council Conversation
- Ignoring Prevailing Wind for Doors
- Assuming All Kitsets Are the Same
Thinking Too Small: Future-Proofing Your Shed
One of the biggest planning mistakes? Only thinking about what you need right now.
We see it all the time: a shed sized perfectly for today’s gear, but maxed out within a year or two. Maybe you get a new trailer boat, a second tractor, or buy a caravan. Suddenly, the shed’s not quite big enough, or worse still, doesn't have the required height to fit your new purchases.
Height is a big one people miss. Adding extra clearance often doesn't cost a lot at the design stage, but it can massively improve what you can use the shed for in the future. For example, many lifestyle block buyers have a caravan or trailer boat — and you’ll need around 3.6 metres of clearance through the doors to store them comfortably.
Building with the future in mind can seriously improve resale value down the line. A future-proof shed doesn’t need to be massive. It just needs to be smart.
Underestimating Site Access and Earthworks
Site access catches a lot of people out. What seems fine for a ute might be a nightmare for a delivery truck. Tight driveways, soft paddocks, or uneven ground can quickly turn into delays and extra costs, especially when you are hiring Hiab trucks, diggers, and other equipment by the hour.
Earthworks are another area that often gets underestimated. A slight slope might not look like much, but levelling it properly and ensuring good drainage can add thousands if it’s not factored in early.
This is where experience makes a difference. A quick walkaround with someone who knows what to look for can highlight issues before they become expensive. With the right prep, your shed goes up faster, safer, and without last-minute surprises.
Skipping the Council Conversation
It’s tempting to put off talking to the council, especially when you’re eager to get moving. But ignoring the paperwork won’t make it go away. If anything, it can hold up your entire project when you least expect it.
Every region’s a bit different, but most sheds will need some form of consent. Even if it’s not a full building consent, things like setbacks, height restrictions, or rural zoning rules can trip you up if you’re not across them early.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone. With over 30 years’ experience and more than 5,000 shed projects under our belt, we know exactly what councils look for and how to avoid the common hold-ups. Starting the conversation early can shave weeks off your timeline and ensure your shed gets off the ground without unexpected delays.
Ignoring Prevailing Wind for Doors
It’s easy to focus on where doors fit on a plan, but not enough people think about where the wind’s coming from. This can lead to serious issues once the shed’s up.
The first step is making sure your doors are suitable for your site’s wind zone. Not all doors are created equal, and using the wrong spec can lead to rattling, leaks, or even structural damage in high winds.
Next, wherever possible, avoid placing doors directly in the path of the prevailing wind. This simple shift can reduce wear and tear, keep wind-driven rain out when the doors are open, and minimise the noise of wind pressure hitting the door panels. It’s a detail that makes the shed quieter, cleaner, and more durable — especially in exposed rural areas.
Assuming All Kitsets Are the Same
Not all kitsets are created equal. Some lower-cost options rely on partial drop-shipping, meaning components arrive from multiple suppliers, often at different times and with varying quality. That can lead to missing hardware, frustrating deliveries, and significant delays.
An Alpine kitset arrives in one complete delivery; pre-checked, clearly labelled, and ready to build. We use pre-dried timber to prevent warping, 5-10mm thick structural steel for maximum durability and rust-resistance, and detailed plans that make the job straightforward for your builder.
When the kit’s done right, the project runs smoother, the headaches reduce, and the job gets finished faster.
Build Smart from Day One
A shed is a big investment, and the planning stage is where the real value is won or lost. The issues we see most often aren’t due to one big mistake, but a series of small, overlooked details that add complexity, cost, or frustration later in the build.
The good news? Every one of these pitfalls is avoidable with the right approach and the right team behind you. At Alpine, we’ve helped over 5,000 Kiwis design smarter, build faster, and build sheds that stand the test of time.
So if you’re currently in the planning phase of your project, pause, think ahead, and ask the right questions. A few smart decisions today will set you up with a shed that’s not just fit for purpose now, but future-proofed for whatever comes next. Because when you’re building your dream shed, you want to do it once and do it right.
