Kitset sheds are a popular choice across New Zealand for lifestyle block owners, farmers, and homeowners looking for affordable and practical storage or workshop solutions. While kitset sheds are cost-effective and simplify the building process, it’s important to understand what’s included in the kitset price and what extra costs may need to be factored in. Knowing this upfront helps you budget accurately and can also help you with planning the shed use case and site location.
Here’s a detailed look at what typically comes with a kitset or prefab shed package, along with the potential extra costs you should be prepared for.
What’s Usually Included in a Kitset Shed
While inclusions vary between suppliers, most reputable kitset providers include the essential building components:
Pre-cut Timber or Steel Framing
The core structure, ready to assemble with detailed instructions. This is usually treated timber or steel framing, depending on the supplier. Outpost Buildings kitset sheds use treated timber to provide robust protection against rot.
Cladding and Roofing Materials
Options often include timber weatherboards, Zincalume, or Colorsteel. Roofing sheets, ridging, and flashings are also usually supplied. A more detailed guide on cladding materials can be found here.
Hardware and Fixings
Nails, screws, hinges, brackets, connectors and joinery needed for assembly. A kitset from Outpost Buildings has all the hardware & fixings clearly labelled and even includes a few extra screws just in case you need them.
Assembly Instructions
A detailed plan showing step-by-step guidance for construction. The detailed diagrams should show you how each part fits together to assemble your shed.
A quality kitset shed from a reputable provider such as Outpost Buildings is a cost-effective and easy way to choose the right size shed using the right quality materials and without any wasted time or trips to the hardware store for more materials. The upfront price you see, is the full cost of the kitset itself. Once all assembled according to the instructions, you know that you have a weather tight solution.
What might not be Included in in a Kitset Shed
While the kitset includes the materials and the instructions to put in together, there can be additional costs you’ll need to consider:
Site Preparation
Before building, you might need to clear and level the site, improve drainage, or carry out earthworks. Costs depend on land conditions, size of the section and whether you are wanting to use dirt, gravel or concrete as a base.
Foundations
Most kitsets do not include a foundation. You may choose to have:
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A concrete slab (common for workshops and garages)
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Timber flooring on piles (suitable for rural blocks or uneven ground)
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Gravel or compacted base (for smaller storage sheds)
While you may choose or need to have one, Outpost Buildings kitset sheds don’t require a foundation before installation. They have a heavy duty “skid mounted base” which means the shed sits on durable timber skids and the rest of the building is built on top of them. The skid mounted base also allows the sheds to be easily relocatable. You do need to build your Outpost Shed on flat ground to make sure it’s square, but then you can reposition or move it to a slightly uneven site if needed.
Delivery and Access Costs
Delivery fees often depend on distance, site access, and shed size. Remote or difficult-to-reach sites may need specialised transport, increasing costs. Outpost Buildings offers free kitset delivery to transport depots nationwide and can help organise delivery from the depot at an extra charge if you can’t pick it up yourself.
Building Consent and Compliance
The New Zealand Building Act enables single-storey detached buildings that are less than 30m² in size such as wooden kitset sheds and other similar structures to be built without a building consent. These exemptions do not cover sheds where electrical or plumbing work needs to be carried out.
Consent costs vary by council, with Auckland Council costs often ranging from $1,000-$2,500+.
Read more about consents and compliance rules in our guide about Building Consent Rules for Sheds & Cabins.
Labour and Assembly
A kitset shed is usually designed and engineered to allow someone who is handy with DIY to put it together with a friend over a weekend. Depending on your skillset or time constraints, you may choose to hire a builder to ensure the shed is put together correctly. Outpost Buildings have builders we can recommend to help you out if needed. To help decide whether you would want to engage a licensed builder, watch this testimonial from Builder Sean Temple assembling an Outpost Kitset.
Internal Fit-Out & Customisations
If you would like to expand the capabilities of your kitset shed, then you may look into adding the following features.
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Shelving: Depending on your storage needs, you may want to add shelving and hooks to the shed.
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Electrical or Plumbing: A professional Electrician or Plumber will be needed to carry out any work and council consent implications will need to be looked into.
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Painting or Staining: If you would like your shed to match the aesthetic of your house or other farm buildings, then you may look into painting or staining the shed. This can require periodic maintenance especially in coastal and high-rainfall regions.
Final Thoughts
A kitset shed offers a cost-effective and versatile solution, with the kitset price including all your materials and instructions, but this may be the starting point for costs depending on your site and shed requirements.
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Included: Framing, cladding, roofing, fixings and instructions
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Not always included: Site foundations, delivery, consents, labour, fit-out
By planning for these extras, you’ll avoid budget surprises and ensure your shed project is successful, compliant, and long-lasting.
Outpost Buildings offers a wide range of durable and high-quality wooden kitset sheds, built to withstand New Zealand's unique weather conditions. These sheds are made from robust, treated wood and feature proven, versatile designs to meet all your needs.
Outpost kitsets ship nationwide, and each kit includes all the necessary fittings, hardware and easy-to-follow assembly instructions. Our team can help you understand any additional costs you may face depending on your site and shed requirements.
