Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we do. We have a flexible approach to design and engineering. This allows our clients to customise plans and design a home of their very own.

Yes, we do. Our steel frame floor systems are ideal for sloping sites allowing you to capture that amazing view or hinterland breeze.

Yes, we do. We currently construct homes on the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Moreton Bay regions.

Absolutely! All our turnkey projects can be funded by a traditional construction loan with staggered payments, in accordance with Master Builder contracts.

You will need to speak with your lending manager. Most banks have different funding rules for owner builders. We understand a larger deposit is required to get the project started.

Yes, we do. We will help you through the design, engineering and approval process, which are often the most confusing steps.

The main difference is the engineering approach. Shed homes can offer larger open spaces by utilising steel beams and braketry taken from traditional shed construction methods. We typically use a combination of house and shed framing in our home designs.

This is project dependent. In some cases where larger spans are specified, shed homes can be significantly cheaper. Sheds typically have gable or skillion roofs, which are cheaper than tricky house roofs which have Dutch gables and hips. 

For us, it is about building an efficient and beautiful home using simple roof lines and low maintenance building materials. We are passionate about building homes for people who want to relax their lifestyle in the hinterland. 

Basic rules for creating a realistic budget when beginning your new build. Start with a formal design, talk to a certifier, create a compliance checklist, select your building materials, choose a builder, request trade quotes, create a schedule and stick to your budget and selections. If you follow these steps it will go a long way to save you money during the construction process.

We are experts at this process, talk to us today about getting started.

Yes and no. A traditional storage shed gets hot. But our shed homes are cleverly designed. They have a minimum 6 star energy rating and come with good quality insulation to keep them cool in summer and warm in winter.

We like to think so. While container homes are promoted as being a trendy housing alternative, they come with limitations, such as a very narrow width, making it hard to create open plan living areas, and when connecting them together the cost can become expensive. Our homes are fully custom designed so you get what you want from the beginning.

We supply and install the floor, frame, roof, external cladding and windows. You are left with a watertight building ready to fit out and paint. You will need to have your owner builder’s license or engage a registered builder to complete the internal works. You can request our lock up inclusion list for more information.

As a general rule, we supply the frame, floor system (optional), external cladding, roofing, guttering and flashings, and windows. However, we can supply additional items or less items by request. We adapt to your needs.

Yes, they are. Our framing comes prefabricated in sections for quick site installation. However, we recommend you have building experience or engage a registered builder to assemble our kits. If you are in the local Sunshine Coast Region we can visit your site before your project starts to offer tips on how to get started.

As we predominantly build in rural areas site conditions vary significantly, so we have adopted a 3 stage pricing process:
1. Initial price estimates and brochure pricing provides you with a cost guide to start creating a budget. 
2. Site specific estimate is given once we have visited your site and understand your design ideas. We will use our experience to quote a secondary cost estimate with these specifications included. 
3. If the estimate is within your ballpark budget, we enter into a preliminary agreement to complete all necessary site investigations, design and engineering requirements. This will allow for an accurate final costing and fixed price contract. 

We believe our main points of difference are:

i. Hinterland building experts. The process of building in a rural setting is more complicated than in an estate. We have systemised this process allowing us to build custom homes at affordable prices. 
ii. Customised design service 
iii. Systemised process with integrated design and engineering 
iv. Unique personalised aesthetic 
v. In house selections process from our display
vi. Online project management system
vii. Good communication systems to ensure you are always kept informed
viii. Passion for creating homes which improve your lifestyle
ix. Quality locally sourced materials
x. Attention to detail. We believe it’s the little finishing touches that matter
xi. Above everything, we love what we do and want to make your building journey an enjoyable one by keeping you informed at all times. We document each job with photographs of every stage for you to keep as a record or keepsake. 

You can clad our homes in a wide range of lightweight cladding solutions from Colorbond, James Hardy and Weathertex. We will specify these options during the design phase.

The most obvious benefit in Queensland is protection from termites. You never have to worry about the critters eating away your frame. 
They come with a significant warranty period of up to 50 years.
Straight and true – they are always straight and true making it easy for the builders when lining.
No waste – our frames are computer designed and then roll formed to millimetre perfect sections meaning no offcuts or waste. 
Quick on site construction – our frames are made locally and are delivered to site prefabricated.
Pre-punched – the frames already have services holes for the electrician and plumber allowing them to quickly run the pipe work and wiring. 

We have 4 different time frames:

i. Design phase – we usually allow 3 weeks. This can be quicker for simple jobs. 
ii. Kit manufacturing takes 3 weeks from design approval. 
iii. Lock up process usually takes 3 months, including council approval.
iv. Turnkey construction usually takes 5 – 6 months, including council approval.

Yes, we do.
i. Framing is TrueCore® Steel.
ii. Cladding and roofing is Colorbond Steel.
iii. Windows are from GJames in Brisbane.
iv. All internal materials are purchased from local suppliers and the work is completed by local trade professionals.

a. Frame – site specific warranty – up to 50 years
b. Cladding – supplier dependant – up to 20 years
c. Turnkey jobs = 
i. 6 year 6 month builders structural warranty
ii. 6 month minor defect period 

a. You can browse our website for design ideas. Or talk to us about a personalised plan. 
b. We can then provide you with some initial costing’s to help establish your budget
c. For our full process check out our build process.

We do! The 2 bedroom Granny Flat display is located on the Sunshine Coast. Viewings are by appointment only. Talk to us about arranging a time to walk through.

We specialise in building homes in the hinterland. We understand the challenges posed by rural properties with sloping ground, power and water supply, treating wastewater, and bushfire threats. We have developed a streamlined approach to save you time and money.

We sure do. We are passionate about building homes you can live in forever. Available options within your home include step free interiors, wider doorways, provision for grab rails, lower bench heights, fixtures and fittings which are easy to open and close.

Yes, we do. We have a range of solar packages which will allow you to live a life free of bills. Our off-grid specialist can take you through the entire process including design considerations, lighting and appliances. You may be very surprised at how little you have to compromise to achieve this lifestyle.

Yes, as standard we offer 3D elevations of your design. We can also place the building onto your site location so you can see how it’s going to look in that position. If you want something a little more high resolution we can create a virtual walkthrough where you can see furniture in each room - you can even choose paint and cabinetry colours!

Yes. We have a good understanding of the local regulations for the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Moreton Bay areas. We will work with our local consultants and building certifier to arrange all the required paperwork to gain approval for your new project.

We have a flexible approach to building. However, there are a few factors which affect what you can and can’t do yourself:
Our 3 service options are:
i. Kit only 
ii. Lock up 
iii. Turnkey
If you are buying a kit only, or engaging us to complete your project to lock up, you will need your owner builder license or engage a licensed builder to complete the project. 
With our turnkey option we typically complete all works required to make the home liveable. We do offer flexibility with non-structural aspects of the home such as painting, flooring, water tanks, and wastewater systems. However,if you are going through the bank you won’t have this flexibility. 

For our turnkey clients we host a personalised selection meeting at our display office. This saves you the multiple trips of driving to different suppliers’ showrooms. The meeting usually takes about 2 hours. We offer a range of quality inclusions as standard, which come in a number of great colours and finishes. We also have a variety of inspiring mood boards You will definitely have the tools available to put your own stamp on your new home.

At this stage we only build on site. This allows for full design customisation as you are not limited to transport widths or crane access. 
Our framing is prefabricated so the build time is reduced. 

Traditional Shed Frames Explained 
Sheds are built using portal frames which are great for achieving large spans internally with no internal posts. 
Portal frames consist of large steel members which are usually spaced every 3 - 6 meters apart. 
Top hats are run horizontally on the outside of the portal posts which act as bracing and allow for vertical steel sheeting to be attached.
To install smaller doors and windows openings are cut into the sheeting on site.
This system of construction is engineered to Class 10A standards which is only suitable for storage.
Concrete slabs are also only engineered to Class 10A standards which means it is not compliant to be used as a residential home at a later date.
Pros
Large open spaces
Steel frame and cladding 
Low maintenance
Cons
Additional frame required internally to line
Portal framing protrudes into internal area 
Nuts and bolts make it difficult to line internally
Engineering not compliant to Class 1A standard 

Traditional House Frames Explained 
House frames are traditionally constructed using stud framing with vertical studs at 450 or 600 centimeters making it easy to line internally.
Roofs are constructed using trusses allowing for custom roof shapes and finishes and level internal ceilings to keep the cost of internal lining and painting down.
Pros
Easy to line and fit off
Quick site construction
Compliant with Class 1A engineering
Cons
Expensive to create large openings or high raked ceilings
Difficult to build on sloping sites
Often high maintenance

The Shed House combines both shed and traditional house engineering principles. Key features include:
Easy to line internally and externally
Service holes for electrician and plumber already punched
Achieve high raked ceilings and large open living areas easily and cost effectively
Class 1A engineering compliance
6 Star energy rating compliance 
Easy to build on sloping sites
Low maintenance

Yes, you can. There are some conditions. To legally live in a shed you need to ensure that it complies with your local councils housing guidelines as well as the housing standard. In order to achieve this you need the following items:
i. Class 1A slab and frame engineering
ii. Energy efficiency compliance
iii. Certified Class 1A building plans 
iv. Class 1A certification from a building certifier 
v. Smoke alarm compliance
vi. Glazing compliance
vii. Plumbing approval and compliance
viii. Bushfire compliance
ix. Waterproofing certification
If you are thinking of building a new shed it is important to consider all of the above factors. You will also need to talk to your local building certifier to have them assess your plans and site so they can inform you of the exact requirements to have your new shed approved as a house. 

If you live on the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, or Moreton Bay, The Shed House Team are experts at this and can help you each step of the way. Saving you time and money!
If you have an existing shed you would like to convert into a house you would need to attend to all of the above items before your local authorities would change the classification. You may struggle unless the concrete slab was designed and poured to comply with Class 1A requirements. Most shed slabs are not inspected and are not designed to comply with this standard making it almost impossible or very expensive to convert an existing shed into a legal house.