Custom Shed and Summerhouse Maker
Build made-to-measure sheds, summerhouses and garden rooms in a workshop and install them.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
Designing and building bespoke timber sheds, summerhouses and small garden buildings. Panels or whole buildings are made in a workshop, then delivered and fitted on the customer's prepared base.
Your first three steps
- Price up a small unit or workshop space and a timber supplier account
- Build one or two showpiece sheds and photograph them for a simple website and social media
- Write a clear quote template covering design, base requirements, delivery and payment stages
Who pays
Homeowners wanting a shed that fits an awkward space or a particular look, such as a garden office, hobby room or play house.
How it makes money
A quoted price per building covering materials, labour and delivery. Extras such as insulation, shelving, electrics by a qualified electrician and painting add to the job value.
Skills that help
- Good carpentry and joinery
- Drawing up simple plans and quotes
- Costing materials accurately
- Managing customer expectations
Watch out for
- Public liability and tools and equipment insurance, and employer's liability once you hire anyone
- Planning permission and building regulations can apply to larger or garden room buildings, so check with the local council
- Any electrics should be done by a suitably qualified electrician, so check what certification is needed
- Take deposits and agree stage payments in writing to protect your cash flow
- Timber prices can change, so build some margin into quotes
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a custom shed building business?
Startup costs are typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your workshop and equipment. These are estimates. Timber prices can change, so build some margin into your quotes.
How much can a custom shed maker earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the size and number of buildings you make. This is an estimate. Taking deposits and agreeing stage payments in writing helps protect cash flow.
Do I need planning permission to build sheds and garden rooms?
Planning permission and building regulations can apply to larger or garden room buildings, so check with the local council. Any electrics should be done by a suitably qualified electrician, so check what certification is needed. Also check your insurance cover.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Mobile machinery repair engineer
Travel to workshops, farms and small factories to fix broken machines on site and cut their downtime.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile pipe and fittings supplier
Stock a van with common pipes and fittings and deliver to local plumbers and builders on site.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Glazing installer for builders and trades
Fit windows, doors and glazed units for builders and developers on new builds, extensions and renovations.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile air tool supplier visiting garages
Drive a stocked van to garages and workshops, selling air tools and fittings on the spot.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small office fit-out contractor
Win whole office refurbishment jobs and run them with a trusted team of trades, from strip-out to final decoration.
- £5k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile welder for repairs and fabrication
Take a van-mounted welding kit to farms, builders and garages to repair gates, trailers and machinery on site.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Photo: Barni1 on Pixabay