How to Prepare Your Property for a New Shed

4 October 2026

Choosing the right site on your block

Start by thinking beyond just where the shed looks best. Consider how you'll use it day to day, how far you want to walk from the house, and how it relates to driveways, gates, and existing structures.

• Proximity to the driveway or access point if you'll be driving vehicles or machinery in and out
• Distance from boundaries, which may be subject to setback rules set by your council
• Orientation for sun, wind, and shade if the shed will be used as a workshop
• Clearance from trees, overhead power lines, and underground services

Setback distances and other site rules vary by council and by property, so confirm specific requirements with your local council or a building professional before settling on a final position.

Access for trucks and equipment

This is one of the most overlooked parts of shed preparation. Steel, concrete trucks, and sometimes cranes need to get to the build site, and tight or obstructed access can slow a project down or add cost.

• Check gate widths and driveway clearance for delivery trucks and machinery
• Clear overhanging branches, fences, or structures along the access path
• Consider ground conditions, soft or boggy access tracks can be an issue after rain
• Let your builder know about any tight corners, steep sections, or narrow points in advance

Levels and fall

Few blocks are perfectly flat, and that's normal. What matters is understanding the level and fall of your chosen site early, since it affects slab design, drainage, and sometimes retaining or fill work. A site that looks flat to the eye can still have enough fall to need attention before a slab goes down.

If your site has a noticeable slope, it's worth reading up on the specific options for building on a grade, as the approach differs from a flat block.

Drainage

Water needs somewhere to go once the shed is in place. Think about where stormwater currently runs across your site and how a new structure, slab, and roof will change that. Poor drainage planning can lead to water pooling against the shed or running towards neighbouring properties, which can also raise compliance issues. This is best discussed with your builder at the design stage, not after the slab is poured.

Services and underground utilities

Before any digging or slab work begins, underground services need to be identified and marked. This includes:

• Water and sewer lines
• Electrical cabling, including anything run to existing sheds or outbuildings
• Stormwater pipes
• Any NBN or telecommunications conduit

If you're planning to run power or water to the new shed, factor this into your site preparation and discuss it with your builder and a licensed tradesperson early.

Clearances and site conditions

Make sure the chosen site has enough clear space around it, not just for the shed footprint, but for construction activity. Builders typically need room to move around the structure during the build, store materials temporarily, and manoeuvre equipment safely.

What happens on install day

Once the site is prepared and approvals are in place, install day typically follows a sequence: site setout and final checks, slab or footing work if not already completed, steel frame erection, roof and wall cladding, then doors and finishing details. Having clear, unobstructed access on the day keeps things moving and avoids delays.

It helps to have pets secured, vehicles moved out of the way, and any last-minute site questions sorted with your builder before the crew arrives.