Whether you are planning to lay your own slab or hire a local concrete company to do the job for you, our short guide contains some useful tips. In it, we take a look at how to lay a concrete slab foundation for a shed and outline some of the most important points to consider. We should stress at the beginning that unless you have plenty of experience and all the necessary equipment, we do not advise laying your own slab. However, if this is something you have done many times before and you are confident that you know what you are doing, the following advice should help you to avoid making any costly mistakes. Even if you use a local contractor, the suggestions below are sure to come in handy.
What to Consider When Laying a Slab Foundation for Sheds
Follow our tips and make sure you get your new shed build off to the best start possible.
- Never Lay a Foundation for Sheds in Advance – You will, of course, need to lay your slab before you start erecting your shed. What we mean when we say never lay your slab in advance is do not lay it before you have ordered and paid for your new shed. The reason for this advice is quite simple: if you should happen to change your mind about the model of shed you are buying or you wish to change the dimensions, you will not be able to if you have already laid your slab. It is much easier to rub out a line on a pencil drawing than it is to change the shape and size of a concrete slab foundation!
- Make Sure You Have Accurate Measurements – If you buy from us, we will tell you exactly how big your shed will be but some manufacturers use approximate measurements, which are not accurate enough to use when laying a concrete slab.
- Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines for Slab Thickness – If you read any guides on how to build a shed foundation, you will notice that they all advise caution when deciding on slab thickness. Make your slab too thin and it is likely to crack when asked to bear the full weight of your new shed. If you make the slab too thick, on the other hand, it will not cause you any problems when erecting your shed but it will be more difficult to lay and will end up costing you more than you really needed to spend.
- Be Aware of Your Soil Type – Reactive soils require special building techniques so make sure you know what type of soil you have before laying your slab foundation. If in doubt, take advantage of a local soil testing service.
If you need any further advice on how to lay a concrete slab foundation for your shed, please feel free to get in touch with us and ask for help. Alternatively, we recommend contacting a local concrete company with a good reputation.
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