If you live in Lichfield, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, Burton, Cannock or anywhere nearby, buying a shed, summerhouse or garden room is a bit different from buying one anywhere else. Our local soils, the way new-build estates are laid out and the planning rules all shape what will work in your garden. Craig has sold garden buildings for around 14 years, and this guide pulls together the practical points that come up again and again with local customers.
Start with the ground: clay soils and your base
Much of Staffordshire and the West Midlands sits on heavy clay. Clay holds water in winter and shrinks and cracks in dry summers, so the ground under your building moves more than you might expect. That makes the base the single most important decision you will make.
- Keep it level and firm. A building on an uneven or soft base will twist over time, and doors and windows stop closing properly.
- Think about water. On clay, puddles sit for days. Choose a spot that doesn't collect water, and make sure the base sheds rain away rather than letting it pool under the floor.
- Lift timber off the ground. Airflow under a timber floor helps it stay dry and last longer, which matters on wet clay.
- Bigger buildings need more. A small storage shed may be fine on a well-laid slab or plastic grid base; a log cabin or garden office generally needs a properly prepared, solid base.
Our shed base guide explains each type of base in plain terms, including how to prepare the ground.
Do you need planning permission?
Most garden buildings in most gardens don't need planning permission, because they fall under "permitted development". Broadly, that means the building is used for things incidental to the house (storage, a hobby room, a home office), isn't in front of the house, and stays within height limits, with a lower limit if it is close to a boundary. Together with other outbuildings and extensions, it also shouldn't cover more than half the garden.
The rules are different if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, and some newer estates have conditions that remove permitted development rights. Lichfield in particular has a number of conservation areas, so it's worth checking with your council if you're unsure. Our planning permission guide goes through the rules in more detail.
Getting the size right
The most common thing customers tell us afterwards is that they wish they had gone a size bigger. Before you pick a size:
- Measure the space, then leave a gap around the building so you can reach the walls for treatment and maintenance.
- Check which way the doors open and where the windows will face.
- Think about what you'll store in five years, not just today: bikes, mowers, garden furniture and children's toys add up quickly.
Our sizes guide helps you work out what will fit, and if you want something made to your exact measurements, try the shed builder.
Timber, composite, steel or concrete?
Each material suits a different kind of garden and a different kind of owner.
- Timber is the classic choice for garden sheds, summerhouses and log cabins. It looks natural and is easy to adapt, but it needs regular treatment, especially in a damp climate. Our timber care guide explains what to do and when.
- Composite and insulated panels are common in garden offices and garden rooms that will be used all year round. Our garden office buyer's guide covers insulation, power and comfort.
- Steel is low maintenance and secure, and won't rot, which makes it a good option for tools and bikes. See our steel sheds.
- Concrete sectional buildings are extremely durable and a popular choice for workshops and garages and stores.
For growing, we also stock a wide range of greenhouses.
Delivery access on terraced streets and new-build estates
Access catches out more buyers than anything else. Many homes in Tamworth, Lichfield, Burton and Cannock are terraced or on newer estates with narrow side passages, shared drives or rear gardens reached only through the house. Before you order:
- Measure the narrowest point between the road and the building's final spot, including gates and corners.
- Check for parking restrictions or tight turning on estate roads where a delivery vehicle needs to stop.
- Remember that panels and roof sections are often longer than the building is wide.
If you're not sure, tell us about your access when you enquire and we'll talk it through. Our delivery and installation page has more detail.
Local delivery and fitting
What's included depends on the brand, so here is what applies:
- Sovereign and Shedlands buildings include installation.
- Lifelong steel buildings come with free installation.
- Beeston concrete buildings are fitted by installers who cover Burton, Nuneaton and Cannock.
- Power Sheds log cabins come with free kerbside delivery by HIAB (crane) lorry.
- Suresheds include free delivery and installation within 50 miles of their Rotherham base, with a surcharge between 50 and 100 miles.
Why it helps to see buildings in person
Photos can't show you how solid a floor feels, how thick the cladding is or how much headroom you really get. That's why we have a Display Site at Buzzards Valley, Tamworth B78 3EQ, just a short drive from Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield and Burton.
The buildings there are accessible 7 days a week, but Craig isn't always on site. If you'd like someone to talk to, ring 01543 398778 or book a visit before you come. When you're ready, you can put together a price for your own spec using Build Your Quote.
We also have local pages for Lichfield, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, Burton upon Trent and Cannock.
Frequently asked questions
What base is best on clay soil?
A firm, level base that keeps the building off wet ground and lets water drain away. For larger buildings such as log cabins and garden offices, a properly prepared solid base is usually the safest option. See our base guide.
Do I need planning permission for a summerhouse or garden room?
Usually not, if it meets permitted development rules on position, height and use. Listed buildings, conservation areas and some new-build estates are exceptions, so check our planning guide or ask your council.
Can I see buildings before I buy?
Yes. Our Display Site at Buzzards Valley, Tamworth B78 3EQ is accessible 7 days a week. Craig isn't always there, so ring 01543 398778 or book a visit if you'd like someone to talk to.
What if my garden only has narrow side access?
Measure the narrowest point from the road to the final spot and tell us when you enquire. We'll let you know whether the building can get through.
Do you install locally?
It depends on the brand. Sovereign and Shedlands include installation, Lifelong includes free installation, and Beeston's installers cover Burton, Nuneaton and Cannock. Suresheds install free within 50 miles of Rotherham.