If you’re exploring innovative ways to build a house, holiday home, or weekend getaway, you’ve likely come across the concept of a shed house. While we don’t build shed houses ourselves, we often get asked about them, especially by customers wondering whether our steel structures can be used this way. The short answer: yes, in some cases we can supply the shed frame, but the internal fit-out and approvals are entirely up to you.
In this article, we’ll explain what a shed house is, why they’re growing in popularity across Australia, and what to expect in terms of costs. We’ll also share:
Whether you’re planning to start construction soon or simply exploring your options, this article has everything you need to know. We also share our recommendations for companies you can build a shed house with, as well as one of our recent shed house projects for inspiration.
Unlike a conventional house with a timber framework, shed houses are built inside the shell of a steel shed structure. The building looks like a shed with windows, doors, and residential utilities added. Inside, the shed is fitted out as a residential space, with lighting, plumbing, electrical, interior walls, and appliances.
The reason shed houses have become so widespread is because they are adaptable and suitable for a wide range of purposes. All around Australia, converted shed houses are used for full-time living, holiday accommodation, weekenders, short-term rentals, granny flats, teenage retreats, and horse stable or farm accommodation.
The key advantage of shed homes, and the main reason for their popularity, is the cost savings. While traditional home construction can be expensive, a shed can be erected in a matter of weeks. This gives you a weathertight space to store possessions and complete the interior fit-out in your own time.
If you’re interested in building a shed house, see our recommended companies below, along with our recent shed house project in Lake Cowell.
Many Australian shed companies offer residential options as well as their standard commercial and rural shed designs. By taking into account affordability, design options, and liveability, we’ve outlined the top 5 companies you can choose to work with.
Widespan is a leading shed house supplier with agents in all Australian states. Their Class 1A liveable sheds provide a base for a local designer, builder, and certifier to fit the interior and turn it into a liveable space. They can be used as a teenager’s retreat, man cave, granny flat, kid’s playroom, home office, or guest house.
Sheds n Homes has a range of steel-framed kit homes with the option of raised flooring. They supply all the components you need to build the bones of your structure, including the steel frame, roof cladding, external wall sheeting, stud frame walls, bearers and joins, fixtures, and guttering.
The kit includes a detailed construction manual, with engineering and floor plans completed to ensure compliance. You are responsible for putting the kit together, sourcing interior materials, and arranging the contracting for flooring, windows, doors, lighting, decorating, the kitchen fit-out, and the bathroom fit-out.
Based in Albury, NSW, Easy Sheds has a range of lifestyle sheds. These shed house designs include workshops, garages, drive-through sheds, and horse shelters to upgrade the storage and liveability of your property. Note that these sheds are not designed to be a permanent residence, but rather to supplement the house or accommodation on the site.
If you are building a house and need a structure to live in temporarily or store your assets, the Easy Shed residential range could be an effective option. Optional features to add include carports, fibreglass skylights, roof ventilation, insulation, roller doors, personal access doors, dividing walls, and mezzanine flooring.
With locations throughout Australia, Fair Dinkum Builds offers custom liveable sheds for a whole range of purposes whether that be a farm-stay holiday rental, or something more permanent. Fair Dinkum offers a range of add-ons and finishes to meet various tastes and budgets. Extras include patterned feature walls, partitions, whirlybirds, stairs and more.
With more than 30 stores across Australia, The Shed Company designs and delivers high-quality Australian steel kit homes. These sheds are a cost-effective way to extend your liveable space while also supplementing your storage. Designed as the ultimate Aussie retreat, the range includes granny flats, teenage retreats, family homes, and weekenders.
Located in Lake Cowell, this 36 x 10.5 x 3.5 metre shed was built as a weekend getaway and recreational vehicle storage. The ABC Sheds team lined the interior of the shed with Bondor insulated panels, ensuring maximum comfort in any weather conditions. The owners use it themselves and rent it out for additional income which ensures the shed house is utilised, year-round.
While our sheds are typically large structures used for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and horticultural applications, we have built shed house frames in the past. If we do supply the frame, it’s up to you to fit out the interior. To see your options, use our online shed builder tool or ask for a quote!