If you've ever tried to find the "perfect" shed base, you'll know one thing right away: there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Some sheds sit on spongy grass. Others on rocky slopes. And then there are those monster sheds that weigh as much as a small car.
So before you reach for a bag of cement or click "buy" on a plastic grid base, it pays to step back and ask: What's my shed really going to sit on?
I've built sheds on more types of ground than I care to remember - from flat concrete pads to sloped gardens held back with retaining walls. And each situation needed something a little different.
That's why I put this guide together: to walk you through the 9 most reliable shed foundation types, explain when to use each one (and when not to), and link you to full how-to guides for every base.
Let's start with the most solid option of all...
Want your shed to feel like a house? A poured concrete base - often called a "raft" - is the go-to option.
Completed concrete shed base before commencing shed construction
This is the heavy-duty choice. It's what I'd use for a workshop, a big garden office, or any shed that needs serious staying power. You can reinforce it with steel or keep it plain - either way, it gives you a rock-solid, level foundation that won't shift or sag over time.
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Read more:
How to build a concrete shed base
Using timber shed bearers to support your shed
Not every shed needs to sit on a concrete slab. If you're building a lightweight garden shed or just want to keep costs down, these options can do the job nicely.
These are the lightweight honeycomb-style panels you can fill with gravel. Ideal for small sheds, they install quickly and provide decent drainage.
Interlocking plastic foundation grids
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Read more: Plastic shed foundations
A tried-and-tested option. Place them on a bed of sand and hardcore, level them off, and you're good to go. Still one of the best DIY solutions.
Shed foundation using concrete paving slabs
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Read more: Paving slab foundation
Building a shed foundation with timber bearers
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Read more: Timber and stone foundation
Got a garden with a slope? Don't worry. You don't have to dig out half the hill to get a level shed. Here are two clever ways to work with the land.
Which option is best for you?
Build a short retaining wall with concrete blocks or sleepers, backfill it with compacted material, and place your shed on top. Think of it like a terrace in your garden - one that just happens to support your new shed.
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Read more: Retaining wall foundation
This is the shed version of a stilt house. Concrete piers are set into the ground at key points, and a timber frame sits on top.
Shed pier foundation
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Read more: shed pier foundation
I've built sheds in all sorts of places - half on patios, half on old footings, and sometimes just across a section of hardstanding where nothing is quite level. In situations like these adjustable base systems are invaluable
For most sheds built on patios, driveways, or other hard surfaces, I usually recommend a plastic base kit - specifically, the DryBoot shed bearer support. It lifts the floor just enough (20mm) to protect your timber from rising damp, improves ventilation underneath, and makes it easier to level the shed floor using spacers and shims.
Dryboot supporting bearers with shed floor placed directly on top of bearers
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Read more: about how to use timber shed bearers
Read more: The Dry Boot shed foundation
When the ground is really uneven or the shed is larger and heavier, I turn to a steel adjustable base system like the Quick Jack. It uses galvanised jacks to support a timber frame - you simply turn each one to raise or lower the height until the whole base is level.
Adjustable shed foundation - metal jacks
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Read more: Metal adjustable shed base
Bonus Tip:
If you're in an exposed area or worried about animals burrowing under your shed, a wire mesh around the base works wonders.
These are like giant steel screws that twist into the ground, forming instant foundation points. They're used for everything from decking to modular homes, and they work great for sheds too.
Close up of ground screw with timber bearers
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Read more: Ground screw foundations
Q: How deep should my shed foundation be?
It depends on the type, but most lightweight sheds don't need deep footings. You just want to make sure the base is level and stable.
Q: Will my shed move or sink over time?
Only if the ground shifts beneath it. That's why proper preparation - especially good drainage and compacted material - is key.
Q: Do I need to anchor my shed to the base?
Yes, especially in windy areas. Most sheds have fixings that let you screw or bolt them to the base.
There's no single "best" shed foundation. It all comes down to your soil, your slope, your shed - and how long you want it to last.
What matters most is choosing a foundation that matches your needs, and that you install it properly. Cut corners here, and you'll feel it every time it rains, the wind blows, or you open the door and find the floor's not quite level.
So take a few minutes to explore your options above, and check out the linked how-to guides. If you build the right foundation, you'll only have to do it once.
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