That feeling when the order confirmation comes through and you exhale. The design decisions are done, the spec is locked in, the deposit’s paid. But then someone asks, “So who’s doing the slab?” and you realise the job is only just starting.
A shed kit is a flatpack. It arrives as steel, bolts, and engineering drawings. Getting it from that pile to a finished building depends entirely on the trades you line up, and most people don’t think about this until the kit is already on its way.
Here’s a straightforward look at who you’ll need to organise, and what to know before you start making calls.
The Concrete Slab Comes Before Everything Else
Before the shed frame gets anywhere near your property, you need somewhere solid to put it. A concrete slab is the most common foundation for a kit shed and, for most uses, the right choice. The best option depends on your shed’s size, intended use, and the conditions on your specific site.
That last part matters more than most people expect. Ground that looks flat and firm can have drainage problems, buried services, or a slope that’s not obvious until someone actually measures it. A good concreter will want to see your site before quoting, and that’s a good sign, not an inconvenience.
Sort out access early too. If your site has a tight driveway, a steep block, or any real distance from the road, this shapes how the work gets done. Depending on the shed size and site conditions, a concrete pump, excavator, or additional labour may be needed. Getting this clarity before you book anyone saves you from a scramble later.
Who Actually Puts the Kit Together?
The answer depends on the size of your shed. Tasmania’s building framework draws a clear line around prefabricated kit sheds that’s worth knowing before you start lining up trades.
For prefabricated shed kits up to 36m², an owner can erect the shed themselves. No licensed builder is required. The engineering drawings that come with the kit satisfy the designer requirement under this pathway. You’ll still need to check planning rules with your local council, and in some cases notify council on completion.
For kits larger than 36m², a licensed builder, licensed designer, and building surveyor must all be engaged. A building permit is also required before work starts.
If you’re not sure where your project sits, the overview of Tasmania’s shed rules and approvals covers the broader framework, and the shed permits page is worth reading before you commit anyone to the job.
One practical note: if you’re erecting the kit yourself within the permitted threshold, the engineering drawings that come with the kit are your guide. Read them before you start and keep them on site throughout the build.
Stormwater and When You Need a Licensed Plumber
A shed kit doesn’t come with drainage sorted. If your shed’s downpipes connect to the stormwater system, a licensed plumber must carry out that connection. No formal approval is required for the stormwater management itself, but the actual tie-in to the system requires a licensed tradesperson.
If water is going to a rainwater tank or dispersing across open ground on a rural block, the situation differs. Either way, it’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure the plumbing complies with national standards. Don’t leave this as an afterthought, particularly on smaller suburban lots where neighbours and local drainage infrastructure are closer together.
Industry Advice: Site Orientation and Getting the Layout Right
This isn’t a regulatory matter, but it’s practical enough to flag before the slab goes down.
In Tasmania, positioning roller doors on the northern or eastern side of a shed where possible tends to reduce exposure to wind and driving weather. This is site-specific and won’t always be possible, but if your block allows for it, it’s worth factoring into the layout before anyone pours concrete. Moving a roller door after the frame is up is a much more expensive conversation.
Similarly, if you’re thinking about solar panels on the shed roof at any point, raise it with your shed company before the kit ships. The structural support for the added load and the optimum roof orientation are both things to design in, not retrofit later.
What to Look for When Hiring Any Trade
Not everyone who quotes on a shed project has the depth of experience to back it up. A few things worth confirming before you commit:
- Are your installers and concreters trade-qualified and insured?
- How many shed kit projects have you completed in Tasmania?
- Can you provide references from recent work?
- Who handles council notification on completion — you or me?
- What’s your process if something unexpected comes up on site?
If your shed supplier is ShedSafe accredited, it’s worth noting. ShedSafe is managed by the Australian Steel Institute and the accreditation has to be earned, not purchased. It’s one useful signal among several when assessing the quality behind the kit you’ve bought.
For a broader look at what tends to go wrong when the trades don’t connect up properly, the shed building mistakes page covers the patterns we see repeated.
Pulling the Trades Together
Most people approach this project in sequence: find a concreter, find an installer, hope it all connects. The builds that run smoothly tend to be the ones where someone holds the thread between each stage, whether that’s a supplier with strong local relationships or someone who’s navigated enough of these jobs to know what order things need to happen in.
If you’ve already bought your kit and are working out what comes next, the next steps guide for Tasmanian kit buyers is a good place to start. And if you’d like help connecting with qualified trades for your build in Tasmania, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Buying the kit is honestly the easier part. What takes real thought is the sequence of everything that follows, and making sure you’ve got the right people lined up for each stage before the first truck arrives.
Find a contractor for your shed kit build →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licensed builder to erect a shed kit in Tasmania?
It depends on the size of your kit. For prefabricated shed kits up to 36m², an owner can erect the shed themselves without a licensed builder. The engineering drawings that come with the kit satisfy the designer requirement under this pathway. For kits larger than 36m², a licensed builder, licensed designer, and building surveyor are all required, along with a building permit before work starts.
Who organises the concrete slab for a shed kit?
This falls to you as the owner to arrange. The shed kit supplier delivers the frame and cladding; they don’t pour the slab. You’ll need to find a concreter, have them inspect the site, and have the slab completed and cured before the kit can be erected. Some shed companies have established relationships with local concreters, so it’s worth asking your supplier if they can refer you to someone they’ve worked with before.
Do I need a plumber when building a shed in Tasmania?
If your shed’s downpipes will connect to the stormwater system, a licensed plumber must carry out that connection. No formal approval is required for the stormwater management itself, but the actual tie-in requires a licensed tradesperson. The owner is responsible for ensuring the overall plumbing setup meets national standards. If water drains to a tank or open ground on a rural property, the requirement differs, but it’s still worth confirming before you finalise your drainage plan.
What is ShedSafe and does it matter for my shed kit?
ShedSafe is an accreditation programme managed by the Australian Steel Institute that promotes safety practices in shed construction. The accreditation must be earned, not purchased. It’s a useful signal when evaluating a supplier’s commitment to quality, but it’s one consideration among several rather than the only thing to check. Other questions around installer qualifications, references, and warranty terms are equally worth asking.
Can I manage the trades myself after buying a shed kit?
You can, particularly if your shed falls within the 36m² threshold where owner-erection is permitted. But coordinating a concreter, a shed installer, and a plumber on a realistic timeline takes more effort than most people expect, especially when sites throw up surprises. Whether you handle this yourself or with support depends on your available time, your site conditions, and how complex the build turns out to be.
What size shed triggers a building permit in Tasmania?
For prefabricated shed kits, a building permit is required for sheds larger than 36m². At that size, a licensed builder, licensed designer, and building surveyor must all be engaged. Below 36m², no building permit is required for a prefabricated kit, though planning approval and council notification requirements may still apply depending on your site and council area. The shed building codes page has more detail on how this works in practice.
