Planning a Garden Shed, Base and Fencing in Dublin

How to Plan a Garden Shed Base, Shed and Fence Together

A good garden shed base is level, firm, slightly larger than the shed and allows rainwater to drain away. In Dublin gardens that usually means a paving slab base or a compacted gravel base, planned at the same time as the shed position and any new fencing so that all three fit together and the shed lasts for years.

This guide covers how to choose a spot, the base options we use, what happens to an old shed, how fencing fits around a new shed and the main planning rules for sheds and fences in Ireland.

Why the Shed, Base and Fence Should Be Planned Together

Many people buy a shed first and think about the ground and the boundary later. That often leads to a shed sitting tight against a fence it cannot be maintained behind, a base that is too small, or new fence posts that clash with the shed footprint. When the three jobs are planned together, the base can be set out to the right size, the fence line can be fixed first, and access is left on every side that needs painting or treating.

It also saves work on site. Ground can be cleared and levelled once, materials for the base and the fence can be delivered together, and the old shed can be removed in the same visit. Through our garden shed installation and fencing services in Dublin we usually look at all three during one free consultation.

Choosing the Right Spot for Your Shed

The position of the shed decides how big the base needs to be and how the fencing is laid out. Before anything is ordered, it is worth walking the garden and checking a few practical points.

• Ground level and drainage. Avoid the lowest corner of the garden where water collects after heavy rain, which is common on heavy Dublin clay.
• Access around the shed. Leave a gap of roughly 450 to 600 mm on the sides you need to reach, so timber can be treated and gutters cleared.
• Door direction. Think about how you will carry a lawnmower or bikes in and out, and whether the door opens towards a path.
• Trees and roots. Keep clear of large tree roots and overhanging branches that drop leaves and moisture on the roof.
• Light and views. A shed placed against the back fence keeps the open lawn and patio area free and is less visible from the house.
• Space left in the garden. In smaller terraced and semi-detached gardens, the shed should not crowd out the space you use most.

Once the spot is chosen, we mark out the footprint of the shed plus a margin, which gives the size of the garden shed base.

Garden Shed Base Options for Dublin Gardens

A timber shed should never sit straight on soil or grass. Damp ground rots the floor bearers, the shed moves as the ground settles, and doors begin to stick. The base spreads the weight, keeps the floor level and lifts the timber away from moisture. The two options we most often recommend are a paving slab shed base and a gravel shed base.

Paving slab shed base

Garden slabs laid on a compacted sub-base and a bed of mortar or sand give a flat, hard, clean surface. A slab base is a good choice for larger sheds, sheds that will hold heavy equipment, and gardens where the shed sits next to a patio, because the slabs can be matched to the surrounding paving. It also gives a tidy apron in front of the door that stays dry underfoot in winter.

Gravel shed base

A gravel base is built by digging out the topsoil, laying a compacted stone sub-base and finishing with gravel inside a timber or block edging. Gravel drains freely, which suits wetter spots, and it is quick to install. We supply three kinds of gravel surface in a range of colours, so a gravel shed base can match a gravel path or driveway elsewhere in the garden.

What every good base needs

1. Topsoil, roots and turf removed so the base sits on firm ground.
2. A well-compacted sub-base to stop sinking and movement.
3. A level finished surface, checked in both directions.
4. A size slightly larger than the shed so rain runs off the edges, not under the floor.
5. A slight fall or free-draining finish so water does not pool beside the timber.

If you would like the base to tie in with a new patio or path, see our patio paving, garden slabs and gravel work for the materials we use.

Old Shed Removal and Timber Shed Installation

Most of the sheds we replace in Dublin are old timber sheds with rotten floors, leaking felt roofs or doors that no longer close. Old shed removal is part of our timber garden shed installation service, so you do not need to arrange a separate skip or contractor. We take the old shed down, clear the ground and assess whether any existing base can be reused or needs to be replaced.

An old concrete or slab base is sometimes cracked, too small for the new shed or out of level. Building on a poor base shortens the life of a new shed, so we will tell you honestly whether it is worth keeping. Once the new garden shed base is ready, the timber shed is assembled square and level, fixed securely and checked so the doors and windows open freely.

Garden Fencing Around a New Shed

A new shed is often the moment to deal with a tired or leaning fence. Replacing the fence first means the new posts go in at the correct line without being blocked by the shed, and the shed can then be positioned with a proper maintenance gap behind it. Our garden fencing work covers back and side boundaries as well as fencing that screens a shed or bin area from the house.

When planning fencing next to a shed, keep these points in mind.

• Agree the boundary line with your neighbour before old panels come down.
• Do not fix the shed to the fence, as each needs to move and be maintained separately.
• Keep soil and gravel below the bottom of fence panels so the timber does not stay wet.
• Consider a short run of screening fence to hide the shed from the patio or kitchen window.

Shed and Fence Planning Rules in Ireland

Many garden sheds and fences are exempt from planning permission, but only if they meet set conditions. According to Citizens Information guidance on planning permission for altering your house, since 27 July 2026 a shed or similar structure at the back or side of a house can be exempt if it:

• has a floor area of not more than 30 square metres on its own or together with similar structures
• is 4 metres or lower in height with a tiled or slated pitched roof, or 3 metres with any other roof type
• does not extend out in front of the building line of the house
• does not reduce the open space at the back or side of the house to less than 25 square metres

The shed cannot be lived in or used for commercial purposes. For boundaries, the same guidance says wooden fences can be built up to 2 metres high at the side or back of the house and 1.2 metres at the front. Other conditions can apply, for example to protected structures or where an earlier planning permission limits exempt development, so check the full guidance or ask your local council if you are unsure.

Getting Your Garden Shed Base, Shed and Fence Done Right

A well-built garden shed base is the part of the job you will not see once the shed is in place, but it decides how long the shed lasts. Choosing the spot carefully, building a level slab or gravel base, removing the old shed properly and fixing the fence line first gives a tidy result that works for years. We have more than 15 years of experience with gardens throughout Dublin and the surrounding areas, and every project starts with a free consultation and a quote designed around your garden and your budget, backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

To arrange a free consultation for a new shed, base or fence, contact Dublin Landscaping Services, call us on 083 008 3649 or email info@dublinlandscapingservices.ie.

How to Plan a Garden Shed Base, Shed and Fence Together

A good garden shed base is level, firm, slightly larger than the shed and allows rainwater to drain away. In Dublin gardens that usually means a paving slab base or a compacted gravel base, planned at the same time as the shed position and any new fencing so that all three fit together and the shed lasts for years.

This guide covers how to choose a spot, the base options we use, what happens to an old shed, how fencing fits around a new shed and the main planning rules for sheds and fences in Ireland.

Why the Shed, Base and Fence Should Be Planned Together

Many people buy a shed first and think about the ground and the boundary later. That often leads to a shed sitting tight against a fence it cannot be maintained behind, a base that is too small, or new fence posts that clash with the shed footprint. When the three jobs are planned together, the base can be set out to the right size, the fence line can be fixed first, and access is left on every side that needs painting or treating.

It also saves work on site. Ground can be cleared and levelled once, materials for the base and the fence can be delivered together, and the old shed can be removed in the same visit. Through our garden shed installation and fencing services in Dublin we usually look at all three during one free consultation.

Choosing the Right Spot for Your Shed

The position of the shed decides how big the base needs to be and how the fencing is laid out. Before anything is ordered, it is worth walking the garden and checking a few practical points.

• Ground level and drainage. Avoid the lowest corner of the garden where water collects after heavy rain, which is common on heavy Dublin clay.
• Access around the shed. Leave a gap of roughly 450 to 600 mm on the sides you need to reach, so timber can be treated and gutters cleared.
• Door direction. Think about how you will carry a lawnmower or bikes in and out, and whether the door opens towards a path.
• Trees and roots. Keep clear of large tree roots and overhanging branches that drop leaves and moisture on the roof.
• Light and views. A shed placed against the back fence keeps the open lawn and patio area free and is less visible from the house.
• Space left in the garden. In smaller terraced and semi-detached gardens, the shed should not crowd out the space you use most.

Once the spot is chosen, we mark out the footprint of the shed plus a margin, which gives the size of the garden shed base.

Garden Shed Base Options for Dublin Gardens

A timber shed should never sit straight on soil or grass. Damp ground rots the floor bearers, the shed moves as the ground settles, and doors begin to stick. The base spreads the weight, keeps the floor level and lifts the timber away from moisture. The two options we most often recommend are a paving slab shed base and a gravel shed base.

Paving slab shed base

Garden slabs laid on a compacted sub-base and a bed of mortar or sand give a flat, hard, clean surface. A slab base is a good choice for larger sheds, sheds that will hold heavy equipment, and gardens where the shed sits next to a patio, because the slabs can be matched to the surrounding paving. It also gives a tidy apron in front of the door that stays dry underfoot in winter.

Gravel shed base

A gravel base is built by digging out the topsoil, laying a compacted stone sub-base and finishing with gravel inside a timber or block edging. Gravel drains freely, which suits wetter spots, and it is quick to install. We supply three kinds of gravel surface in a range of colours, so a gravel shed base can match a gravel path or driveway elsewhere in the garden.

What every good base needs

1. Topsoil, roots and turf removed so the base sits on firm ground.
2. A well-compacted sub-base to stop sinking and movement.
3. A level finished surface, checked in both directions.
4. A size slightly larger than the shed so rain runs off the edges, not under the floor.
5. A slight fall or free-draining finish so water does not pool beside the timber.

If you would like the base to tie in with a new patio or path, see our patio paving, garden slabs and gravel work for the materials we use.

Old Shed Removal and Timber Shed Installation

Most of the sheds we replace in Dublin are old timber sheds with rotten floors, leaking felt roofs or doors that no longer close. Old shed removal is part of our timber garden shed installation service, so you do not need to arrange a separate skip or contractor. We take the old shed down, clear the ground and assess whether any existing base can be reused or needs to be replaced.

An old concrete or slab base is sometimes cracked, too small for the new shed or out of level. Building on a poor base shortens the life of a new shed, so we will tell you honestly whether it is worth keeping. Once the new garden shed base is ready, the timber shed is assembled square and level, fixed securely and checked so the doors and windows open freely.

Garden Fencing Around a New Shed

A new shed is often the moment to deal with a tired or leaning fence. Replacing the fence first means the new posts go in at the correct line without being blocked by the shed, and the shed can then be positioned with a proper maintenance gap behind it. Our garden fencing work covers back and side boundaries as well as fencing that screens a shed or bin area from the house.

When planning fencing next to a shed, keep these points in mind.

• Agree the boundary line with your neighbour before old panels come down.
• Do not fix the shed to the fence, as each needs to move and be maintained separately.
• Keep soil and gravel below the bottom of fence panels so the timber does not stay wet.
• Consider a short run of screening fence to hide the shed from the patio or kitchen window.

Shed and Fence Planning Rules in Ireland

Many garden sheds and fences are exempt from planning permission, but only if they meet set conditions. According to Citizens Information guidance on planning permission for altering your house, since 27 July 2026 a shed or similar structure at the back or side of a house can be exempt if it:

• has a floor area of not more than 30 square metres on its own or together with similar structures
• is 4 metres or lower in height with a tiled or slated pitched roof, or 3 metres with any other roof type
• does not extend out in front of the building line of the house
• does not reduce the open space at the back or side of the house to less than 25 square metres

The shed cannot be lived in or used for commercial purposes. For boundaries, the same guidance says wooden fences can be built up to 2 metres high at the side or back of the house and 1.2 metres at the front. Other conditions can apply, for example to protected structures or where an earlier planning permission limits exempt development, so check the full guidance or ask your local council if you are unsure.

Getting Your Garden Shed Base, Shed and Fence Done Right

A well-built garden shed base is the part of the job you will not see once the shed is in place, but it decides how long the shed lasts. Choosing the spot carefully, building a level slab or gravel base, removing the old shed properly and fixing the fence line first gives a tidy result that works for years. We have more than 15 years of experience with gardens throughout Dublin and the surrounding areas, and every project starts with a free consultation and a quote designed around your garden and your budget, backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

To arrange a free consultation for a new shed, base or fence, contact Dublin Landscaping Services, call us on 083 008 3649 or email info@dublinlandscapingservices.ie.