Building a new shed comes with a series of decisions that must be made, most importantly – what type of shed is best? The tried and tested Pole Shed is a popular choice for many Kiwi farmers. Known for its durability, versatility and cost-effectiveness the Pole Shed provides a long-lasting, reliable shed that can be built on almost any site and designed to withstand even the harshest of New Zealand’s conditions. Let’s delve into what a Pole Shed is, how they’re built, the key benefits, and building consent requirements.
What is a Pole Shed?
Unlike a traditional garage-style shed, where construction revolves around attaching framing to a concrete floor, a Pole Shed is built using timber poles that are concreted into the ground to provide both structural and foundational support. These types of sheds are typically made from timber or steel framing (or a combination of both) with metal roofing and cladding (usually long-run roofing iron).
In New Zealand, Pole Sheds are most commonly used for farming activities in rural zones to provide shelter and protection for livestock, implements/machinery, silage/hay, for general storage, and for offices/workshops – their versatility means they can be applied to almost any situation where necessary.
Pole Shed construction
Pole sheds are relatively simple in their construction which is part of the reason why they are so popular. More on the construction process/order of construction of pole sheds below.
The poles
Relying on a series of main structural poles around the perimeter and supporting internal poles if needed, Poles Sheds are built by cementing these poles deep into the ground for both structural and foundational support. Sometimes Pole Sheds are built with the addition of other materials like steel beams to achieve larger spans rather than having centre poles if these will get in the way of the shed’s intended purpose. While these sheds are technically still pole sheds, these are more commonly referred to as Clearspan sheds.
Foundations
Instead of building a shed beginning with the concrete slab, pole sheds are built poles-first. Heavy-duty long wooden poles are concreted into the ground acting as the primary support structure for the entire shed.
Framing
Once the installation of the poles is complete, the shed frame is then constructed within them. This includes fitting beams and installing purlins and girts. This framing provides a structural base for the rest of the shed.
Cladding
After the wall and roof framing is complete, cladding is then added. Options for pole sheds include a variety of choices, however, the most common options for farm sheds include corrugated long-run iron or 5-rib shaped long-run iron. This is because metal sheet cladding is very durable, low maintenance, cost-effective, and very easy and fast to install.
Additional Features
Depending on their intended purpose, pole sheds can be easily customised with the addition of roller doors, windows, closed-in areas, flooring etc. These additional features are installed near the end of the construction process.
Top 5 benefits of Pole Sheds
What are the benefits of building a Pole Shed over other types of farm sheds? Let’s find out!
1. Always cost-effective
One of the top advantages of a pole shed, and perhaps the main reason why these sheds are so popular in the rural environment, is their cost-effectiveness. This is largely due to the simple construction design and durable high-strength materials, which result in a long lifespan, meaning good value for money with a relatively small initial investment.
2. Concrete flooring isn’t required
Another big benefit of building a pole shed is that the poles are set directly into the ground, so the shed doesn’t rely on a concrete floor for construction purposes. This means much faster build times and less initial cost outlay, and you can install the floor later if needed or when time and funds allow.
3. Good durability
Pole sheds are known for being able to withstand the test of time. Whether it’s harsh weather conditions, strong winds or just regular wear and tear, Pole Sheds have incredible structural integrity. The poles in a Pole Shed are also more likely to withstand the knocks from large equipment and machinery that often occur in a farm shed.
4. Fast construction times
Due to their simple design, Pole Sheds (in particular, kitset Pole Sheds) are able to be put together very rapidly. Once earthworks are complete, Pole Sheds are usually easily constructed within a week (depending on the size and available workforce, of course).
5. Very low maintenance
Pole Sheds require very little ongoing maintenance. The structural timber poles and framing will remain strong for many many years with very little deterioration. The cladding is the most likely thing to fail or require repairs long before the poles or framing will.
Do I need Building Consent for a Pole Shed in NZ?
If you are planning on building a new shed, one of the main questions that will pop up is whether or not you need to get Building Consent. The main criteria for pole sheds are the size of the shed. Any Pole Shed that is over 110m2 in floor size will require consent. Pole Sheds under this size can then be further categorised and may not require consent. NZ’s Building Code requirements for Pole Shed consent exemptions are summarised below. This information is provided as a guide only, always contact your local council or building professional for further advice on Building Consent requirements in your area.
Consent exemptions for Pole Sheds
Pole Sheds meeting all of the following criteria are not likely to need building consent:
- Design or construction work is carried out/supervised by either a Licensed Building Practitioner or Chartered Professional Engineer (This includes purchasing a prefabricated or kitset building that has been approved by a Chartered Professional Engineer).
- The shed is located in a rural area and is a single-story structure.
- It does not exceed 110m2 in floor area.
- Height does not exceed 4m (above floor level).
- The unsupported roof span doesn’t exceed 6 metres in any direction.
- It is inaccessible to the public or used to store hazardous substances.
- The location is not in a wind zone that is categorised as “greater than ‘high’ or has a design wind speed of more than 44m/per second”.
It is also important to note even if your new shed does not require building consent, it must still comply with the NZ Building Code and other legislation, including the Resource Management Act 1991, the Electricity Act 1992, storm water disposal regulations, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
How much does a Building Consent cost?
You need to apply to your local regional council to obtain building consent for your Pole Shed. The consent process varies from council to council so you should contact a local representative for more detailed information on costs, requirements and how to proceed with your Building Consent application.
As a rough guide, depending on the size and complexity of your shed project, it is likely building consent in New Zealand will cost around $2,000 to $6,000. This amount is made up of Council fees, processing costs, inspection costs, development contribution fees, the Code of Compliance Certificate and other costs.
Need more info? Check out this handy government guide to building Pole Sheds without consent or contact the GreenWood Sheds team for more detailed information on Pole Shed kitset design and construction.
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