UK Potting Shed Cost Guide
Written by Matt W on 7th Aug 2026.
Live prices below
Power is kerbside
Delivery and fitting included
Budget separately
UK potting shed costs range from lower-priced Power self-build models to fitted Swallow ThermoWood buildings above £3,000. A current Power 6ft Apex price appears below, while a Swallow Jay 6x8 includes delivery and installation. Budget separately for the prepared base, annual treatment, access work and optional doors. Compare the total installed cost, not the product card alone.
Key takeaways
- Power gives the lowest current starting prices in the live range.
- A separate store raises cost through extra length, partition and door.
- Swallow Jay pricing includes delivery and fitting on a prepared base.
- A 6x9 Fastfit floor kit currently costs £160.
- Power warranty terms require annual treatment inside and outside.
- Concrete base quotes vary with access, slope, waste and local labour.
View this self-build potting shed
Matt's budget note
The cheapest card price can produce the dearer weekend. Add the base, preservative, fixings and assembly before comparing it with a fitted shed. I want both totals on the same piece of paper.
How much does a potting shed cost in the UK?
The building price depends on width, length, roof, storage and fitting. Current Power prices start below the fitted Swallow range. Power models arrive kerbside for assembly. Swallow models include delivery and installation.
The live records checked on 7 August 2026 show five useful benchmarks:
| Example | Size or width | Service | Live building price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power 6x8 Apex | 1,814 x 2,492mm | Kerbside | £973 |
| Power 6x8 Pent | 1,814 x 2,492mm | Kerbside | £973 |
| Power 12x6 Apex Combi | 1,814 x 3,682mm | Kerbside | £1,428 |
| Swallow Jay 6x8 | 2,035 x 2,550mm | Delivered and installed | £3,751 |
| Swallow Rook 8x8 | About 2,660 x 2,550mm | Delivered and installed | £4,606 |
Use live shortcodes because prices change. The best potting sheds comparison explains which example suits each buyer.
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Matt's pick for a controlled budgetBest for: Buyers happy to organise the base and assembly themselves. Why we rate it: Staging and toughened glazing are included without a fitted-build premium. Live price: £973 |
Why do Power potting sheds cost less?
Power uses a modular self-build system and kerbside delivery. The 6ft Apex has 12mm shiplap boards, a 12mm floor and 44 x 28mm framing. Its 500mm two-tier staging comes as standard.
Current delivery records state five to seven working days, subject to availability. The vehicle may be 18 or 26 tonnes. Delivery beyond the kerb remains at the driver's discretion.
The buyer supplies assembly labour and a suitable base. Annual preservative treatment is also required under current ten-year warranty terms. These costs sit outside the card price.
Power is not a stripped storage shed. Toughened glass, staging and a locking door remain included. The saving mainly reflects delivery and build method.
Why do Swallow potting sheds cost more?
Swallow includes more factory detail and an installation service. The Jay 6x8 uses ThermoWood, 3mm toughened glass and a 12mm fitted floor on plastic runners.
Its front staging is 520mm deep and 745mm high. Two roof vents have Bayliss XL automatic openers. One side window opens, while the 810 x 1,980mm door uses a mortise lock.
The price includes delivery and installation on a prepared base. Current timing is eight to twelve weeks after base confirmation. Access restrictions still apply, including 2,032mm clear height for Jay panels.
The premium therefore covers material, glazing detail, vents and fitting. It does not cover the groundwork.
How much extra does a combi storage bay cost?
A Combi adds length, a fixed partition and another locking door. Compare the Power 6ft Apex with its Combi equivalent below. Both use the same 1,814mm width.
The standard Apex example is 2,492mm deep. The 12x6 Apex Combi reaches 3,682mm and includes a nominal 4ft store. It retains 500mm staging in the growing section.
The price difference buys separation rather than a better bench. Decide whether a locked bay removes the need for another shed. The combi storage guide covers that choice.
How much should you budget for the base?
Base cost varies more than the shed card price suggests. Ground slope, excavation, spoil removal, access and local labour all matter. A simple level plot costs less than a wet slope behind a terraced house.
A current Fastfit 6x9 floor kit costs £160. It still needs suitable prepared ground. It is not a cure for soft, uneven or waterlogged soil.
Published 2026 trade guides place installed concrete shed bases across wide ranges. Checkatrade quotes about £500-£750 for 6x4 and £1,000-£1,500 for 12x8. Treat those figures as quote benchmarks, not fixed prices.
Get local written quotes for excavation, sub-base, finished slab and waste. The base guide helps specify the work.
What hidden costs should you include?
Write a total-cost sheet before ordering. Include every item that must happen before the first seed tray reaches the bench.
- Ground clearance and waste removal.
- Concrete, slabs or a suitable floor system.
- Assembly labour for kerbside products.
- Annual timber preservative for Power.
- Optional double doors, gutters or shelves.
- Access changes, such as removing a fence panel.
- Electrical work by a qualified installer, if required.
Do not add mains power casually. Outdoor circuits and damp growing spaces need competent design and protection.
Quote warning: Confirm whether VAT, spoil removal, access and final levelling are included. A low base quote may omit the expensive parts.
How can you compare total potting shed costs?
Use one worksheet for every option. Put the product price first, then add base, delivery, fitting, initial treatment and chosen extras.
| Cost line | Power self-build | Swallow fitted | Evidence needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | Live shortcode | Live shortcode | Product page |
| Delivery | Current kerbside terms | Included | Postcode check |
| Installation | DIY or quoted | Included | Written scope |
| Base | Separate | Separate | Metric drawing |
| Treatment | Annual | Check current terms | Warranty document |
| Access work | Plot dependent | Plot dependent | Route survey |
The buying guide explains which specification differences are worth paying for.
Compare three price levels
Why we show different price levels: Some buyers want a capable self-build shed. Others want a fitted permanent building. Showing both makes the service difference visible before anyone compares totals. - Matt W, Potting Sheds
Frequently asked questions
How much is a good potting shed?
Current prices span self-build Power models and fitted Swallow buildings. Use the live table because stock and prices change.
Does a potting shed price include installation?
Swallow includes installation; standard Power delivery does not. Confirm the exact service on the chosen product page.
How much does a concrete shed base cost?
Quotes vary by size, ground, access and region. Obtain local written prices from the manufacturer's metric base drawing.
Is a combi shed more expensive?
Yes, because it adds length, a partition and another door. It may still cost less than buying two buildings.
What ongoing costs does a timber shed have?
Preservative, roof care and occasional hardware checks are typical. Follow the warranty schedule for the exact range.