70 square meter kitset steel Shed with Minor Dwelling – designed and made by No Bull Sheds – built in Waikato

When Neale and Margaret Grubb sold their house in Tamahere they subsequently needed somewhere to live while their house was being built. After a stint house-sitting, they moved into their habitable shed on a hilltop just out of Cambridge.

The ‘hilltop’ land went on the market Monday, Neal saw it on Wednesday, they made the offer Thursday, and purchased their dream site on Friday. Done and dusted.

They liked the rural aspect and outlook, the tranquility and the fact that they can’t get built out. This build was to be predominately for garage / storage with a 70m2 habitable area at one end to live in while their house was being built. This gave them the advantage of being on their land and close to the house as it was built. Both Neale & Margaret think that more and more people are building in this way.

Neale knew what he wanted and figured out that Waikato Sheds was just the company to fulfill his plans. The shed is lined and the living area finished to habitable standards. A mezzanine floor provides further insulation and storage space. The shed is 170sqm overall with the garage / storage area measuring 100sqm. The Grubb’s would turn up to site every so often and there would be different piles of stuff so they guessed something must be happening.

Geometrix drew up the architectural plans and living arrangements for the habitable area basing it off an existing plan. There were some minor tweaks, such as deciding against hallways to maximise space, which then allowed an extra bedroom. Another clever re-allocation of space saw them ditch the traditional hot water cupboard for a califont, which left that space free for a broom cupboard. It really is the little things that make a big difference. The kitchen came from Mitre 10 as a flatpack kitchen. The Grubb’s offered a few ideas, and the plan was adjusted to suit their design. The kitchen needed to be well designed and compact which they have succeeded in delivering.

The joinery is double glazed and tinted (with two single glazed windows in the garage), and to protect them from flies and other insects they have fitted insect screens to a selection of windows and doors. Living in the space, they quickly learned about downsizing from a house but Margaret says until you move in you don’t really know how that will go. Occasionally, Margaret wants something, and looks longingly over at the shipping container storing most of their regular household belongings.

Ideas don’t stop once you are moved in and one addition was made to the outside space. To gain some privacy from their immediate neighbour Neale and Margaret created a private courtyard out from the living area for outdoor living and BBQ cooking. This fenced area also gave added protection from the wind.

Once they are in their new Fowler Homes house Neal & Margaret plan to rent out the habitable area of the shed so the investment in this space will not be wasted. They were careful to have the habitable area of the ‘shed’ facing away from the house so neither occupants will have their privacy compromised. Margaret also built a small area for a garden which the future tenant will inherit.

Standard on all our Sheds

Sheds engineered by a Chartered Engineer to comply with the NZ Building Code and Regulations

• Full set of Plans with PS1
• Bird Brush on all Roller Doors
• Designed to Importance Level 2
• Colorsteel Vermin Flashings
• Site Specific Wind Speed Calculations
• Thermakraft Wrap & Safety Mesh for the Roof
• Edge thickening on concrete slab

Waikato Shed Company are proud to partner up with other Companies producing New Zealand made product. Click on the logo for more information on the products we use.