Our show site and office is closed for Christmas and will reopen on 3rd January
Our show site and office is closed for Christmas and will reopen on 3rd January
Our show site and office is closed for Christmas and will reopen on 3rd January

Find Your Dream Garden Workshop: Pro Tips for a Successful Purchase

Our buildings are available in more or less in any size to suit you. All wooden workshops include free assembly saving you loads of money and making life just a little easier. They can be made bespoke to suit your needs in a range of styles, sizes, and finishes.

What Other Outdoor Buildings Companies Don’t Want You To Know

When searching for workshops for the garden, the process may seem simple. You can easily browse the internet, select the desired size, and search for the most affordable option. Sounds easy, right?

However, it’s not as straightforward as it seems due to the wide range of sheds available, varying in quality from low-cost and poorly made to high-end sheds that rival those found at Hampton Court Palace.

To ensure that you purchase the right shed for your specific requirements, it is essential to conduct thorough research. You can read the following information or refer to our What You Need To Know webpage or any of our Top Buying Tips pages.

Buy Smart: Discover the Value of Shopping from an Established Business

When you opt to purchase your timber building from a reputable company, you can have confidence in their extensive industry knowledge. Furthermore, their establishment is a result of offering the correct products at competitive prices.

Crucially, they prioritise customer feedback. By selecting a company that has a physical showroom, you can be certain that there is a reliable point of contact if needed. Online-only businesses may appear and disappear without warning.

By choosing a company with a physical address, you will also have the opportunity to communicate with a representative. Simply searching for terms like “workshops near me” or “garden shed suppliers” will typically lead you to a local business.

Expert Garden Building Installation – Quick and Hassle-Free

Garden workshops, by their inherent nature, are typically large and heavy, which can present challenges when constructing them. While this may not be an issue for some individuals, opting for a company that provides delivery and installation services is always a superior choice.

Not only does this option save you significant hassle, but it also ensures proper and accurate installation. In addition to offering assembly services for our sheds, we also can arrange the construction of a suitable base.

This can be accomplished using either a sturdy concrete slab or a tanalised timber sub-frame base. Furthermore, we can even accommodate requests for customised paint colours to match your preferences, although it’s important to note that our buildings already come with a protective treatment.

Workshop Buying Mistakes to Avoid: Why You Should Always View Before Purchasing

When purchasing items online, it can be difficult to truly understand what you are getting without physically seeing it. This is especially important when buying a new garden building, as it’s crucial to ensure that it meets your expectations.

By personally inspecting the proposed structure, you can assess its quality and construction. You’ll be able to determine its height to avoid any head bumps and evaluate the craftsmanship of the doors and windows.

By taking this step, you can avoid purchasing a cheap and poorly made shed, as our well-constructed buildings are built to last. By viewing the shed beforehand, you can save yourself from potential disappointment and stress.

You’ll appreciate the value of investing in a quality building rather than simply going for the lowest price.

Longevity vs. Cost: Finding the Perfect Balance for Your Shed

Standard sizes or designs have their benefits in terms of cost reduction. However, wouldn’t it be advantageous to purchase a building that perfectly suits your needs and complements your garden?

By opting for a customised shed, you can optimise its functionality and ensure it fits perfectly in the available space. Get in touch with a company that specialises in creating tailor-made structures based on your desired size and design.

The additional cost involved will be minimal compared to the satisfaction of having a shed that fully meets your requirements. Simply share your ideal shed specifications with us, and we will make every effort to fulfil your needs.

Building with Confidence: Selecting the Finest Timber for Your New Construction

Money can be saved by opting for a less expensive type of wood like whitewood. While it may suffice for a basic garden shed, it is preferable to prioritise high-quality redwood timber.

Redwood grows at a slower pace compared to whitewood, resulting in a denser grain that ensures a longer lifespan. Although it may entail a slightly higher cost, investing in redwood offers better long-term prospects.

Whitewood, due to its fast growth, is prone to small knots falling out. Rest assured that all timber is responsibly sourced and meets the quality standards set by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Given the current need to protect our environment, this certification holds significant importance.

Chipboard, Sterling Board, or OSB: The Potential Threats Revealed

Most inexpensive garden workshops often utilise chipboard, OSB, or Sterling board for their floors and roofs to cut costs. However, once moisture seeps in, these boards begin to expand and deteriorate, ultimately leading to the demise of your brand-new building.

Certain companies attempt to conceal this issue by describing their floors and roofs as “Sheet Materials.” They avoid explicitly mentioning chipboard or OSB board, as they are aware of the potential problems that may arise down the line.

At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we highly recommend the use of solid timber. We strictly avoid the use of chipboard, OSB board, or Sterling board in our buildings!

The Best Garden Workshops to Buy: Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re in the market for high-quality, long-lasting sheds that will enhance your home, look no further than our Diamond and Platinum range of wooden buildings. These are crafted by family businesses that prioritise exceptional quality.

Built with durable redwood, toughened glass, sturdy framing, and doors, they are designed to withstand any weather conditions. Plus, we offer free installation services for your convenience. In addition to our standard sizes and styles, we also provide the option to create a custom shed that perfectly suits your needs.

We believe that you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your workshop. That’s why we encourage you to visit our showrooms in Surrey to see the quality of our products first-hand. Unlike pushy salespeople, our team is dedicated to providing you with expert advice and a warm welcome.

If you’re looking for quality sheds in various sizes and designs, our range of buildings is sure to meet your requirements. We offer customisation options so that you don’t have to compromise. With our display site near Woking, and Guildford in Surrey, you can personally view examples of our sheds and see the variety of sizes and styles available.

Our Guildford location is open seven days a week for your convenience. Most importantly, we offer free delivery and assembly for most garden sheds. Take the opportunity to explore our range of buildings online and then visit our family business, established in 1979. We look forward to assisting you with your needs.

About Author:

Robin Antill is an established authority in the field of quality garden building manufacturing, boasting over four decades of experience. Having founded Titan Garden Buildings in 1979, he demonstrated a commitment to excellence from the outset by moving away from sub par materials and embarking on crafting buildings of superior quality.


His lineage of craftsmanship, traced back to his father and grandfather's business in Cleethorpes, underscores his dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Robin's son, Craig, who joined the business in 1990, brings additional expertise, having honed his skills at Guildford College in joinery.


Together, they elevated Titan Garden Buildings, which eventually evolved into 1st Choice Leisure Buildings. Their enduring focus on premium materials, top-notch manufacturing, and unparalleled customer service, along with Craig's digital acumen in creating the company's online presence, showcase their expertise and reliability in the industry.


Robin's expertise was featured in Realtor.com, Homes&Gardens, The London Economic, and dozens other publications.


Woking Show Site
1st Choice Leisure Buildings
Woking Garden Buildings Show Site
Sutton Green Garden Centre,
Whitmoor Ln, Sutton Green,
Guildford,
GU4 7QA
Phone 01483 237550

1st Choice Display Site in Guildford, Surrey. GU4 7QA


1st Choice Leisure Buildings
Woking Garden Buildings Show Site
Sutton Green Garden Centre,
Whitmoor Ln, Sutton Green,
Guildford,
GU4 7QA
Twixt Woking, Ripley and Guildford in Surrey.

Showground Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 9.00- 5.00
Sunday 9.00 - 4.30
©2024 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.