Shed not as hoped for.
A long established, over 35 years, reputable shed manufacturer and installer, but left feeling utterly dismayed at the end result.
Our existing, well rotten, 1996 shed, a 6x4 to fit a small flagged end garden tight space, was a solid construction
Tongue and groove panels, solid both sides, even full length rear panel shelves on brackets for storing paints etc.
A quality lock and key and even handle was attached.
Such a contrast with Harts in 2025!
In Summer 2025, after a decade of having a collapsing shed, floor gone, roof timbers rotten etc, I set about dismantling the big beast of a carcass and hired my first ever skip.
I chose regional maker Harts and placed great trust in them.
My mistake was not going across to inspect what I was spending £500 on - about x2 the solid 1996 shed.
I was so excited about the new water-tight unit arriving.
Coming mid afternoon instead of mid morning, thrown up in 25 mins, cheque handed over.
We had a pocket sized 'box.'
The rear of the panels is like balsa wood - not solid, just hollowed out thin panels. This has led to the panels warping even after two coats right away of the recommended wood proofer.
The 'box' is up to three quarters of a foot short on the advertised sizing, so do go up a size (as with clothing) if you have the space.
There were no shelves so I installed some; added a front door handle and also plyboard/MDF over the lightweight floor to give strength to store a bike, mower, garden tools and pressure washer.
The worst of it is, come the wet Winter of 2025, the badly aligned door (1mm snug at the bottom, but 5mm gap at the top) has swollen firmly shut.
The door panel also was almost completely fractured off at the back end on installation day due to flimsy construction and perhaps being dragged off the lorry.
In short, I chose the wrong firm for the first shed in over 30 years.
It is possible though that unrealistic expectations meant I hoped for a solid unit as before, but cost of materials and labour mean you no longer buy solid construction.
I doubt Harts are that fussed
The cheque is handed over, the new shed thrown up, just get on with it.
They let me and themselves down.
