Was delivered on the date requested and was off loaded and stacked neatly beside the house. Didn't realise the base coat would be patchy, having spoken with customer servicrs they assured us this... See more
Company replied
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
The shed itself is great. Confusion over booking 'delivery date' (which apparently meant 'collection from Shire date') meant it was delivered a few days after I expected. Few bare patches of dipping... See more
Company replied
I could not log onto the online portal to book my delivery date. Phoned the office on two occasions both days their portal was also down. Third day tried and i got onto book date online. Stating 21st... See more
Company replied
I bought one of the Honeysuckle Corner Arbours and found it reasonably easy to assemble. However, I would make two suggestions- I found it impossible at step 12 of the assembly instructions to screw... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Shire Garden Buildings is a proud, family-run business based in Cambridgeshire, with over 40 years of trading experience. Since 1981, we have been manufacturing high-quality garden buildings in the UK, building our reputation on craftsmanship, reliability, and exceptional service. Every product we sell is manufactured here in the UK, using high-quality Northern European timber. Originally transitioning from yacht production into garden building manufacturing, we drew on the extensive skills of our workforce to establish a strong foundation for growth. Over the decades, we have continued to expand, with knowledge and expertise passed down through generations. Today, our factories and warehouses span approximately 20 acres, supported by investment in state-of-the-art equipment including a planing mill, fully self-contained joinery production, undercover timber storage, and large warehouses capable of holding up to 20,000 buildings in stock. We employ over 150 dedicated team members who share our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our extensive product range includes sheds, summer houses, greenhouses, playhouses, and much more, all crafted to the highest standards. From manufacture to delivery, we manage the process ourselves, dispatching orders using our own fleet to ensure reliability and care. Our exceptional after-sales team is always on hand to help with anything at all, providing the support and reassurance our customers value.
Contact info
Shire, Brigstock Road, Wisbech, PE13 3JJ, United Kingdom
- 01945 465295
- rob@shiregb.co.uk
- www.shiregb.com
Shire Frequently Asked Questions
3.2
Average
2K reviews
Asks customers to review
This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 month
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Poor quality product, excuse-laden customer service
I purchased a shed from Shire via B&Q just over 2 years ago, it was treated inside and out as recommended, now a shed should reasonably last at least 10-15 years with the correct treatment, etc, yet after only 2 years my shed has started to split in numerous places, some splits so bad I can fit my whole hand through them, and one of the roofing timbers actually split, nearly causing the roof to cave. Shire's answer? Was to first refute I had treated the shed internally, something they could apparently tell from pictures, and they then went on to say that it seems perfectly reasonable that a shed that's only 2 years old should split like that, and that "timber can naturally split through a knot", when I questioned them about the fact that if this was a prevelant risk, why was the timber used as a roofing support, their answer, "sometimes these slip through our quality check" and yet they had no interest whatsoever in trying to assist with dealing with the matter. I have now referred this to B&Q escalations and trading standards
5 July 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Hi Callum,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you are disappointed with both your building and your experience with our customer service.
We appreciate your clarification that the building was treated internally as well as externally, and we apologise that our initial assessment based on the photographs led to an incorrect assumption. We subsequently acknowledged this once you provided further information.
Following our review of the images and the details provided, our assessment remains that the issues shown are consistent with the natural characteristics and movement of timber over time rather than a manufacturing defect. We appreciate that you disagree with this conclusion and understand your frustration, particularly given your concerns regarding the roof bearer.
As the matter has now been referred to B&Q, we will work with them directly should they require any further technical information or assessment. We are sorry that we have been unable to reach the outcome you were hoping for and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
I’m giving 1 star solely because of the…
I’m giving 1 star solely because of the delivery service.
I ordered the Holkham Greenhouse in May 2026. By the end of June, I still hadn’t received any information about when it would be delivered. After waiting for over a month without any updates, I decided to cancel my order.
The customer service team was polite, helpful, and accommodating whenever I contacted them. Unfortunately, they were unable to explain why my order had been delayed or provide an estimated delivery date.
Overall, I’m very disappointed with the delivery experience. While the customer service was good, the lack of communication and the excessive delay made the experience frustrating.
4 July 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Hi Lorinda,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're very sorry that your order was delayed and that you were not kept informed of its progress.
We appreciate your kind comments about our customer service team, and we're pleased they were able to assist you as much as possible. However, we fully understand that this did not make up for the lack of delivery updates or the uncertainty surrounding your order.
We sincerely apologise for the frustration and disappointment this caused, particularly as you ultimately felt you had no option but to cancel your order. Your feedback has been noted and will be used to help improve our communication throughout the order and delivery process.
We hope we have the opportunity to provide you with a much better experience in the future.
One of the doors is warped and response from customer services is poor
One of the doors is completely warped and I can’t get a response out of your customer services team since I pushed back after their first response despite sending photographs.
The quality of most of the summer house is good but there’s 3 or 4 quality issues I can rectify (but should t have to) and the door which needs replaced.
Added after response from Shire. - you didn’t offer guidance. You offered a physically impossible solution without defacing the door. How can you pull the door straight by adding catches to the inside when I’m outside?
4 July 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Hi Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're sorry to hear that your experience has fallen short of your expectations, particularly regarding communication and the door you have raised concerns about.
We appreciate that this has been frustrating, and we apologise if you felt your concerns were not addressed as promptly or clearly as they should have been. While we have provided guidance based on our assessment and the terms of the product warranty, we understand that this was not the outcome you were hoping for.
We value all customer feedback as it helps us improve both our products and our service. If there is anything further we can assist you with within the scope of our support, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Exceptional quality
Exceptional quality, easy to follow instructions.
Delivered on the day by a very helpful and knowledgeable driver.
24 April 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you were impressed with the quality of your order and found the instructions easy to follow. It's also fantastic to know your delivery arrived as expected and that our driver made such a positive impression with their helpfulness and knowledge.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and we hope you enjoy your purchase for many years to come!
When I had problems sending pictures of…
When I had problems sending pictures of area they quickly got back to me and sorted the problem
3 July 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you so much for your kind review.
We're really pleased to hear that our team was able to resolve the issue with sending your photos quickly and make the process as straightforward as possible. We understand how frustrating technical issues can be, so we're glad we could help get everything sorted without delay.
Thank you for choosing us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. If you ever need any further assistance, we're always here to help.
Wobbly walls
The walls of the summerhouse wobble a lot. The timber for the external walls are just a cm or so thick. Plus the delivery was pushed back by a few weeks. Not sure how long it will last structurally.
Shire Elm 10 ft x 17 ft Log Cabin
14 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience, particularly regarding the delivery delay and your concerns about the cabin's stability.
The Elm is a 19mm interlocking log cabin, and during assembly it's quite normal for the walls to feel less rigid until the roof, floor and all structural components have been fully fitted and secured. Once correctly assembled on a firm, level base, the completed building is designed to provide a strong and durable structure.
We do apologise for the delay to your delivery, as we understand how frustrating this can be when you're looking forward to your new garden building.
If you're still concerned about how your cabin has settled or its structural integrity, we'd really like the opportunity to help. Please contact our customer service team with some photos of the building, and we'll be happy to review the installation and offer any advice or assistance needed.
We appreciate your feedback and hope we can help restore your confidence in your cabin.
All went well
All went well, delivery on time and all parts in order.
One concern was that one board was damaged, but not enough to complain.
28 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're delighted to hear that your order arrived on time and that everything was complete.
We're sorry to hear that one of the boards arrived with some damage, even if it wasn't significant enough to affect your project. We always aim for every item to arrive in perfect condition, so we'll take your feedback on board as we continue to improve our packaging and handling.
We really appreciate your comments and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
Damaged Front to Play Shed.
Damaged Front to Play Shed.
When the play shed was delivered there was a few issues with the front panel:-
1) Damage where top of doorway had been cut out: it looked like they had used a chainsaw - I contacted Customer Service (with photos) but they said it isn't a manufacturing fault and I could lightly sand the area to solve - not sure how that would help as there is missing timber from the sawing.
2) Bent over nail on front - Customer Service said that I could carefully remove the nail.
3) Nail sticking out at top preventing roof being flush - Customer Service again said I could carefully remove the nail.
"Shires" refused to replace the front panel, I wonder what Quality Control they have to allow this to even leave the factory.
I don't think it is asking too much, when you spend a lot of money to purchase the play shed, that it is in good condition.
Paul (Suffolk)
18 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're sorry to hear that you remain disappointed with the condition of your playhouse front panel.
Following your initial contact, we reviewed the photographs you provided, and at your request the matter was escalated to management for a further assessment. After carefully reviewing all of the images, we concluded that the areas around the doorway were the result of the normal machining process on a natural timber product, rather than a manufacturing defect requiring a replacement panel.
We appreciate that the appearance did not meet your expectations. However, as explained in our correspondence, light sanding and timber treatment are standard preparation steps for untreated timber buildings and are recommended within the assembly instructions. The protruding and bent nails were also acknowledged, and we advised that these could be easily repositioned during assembly. While these should ideally have been corrected before dispatch, they do not affect the structural integrity or performance of the playhouse.
We understand that this was not the outcome you were hoping for, but after both our customer service team and management independently reviewed your concerns, we remained satisfied that the panel was fit for purpose and did not warrant replacement.
We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue to review our manufacturing and quality control processes.
No star!
No star!! This company sells on B & Q marketplace. Purchased a kids playhouse with a delivery of 5 to 9 working days however product arrived 6 weeks after purchase. Reached out to company who basically blamed me. Product itself is fine and no complaints. Missold delivery times. Will avoid this company if purchasing again. Not a good service.
Reply 01/07/26 - you didnt contact me i contacted you. I was offered to cancel the order however the refund would take upto 7 days so reordering elsewhere wasn't really an option because I had to wait those 7 days before I could reorder. As I said in my original message the contractor blames the customer when things go wrong.
30 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience.
We'd like to clarify that when we contacted you regarding the delay, we offered you the option to cancel your order and receive a full refund. You chose to wait for the item, and we kept the order active based on your decision.
We completely understand that the delivery took much longer than originally expected, and we appreciate your patience. While we're pleased to hear that you're happy with the playhouse itself, we regret that the extended lead time affected your overall experience.
Your feedback is important to us, and we will continue working with our marketplace partners to improve delivery communication and customer experience.
The shed was badly made wood…
The shed was badly made wood splintering actual holes going right through from knots in wood . Gaps where wood didn’t match up . First storm we had it leaked everywhere . I sent pictures and put in a formal complaint but they were not helpful at all . I’m now having to pay a builder £300!3xtra to put eight defects will never purchase from here again
27 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your shed.
After receiving your initial photos, we contacted you to request additional images showing the full length of the affected panels from both the inside and outside of the building. This was needed so we could fully assess the issues you had reported. We also explained that the raised grain visible in the timber can be lightly sanded before treatment, and that any knot holes can be filled with a suitable wood filler, as timber is a natural material and knots can occasionally loosen during transport, storage, or assembly.
Unfortunately, we did not receive the additional photographs requested, which meant we were unable to complete our assessment or determine whether any replacement parts were required.
We appreciate your feedback and are sorry that you were left feeling dissatisfied. Had we received the requested information, we would have been happy to continue investigating the concerns and work towards an appropriate resolution.
The shed itself is great
The shed itself is great. Confusion over booking 'delivery date' (which apparently meant 'collection from Shire date') meant it was delivered a few days after I expected. Few bare patches of dipping treatment but Shire quickly provided some treatment to remedy that. Pane of glass was broken in transit but again Shire were quick to send a replacement pane.
26 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review.
We're really pleased to hear that you're happy with the shed itself, and we appreciate your understanding regarding the delivery confusion. We're sorry that the wording around the booking process caused some misunderstanding and that there were a few issues with the timber treatment and the broken pane of glass.
I'm glad our team was able to resolve these issues quickly by sending out the treatment and replacement glass. We always aim to put things right as promptly as possible.
Thank you again for your feedback—it helps us improve both our products and our service. If there's anything else we can help you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're always happy to help.
Brilliant service
26 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We really appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear you had a brilliant experience with our service.
Your feedback means a lot to our team, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
We got there in the end!
We chose the Shire Barn shed because we love the roof shape and it was a fair price compared with other garden sheds with a similar footprint.
Here are our comments:
Instruction leaflet: The print quality was poor and almost illegible in places. We tried to source a pdf version, but were not able to do so.
The parts list: Part no. A0002 did not measure 34x46x230 as stated. This did not matter as it turned out, but did cause us wasted time and confusion.
Hardware: The 8mm felt nails were particularly blunt and of low quality. Attempting to hammer these into the OSB roof panels was a particular challenge. We bought sharper and slightly longer felt nails for attaching the felt to the roof edges, which helped greatly.
Tools: One thing that we felt should have been on the list was clamps. We found these to be indispensable for holding the side panels together before screwing in place. We also used clamps to hold the roof bearers together (we screwed each pair of roof bearers together despite the assembly instructions not requiring this step, as the bearers were quite warped)
Assembly Instructions:
Step 1. The panel layout is extremely important and could easily be missed as it is included within Step 1 (the tee hinge attachment instructions) instead of Step 4 where the panel assembly instructions begin.
Step 2. (Window panel assembly) In hindsight we would also have glazed the window at this stage as it would have been much easier than waiting until step 21.
Steps 4 to 7 (Panel assembly). The assembly instructions specifically state "do not to fix the walls to the floor until asked". We ignored this instruction and part screwed each panel into the floor to provide some stability to the structure before fitting the gables and roof bearers.
All in all it took two of us 3 days to build the shed. The main issue throughout was the instruction leaflet. If this had been clearer to read (poor print quality) and the steps better explained, and in a more logical order, the build time would probably have been reduced significantly, but we got there in the end!
29 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed and thoughtful review. We’re pleased to hear that you chose the Shire Barn Shed and that you were happy with its design and value.
We sincerely appreciate you sharing your experience and the constructive feedback regarding the instruction leaflet, parts list, hardware, and assembly process. Your comments are incredibly valuable, and we will ensure they are passed on to the manufacturer for review, as they may help improve the instructions and overall assembly experience for future customers.
We understand that building the shed took longer than expected due to the issues you encountered, and we're sorry for the frustration this caused. However, we're delighted to hear that you got there in the end and hope you enjoy your new shed for many years to come.
Thank you again for your honest feedback and for choosing us.
Second Shire summerhouse
Ordering, delivery and erection were first class. A pane of glass was missing but that is being resolved.
Only reason I haven’t given a 5* is because it’s only when you use the shed you find the drawbacks. I have a 8x6 Delmora. The side window is fixed (why?).
The front has top hung windows either side of the doors and when the doors are open you can’t open the windows other than a tiny bit. The picture of it shows those windows side hung.
The handle is cheap and awkward and the two bolts go into drilled holes in the wood on a join.
My last Shire summerhouse was a Woburn and was of better quality. However, the Delmora fitted the gap I had and was cheaper. No regrets but worth noting.
7 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're delighted to hear that you were pleased with the ordering process, delivery and installation, and we really appreciate your kind comments about our fitters.
We're sorry that one pane of glass was missing from your summerhouse. As arranged, our team will be returning on 13th July to fit the missing pane and complete the installation.
We also appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback regarding the Delmora's window configuration and handle design. Customer feedback like yours is invaluable, and we'll ensure your comments are passed on to our product development team for future consideration.
Thank you again for your review, and we hope you enjoy your new summerhouse for many years to come.
Elm summerhouse and side shed.Delivery driver really helpful and…
Delivery driver really helpful and friendly .
A few pieces missing. Instructions not clear and not easy to interpret and would be better in colour .
Done of the wood was bowed which made it more tricky to slot together
22 May 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're pleased to hear our delivery driver was helpful and friendly.
We're sorry that your building was missing a few components and that you found the assembly instructions difficult to follow. We appreciate this feedback, and we'll be sure to pass your comments regarding the instructions on to the relevant team. We're also sorry to hear some of the timber was bowed, making assembly more challenging.
I'm glad we were able to arrange the missing parts promptly, and we hope you've now been able to complete your summerhouse. Thank you again for your feedback.
Avoid at all costs.
Quoted 15 days delivery time, now after a very late unexplained cancellation at 1 days notice and many attempts to secure a revised delivery date I am now being told late August/ early September. Ridiculous, how is this acceptable?
28 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologise for the delay to your order and understand how frustrating this has been, particularly following the late cancellation of your original delivery.
Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen production delay, we have been unable to provide a confirmed delivery date, and we're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience while we've worked to obtain the latest information.
If you decide not to wait, as your order was placed through Costco, any cancellation would need to be arranged directly with them. We genuinely regret that we've fallen short of your expectations and apologise again for the disappointment caused.
Well packaged kit with good…
Well packaged kit with good instructions for putting it together. Very happy with the result.
28 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're delighted to hear your kit arrived well packaged, that you found the instructions easy to follow, and most importantly, that you're very happy with the finished result.
Thank you for choosing Shire, and we hope you enjoy your new building for many years to come.
I had a query about replacing my door…
I had a query about replacing my door on my Shire summerhouse. The customer service team were very helpful and quick in responding and resolved my query and costing to replace. Thank you great service.
28 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're delighted to hear that our customer service team was able to help with your enquiry and provide a quick resolution.
Your kind feedback is greatly appreciated, and we'll be sure to pass your comments on to the team.
Thank you for choosing Shire, and we hope you continue to enjoy your summerhouse.
Wood is bent loads of wood spilt…
Wood is bent loads of wood spilt instructions are horrendous deliveru was a nightmare definitely not worth the money its worth 700 tops the craftsmanship is horrendous the beading for the windows doesn't fit leaves massive gaps the felt is rubbish had to buy my own the roof and veranda have 2 lots of instructions you get to the veranda which is the last bit only to tell you that the roof goes on a completely different way than what the building instructions say to be fair I rather it be taken down and refunded but that wont happen or at least money knocked off but that won't happen either I wouldnt but from here again and wouldnt ask anyone to either they seriously need to sort the instructions out and the craftsmanship and offer installation
20 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience.
We take feedback regarding the quality of our products and assembly instructions seriously. Having reviewed our records, we can see that aside from a request for the assembly instructions on 16 June, we did not receive any further communication or photographs showing the issues described in your review. Without this information, we have been unable to investigate the concerns raised or offer an appropriate resolution.
We also appreciate your comments regarding the assembly instructions. The verandah kit is supplied with supplementary instructions that are intended to be used alongside the main building instructions. These supplementary instructions modify specific stages of the roof installation to accommodate the verandah extension, while the remainder of the roof assembly continues to follow the main instruction manual. We recognise that referring between the two sets of instructions may not be as straightforward as intended, and we will ensure your feedback is shared with our product team for review.
If you are experiencing damaged or defective components, please contact our Customer Service team with photographs of the affected parts and the relevant part numbers from the assembly instructions. Once we have this information, we will be happy to review your case and provide assistance where appropriate.
We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue to improve both our products and our customer experience.
A bit late with delivery
A bit late with delivery, but when it came we were absolutly amazed how good it was. We had a problem with one piece but was soon resolved by speaking to shire, the part was delivered in two days
27 June 2026
Reply from Shire Garden Buildings
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're sorry that your delivery took a little longer than expected, but we're delighted to hear you were so pleased with the quality of your building once it arrived.
We're also pleased that we were able to resolve the issue with the replacement part quickly and get it to you within a couple of days.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you enjoy your new building for many years to come.
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.