A residential shed, also called a shed home, shouse, or house shed, is a steel-framed building designed and engineered as a permanent dwelling. It looks like a shed on the outside. Inside, it’s a fully certified Class 1A home with bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living areas built to the National Construction Code. They’re faster to build, more affordable than traditional brick-and-tile, and engineered to handle Australian conditions from cyclone zones to bushfire-prone land.
What Makes a Shed “Residential”?
The difference between a standard shed and a residential shed comes down to one thing: building classification.
Class 10A, Standard Shed
- Non-habitable structure
- Garages, carports, workshops, storage
- Cannot be used as a dwelling
- No plumbing, insulation, or habitation requirements
- Simpler approvals, lower engineering standard
Class 1A, Residential Shed Home
- Classified as a permanent dwelling
- Bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, living areas
- Legally livable, council approved for habitation
- Full insulation, plumbing, electrical, NatHERS rated
- Full engineering and construction drawings
Every Shed Homes design is engineered as Class 1A: a genuine residential dwelling. Not a shed conversion. Not a granny flat. A purpose-built home.
Read our full guide to Class 1A vs Class 10A →
House Sheds, Sheds and Homes: Two Different Things
People search for this under a lot of names: house sheds, sheds and homes, residential sheds, shouses. They usually mean one of two buildings, and it pays to know which one you want before you start.
A shed you live in
This is what we supply. A home on a steel frame, designed and certified as a Class 1A dwelling, with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and living areas. Many of our customers put a garage, workshop or stable under the same roof, so the shed and the home are one building. Browse the designs or see plans and prices.
A shed next to your house
A garage, workshop, carport or storage shed beside your home is a Class 10A building. You cannot live in it, and it is engineered and approved to a different standard. If that is what you are after, our sister site Shedz supplies Class 10A sheds Australia wide.
Why Build a Residential Shed?
Less Than a Traditional Build
Steel-framed residential sheds use portal frame construction, fewer materials, faster erection, less labour. Kit prices start from $82,900, with an owner-builder total from $315K, compared to $495K for a comparable brick-and-tile home of the same size.
For comparison, a traditional turnkey build costs approximately $2,500/m². A 200 m² traditional home: $500,000. A 300 m² traditional home: $750,000. Our owner-builders save between 36% and 42%.
We supply the kit. The build is yours or your builder’s, and those figures are a guide only.
Faster to Build
A residential shed reaches lockup in weeks, not months. The steel frame goes up fast, the COLORBOND® cladding follows immediately, and you’re weather-tight before most traditional builds have their first inspection.
Built for Australian Conditions
Every kit is engineered to your specific site, wind region, climate zone, soil classification, and bushfire rating. Steel doesn’t warp, rot, or attract termites. COLORBOND® cladding handles everything from tropical humidity to southern frosts.
Owner-Builder Friendly
Residential sheds are ideal for owner-builders. You manage the project, engage subcontractors, and control your costs. We supply the kit and the engineering, and the Complete Kit adds the drawings.
Fully Customisable
Every residential shed is designed to your specifications. Choose from 7 pre-designed models or start from a blank gable or skillion base in our free 3D designer. Set your room layout, dimensions, window positions, and door placements.
Delivered Nationwide
We deliver residential shed kits to every state and territory in Australia, QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, TAS, NT, and ACT. Each kit is custom-engineered for your specific location.
Residential Shed Designs
We offer 7 residential shed designs from 2 to 5 bedrooms, plus fully custom designs from our gable and skillion base models.
How It Works
Choose or Design
Pick from 7 models or design your own in our free 3D designer. Submit your design with your site address for a builder review and quotation.
Engineering & Drawings
We produce full engineering, architectural drawings, construction drawings, slab design, and NatHERS energy certification, everything your council needs for approval.
Kit Delivery
Your kit is manufactured and delivered to your site anywhere in Australia. Steel frame, COLORBOND® cladding, windows, insulation, everything you need to reach lockup.
You Build It
As an owner-builder, you manage the build and engage your own trades, such as a local steel-frame shed builder working as a subcontractor to you.
Ready to Build Your Residential Shed Home?
Design your home in 3D, or submit an enquiry with your site address for a detailed quote.
