The Learning Hub

Our smaller cabins are an ancillary building and are a great option for short-term accommodation, for use as a sleepout or a guest stay. If you are looking for a compliant rental accommodation, we do suggest looking at our residential compliant cabins and granny flat selection which can be available with an optional kitchen and bathroom right from the start.

The solid timber construction offers a level of natural wall insulation which can be higher than a standard timber frame. However additional insulation can be added depending on your intended use. We can advise on the best options for adding insulation to your SheShed cabin. For increased insulation you can easily add insulation to the under floor and ceiling as an optional extra when ordering your kitset.

Typically our cabins under 30m2 do not require a consent as they are an ancillary building designed to be used as a shed, cabin or sleepout when it is constructed in the backyard of a property with a residential dwelling. Depending on the size of the cabin and your property and local council regulations sometimes you may require consent. We can guide you through what may be required and if you are unsure, we recommend checking with your local council.

Our cabins from 5m² – 29m² are designed and engineered as a single-storey class 2 detached building that is less than 30m². The supplied kitset is an ancillary structure that is not automatically consented as a dwelling - a home to live in. They are designed to be used as a garden shed, cabin, home office, hobby space or sleepout in connection with a dwelling. It is perfect for use as a separate extension for additional space without plumbing or cooking.
If you are looking for a cabin to be used as a home to live in, we do suggest looking at our residentially compliant luxury cabins and granny flat selection available with an optional kitchen and bathroom right from the start.

Yes, plumbing can be added to your cabin if you’re planning to use the cabin space for a bathroom, laundry or a home business or hobby space that requires it, (example: hair salon or art / craft studio with a sink for washing ). This will need to be completed by a licensed plumber.
When adding plumbing to your cabin you may require either council consent, or to request an exemption from consent requirements, depending on your setup and location. We recommend checking with your local council early in the planning process to ensure everything is compliant. Any additional materials if required are to be supplied by your builder.

We offer a smaller range of luxury living cabins that are compliant as a small standalone dwelling. These are MBIE consent approved and the designs also meet with the New Zealand granny flat exemption. We recommend checking with your local council or getting professional advice to confirm eligibility for your property, and we’re also happy to help guide you toward options that could meet these requirements.

A timber kitset cabin needs as much regular maintenance as any other timber building. This mainly means keeping the exterior *clean, managing ventilation and moisture, maintaining protective coatings and carrying out an annual inspection. Regular maintenance such as painting and filling/sealing any gaps or cracks in the timber will help protect your cabin and keep it looking great for years to come.

*If you let dirt, moss, lichen, leaves or other debris build up on the roof or sides of your cabin it can trap water, holding moisture against the timber for prolonged periods. - Prolonged moisture contact can cause the protective barrier of paint to break down faster, leading to moisture ingress into the timber, which over time will start to deteriorate it.

Yes, many customers choose to connect power to their SheShed cabin. This will need to be completed by qualified professionals during or after your cabin build.