The short answer
Removing a garden shed in the UK typically costs between around £150 and £600, with most standard timber sheds falling in the £200 to £450 range. A small timber shed sits at the lower end because it can be dismantled by hand and the waste is light, while a large workshop shed, a metal shed, or one with a concrete base to break out costs more. The price usually covers dismantling, loading and disposal of the waste. The main cost drivers are size and material, whether the base or slab is removed, and access to the garden. One thing changes the job significantly: an older shed with an asbestos cement roof, which must be removed and disposed of separately under the correct controls rather than skipped with the timber. Figures here are indicative ranges only.
Shed removal is among the smaller demolition jobs, but the price still varies with size, material and what happens to the base. The sections below set out the typical ranges and the things that change them.
Typical UK ranges
- Small timber shed~£150–£350
- Large timber workshop~£350–£600
- Metal/concrete shed~£300–£600
- Base/slab removal (extra)~£150–£500
- Asbestos roofExtra, priced separately
What drives the cost of shed removal
Sheds are usually dismantled rather than demolished, so the work is mostly labour plus the cost of taking the waste away. A small timber shed comes apart quickly and produces light, easy-to-handle material, which is why it sits at the bottom of the range. Larger sheds, summerhouses and workshops take longer and generate more waste. Metal sheds need cutting or unbolting, and concrete sectional sheds, like prefab garages, come apart in heavy panels that cost more to dispose of.
The other variables are the base and access. Many sheds sit on a timber frame, paving slabs or a concrete pad. Removing a concrete base adds breaking-out labour and heavy disposal, so it is often priced as an extra. A shed at the bottom of a long, narrow garden where everything must be barrowed to the road costs more to clear than one beside a driveway.
| Shed type | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small timber shed | £150–£350 | Dismantled by hand, light waste |
| Large timber workshop | £350–£600 | More material and labour |
| Metal shed | £300–£500 | Cut or unbolted |
| Concrete sectional shed | £350–£600 | Heavy panels to dispose of |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote removal cost guides.
Asbestos roofs on older sheds
A point often missed with sheds is the roof. Older sheds and outbuildings, especially those built or re-roofed before the 1990s, sometimes have corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets. These look like ordinary corrugated roofing but cannot be broken up and skipped with the timber. Under HSE guidance, asbestos cement is generally lower-risk non-licensed work, but it must still be removed intact where possible, kept damp to suppress dust, double-wrapped and taken to a licensed disposal site.
If your shed has a grey corrugated cement roof and you are unsure what it is, do not break or drill it. The material can be tested, or a contractor experienced in this work can advise. Where asbestos is present, it is removed first as a separate task and adds to the overall cost.
Ways to keep the cost down
For a straightforward timber shed, there are sensible ways to reduce the price. Clearing the shed of contents beforehand saves the contractor time. If you are happy to keep the base for a replacement, leaving the slab in place avoids the breaking-out cost. Some timber and metal can be reused or recycled rather than tipped, which can lower disposal charges. And if access is good, a grab lorry or a single skip may handle the whole load economically.
Because sheds vary so much in size, material and base, and because an asbestos roof changes the job entirely, the reliable way to budget is to have the structure assessed for material and access, and to confirm whether the base and any asbestos are in scope. That gives a far more accurate figure than a national average for such a small and variable job.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to dismantle a shed than demolish it?
For most timber and metal sheds, dismantling is the normal approach and there is little distinction. The structure comes apart by hand or with basic tools, and the main cost is labour plus disposal of the waste.
Does shed removal include the concrete base?
Often not. A concrete or paved base is usually priced separately because breaking it out adds labour and heavy disposal. If you plan to reuse the base, leaving it in place keeps the cost lower.
What if my shed has an asbestos roof?
Older grey corrugated cement roofs may contain asbestos and cannot be skipped with the timber. They must be removed intact under the correct controls and taken to a licensed site, which is priced separately and adds to the total.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific building. They are guidance, not a quotation.