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Original poster

How can we get a shed delivered when we live in a terraced house?

27 replies

strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 12:59

We bought a bike shed (not a large one, fairly small). My dh ordered it so I don’t know all the details but I know they didn’t ask anything about access. It’s one you have to build once you get it so I assumed it could be delivered through our front door as we live in a terraced house. But the guy delivering said he couldn’t, the package was too large, so I had to just send him away Hmm I just find it bizarre that the company didn’t find out about access - loads of people live in terraced houses, it’s hardly unusual, you’d think they’d find out before wasting their time and ours! Or maybe my dh should’ve done more to find out. I’m just wondering - how then do people buy sheds who live in terraced houses?? The websites I’ve looked on don’t mention anything about delivery and I tried googling it in general and came up with nothing.

OP posts:
Userplusnumbers · 08/03/2019 13:01

Well normally in a terrace there's still external access - like an alley or a path that runs along the whole terrace - don't you have that?

Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 13:02

No, we don’t.

OP posts:
Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 13:03

We live in London and in the area we’re in at least, most people don’t have that...

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greenelephantscarf · 08/03/2019 13:05

look for flat pack.
I know it's a pain. we got refused delivery as our garden access is down a flight of stairs through the house...

CarrieBlu · 08/03/2019 13:06

You’re lucky they didn’t just dump it outside your front door, I know companies who have done that. My understanding is that they expect to deliver either directly into a front or back garden, with easy and direct access. If it requires manoeuvring then it’s up to you to ensure you have a couple of burly people on hand ready to haul it through your house.

OKBobble · 08/03/2019 13:07

You found it bizarre they didn't enquire about access whereas I found it bizarre knowing there were access issues your DH ordered without contacting the company direct first.

Jaxhog · 08/03/2019 13:07

Tbh, I find it bizarre that your DH didn't check before ordering, if your access is limited! Some companies will specify that they only deliver 'big stuff' to the front door or path. Most will just assume this.

If your access is limited, it's a good idea to check first.

EatToTheBeet · 08/03/2019 13:07

If they didn’t ask about access I’d assume they weren’t going to try too hard to get it there.

So I would have been ready by clearing the way as much as humanly possible and with scissors or a knife to open the box if necessary and I would have said ‘would you mind just carrying thesebig part through for me and I’ll deal with the small bits later. I usually give them an ice-lolly after any carrying.

I’ve lived in some awkward houses and I’ve found people are always willing to help if you have a plan.

MyEyesAreNotDeceivingMe · 08/03/2019 13:08

You might be able to unpackage it at the front door next time? Though the carrier will probably devolve itself of any liability at that point.

Do you have any space at the front or are you straight on to the pavement?

Chickenvindasaag · 08/03/2019 13:09

We're 4 terraced houses in a row with a semi detached on each end, similar happened and we took out fence panels to get the shed to on of the middle houses. Is this possible? Also London.

BlankTimes · 08/03/2019 13:25

Contact the company and see exactly what's in the large pack.

If nothing's too big to go through the front door, house and back door, accept delivery, one opens the package beside the front door, passes one bit at a time to person 2 who carries it through the house and gives it to person 3 who stores it outside.

Then all 3 of you assemble it.

Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 14:33

I did mention that my dh should’ve found out more. - to the people saying that. That’s mainly where the problem lies, obviously. He isn’t the most practical person and neither am I but I would usually look into that kind of thing.
When I’ve ordered large furniture in the past for example they’ve always specified exactly what access they need, complete with asking you to check the measurements of your doorway.
I’ve never ordered anything larger than a piece of furniture before so I just thought the shed company would’be been clear what kind of access they needed but I guess I’m wrong.
The fence panel thing wouldn’t work as it’s far more than 4 houses on either side, but thanks.
I had cleared my doorway and my house, expecting some very large pieces but the guy delivering it - I’m pretty sure he would not have been up for dismantling the package and taking various bits out, he just wanted to leave it and go. I was happy to cooperate with whatever.
Anyway in future I’ll phone the company ahead of ordering to find out exactly what we need to do, and maybe order from a better company too as this one seems a bit rubbish.
Thanks everyone for your replies

OP posts:
FriarTuck · 08/03/2019 14:39

I’m pretty sure he would not have been up for dismantling the package and taking various bits out, he just wanted to leave it and go
It's not his job to dismantle it though, his job is just to deliver. And he'll have a certain number of deliveries to get through - he'll not have time to stop and help everybody.
You should have just accepted it and then taken it apart on your own. You probably could have got it all indoors easily given it's just a bike shed and not a massive thing.

babysharkah · 08/03/2019 14:48

We've got three bike sheds in a terrace (husband obsessed) they have never come assembled!

Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 14:51

friartuck
I’m at home with a toddler and if there were any pieces too heavy for me to lift inside by myself, I’d have been leaving them outside for anyone to steal - so that’s why I didn’t accept delivery.
Especially as no I don’t think the delivery man should be helping me when that’s not been agreed beforehand.
Like I said, I’ll just need to make sure we just phone the company and make proper arrangements next time.

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Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 14:53

Baby shark - of course it would not arrive assembled...
i think I expected a series of packages kind of like when you buy Ikea wardrobe and it’s like 10 separate packages

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RiverTam · 08/03/2019 14:56

I'm in a terrace with no access other than through the house - totally normal where I am (also London).

I'm afraid I do think the onus is on you to find this kind of thing out and make suitable arrangements. It's not the delivery guy's fault that it doesn't fit through your door and you're not in a position to move it into the back by yourself straight away.

Lesson learned!

FriarTuck · 08/03/2019 14:57

i think I expected a series of packages kind of like when you buy Ikea wardrobe and it’s like 10 separate packages
Most things don't arrive like that though & you'd be daft to assume it if you know you'll be on your own. It's fine that you didn't accept delivery but you seem to be blaming everyone but you & your DH when actually the onus was on you to ensure that you could get it to your back garden.

Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 14:59

Yes lesson learned.
No I don’t see it as the delivery man’s fault at all.
Like I said I thought it would arrive in several packages all of which would fit through the door and the delivery guy and I would carry them into the house.
My dh wanted to sort it and I think he did it in too much of a hurry without checking things out.

OP posts:
Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 15:01

Friar tuck I’ve said several times my dh should’ve checked it out beforehand! And that next time we will do that! So obviously I’m saying we did it wrong?!
Who exactly do you think I’m blaming?

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Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 15:01

And thanks for calling me daft.
I’m having a shit day as it is, and people like you are great at encouragement.

OP posts:
ThereIsIron · 08/03/2019 15:02

How do you put your bins out?

Original poster
strawberryredhead · 08/03/2019 15:03

The bins are in our small front garden. Too small for a bike shed by the way.
Anyway like I said - thank you for replies. Problem solved.
I’m away to play with my son

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RiverTam · 08/03/2019 15:05

Iron we keep our general rubbish bin and food bin in the front garden. Recycling boxes and large garden waste bin in the back garden and we carry them/drag them through the house to the front on collection day - luckily the garden one we only need to do about once every 6 weeks, if that.

Bikes also get wheeled through the house/kept in the house.

PlatypusPie · 08/03/2019 15:13

We live in a London terrace - there is a back access gate but we have blocked it over the years, and the alley is blocked anyway , to deter the thieving rats (human variety) who found it a handy access point. We had a specialist bike shed (metal, takes 4 at a pinch) delivered to the front door and there was no problem about them delivering it there and them carrying it in to the hallway, which was where my DH wanted it until he moved it to assemble in the back garden - had to prepare a base first.