Sleepouts NZ - Kitset Sheds NZ Ltd

Sleepouts NZ – Kitset Studios & Accommodation

The cost of building additional space or adding an extension to your house can be expensive. Installing a sleepout or studio in the backyard can be a much simpler option if you don’t overcomplicate things.

Avoid adding cooking facilities or sanitary fixtures such as a toilet, shower, or running water, and just install power. You’ll end up with a very practical addition to your home at a far more cost-effective price.

Flexible Design Options

Custom sizes to suit your site and intended use
Single or multiple doors and access points
Roller doors, PA doors, windows and other options
Open, enclosed or partially enclosed areas
Storage, workshop, vehicle or mixed-use layouts
Custom internal layouts and building configurations
Roof and wall options to suit the building design
Site and location-specific engineering

Habitable Space Regulations

If a building is intended for sleeping, working, or hobbies, it is considered habitable space. Even if it’s under 30m² and doesn’t require building consent, it still needs to comply with the NZ Building Code.

This means meeting standards for structural performance, insulation, moisture control, and ventilation. Some smaller projects can be built yourself, but everything must comply to be legal.

There are a few key things to be aware of. All electrical work must be carried out by a registered electrician. Adding plumbing or cooking facilities such as a sink a toilet or stove will require full building consent. Any space used for sleeping must also have smoke alarms installed.

Getting this right from the start ensures the building is safe compliant and fit for purpose.

Working From Home – Studios and Offices

If you work from home and need a studio or office call us to discuss your requirements. We have a few options that may work for you. Kitset Sheds NZ Ltd builds strong sleepouts and studios that provide practical space for work or hobbies.

Some examples of sleepouts we have built

Check out some of the quality sleepouts we have supplied local property owners around the country.

Large shed with Accommodation

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Small shed with Sleepout

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Garage with Sleepout

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Photos and Details of our system

The average shed company designs buildings based on standard measurements simply rounded to the meter, then builders trim the excess cladding to suit. We do it way better – we base each dimension on the total cover of the cladding sheets

Why?

A wall 12.3 m wide instead of 12.0 m really makes a difference. Everything lines up, flashings fit properly, reducing waste and saving time.

More close up photos

Get a sleepout price

Want us to price up a shed with a sleepout? Option 1: Get ballpark pricing. Option 2: Use our 3D shed designer to create your own custom layout, then hit send to get a firm price.

Get sleepout pricing

Cladding sheets and flashing alignment on a NZ made shed

Why Choose Us

We do things differently — and it shows in every building we supply.

New Zealand Steel

Locally sourced New Zealand Steel throughout — dependable quality, accountable supply chain, built to last.

Site Specific Engineering

Engineered for your exact site conditions — not a generic solution. Built right, from the ground up.

20 Years Experience

Over 20 years of expertise goes into every barn we design and build, from pitch angles to the finishing details.

COLORSTEEL® Cladding

Genuine COLORSTEEL® cladding, engineered for the NZ climate. Strong, weathertight, and available in a full range of colours.

Sleepout Design & Construction

Sleepouts require careful design, quality materials, and proper construction to ensure comfort and durability.

Interior of completed steel shed showing open span, roller doors, and clean structural layout

Colour Chart

NZ Steels Colour steel range.

Whether it’s in the country, in a commercial or residential area, the wide selection colours provided by NZ steel from their Colorsteel Maxam range allows you to choose the most suitable combination of colors and shades for your individual environment.

Colour Selection Tool

COLORSTEEL colour chart showing available colours

Explore more garage options

We offer a variety of garage types and dimensions to suit different needs and purposes, view all garage options.

Find Answers to the Most Common Questions Here

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll get back to you quickly.

Can a shed be used as a sleepout?

Yes, a shed can be designed or adapted for use as a sleepout, studio, or office. However, once it’s used for sleeping, it becomes habitable space and needs to meet higher building standards, including insulation, lining, and compliance with the Building Code.

Do sleepouts need building consent in NZ?

In many cases, yes. Sleepouts that include plumbing, cooking facilities, or full accommodation will require building consent. Smaller sleepouts under 30m² may not need consent, but they still need to be built to comply with the Building Code.

Dream it. Design it. Build it.

Bring your ideas to life with our easy-to-use 3D shed designer

Start Designing View Guide

What They Say About Kitset Sheds

Don’t just take it from us. Here is what some of our happy clients have to say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Leyton Mercer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the initial enquiry to production of the shed Paul was brilliant to deal with . His knowledge and anytime availability was amazing . As first time shed builders we were green and Paul stepped us  through every phase including advice on Council consent .
We now have a finished product that has exceeded our expectations .
Would highly recommend Kitset Sheds NZ Ltd and if needed he will be the first we will call.
Leyton and Sondra from Clevedon , Auckland
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Hannah Lane 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’re incredibly grateful to Kitset Sheds Limited for their generous support of local performing arts in Tauranga. Their sponsorship of our production of The Places You’ll Go made a huge difference and helped bring this show to life for our community.

It’s fantastic to see a local business not only supporting the arts financially but also getting involved in community events and backing creative opportunities for young performers. Their generosity, encouragement, and belief in what we do has been amazing.

Thank you, Kitset Sheds Limited, for investing in the arts and helping make performing opportunities possible for our community. Your support truly means a lot!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Deb Tarr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul Wiiliams always had a smiling face with great work ethic.  Our 10 year old shed has doubled in value.  We now live in the legal cottage attached to the garaging. But previously it was rented out. Best thing we ever did.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Caleb McQuoid 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kitset sheds supplied the kitset shed, and the quality of the materials and design was excellent. Everything arrived as expected and was well organized, the kit arrived clearly labeled, and easy to work with, making the building process efficient and hassle free.

The finished shed is solid, practical and exactly what the client was after. Meraki Builders completed the installation and construction of the shed and the quality of the shed made it straightforward to achieve a great final result.

We here at Meraki Builders Ltd highly recommend Kitset sheds Limited for anyone looking for a reliable, well-designed kitset shed solution.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Russell Williams 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I built a kitset shed in 2025 (4 bays, 16.25m x 8.9m) and it was a total blast! The kit instructions were excellent, and anything I didn't fully understand I was able to phone Paul and get the answer quickly. The shed is now complete and being set up as an engineering workshop. I can't wait to get some projects going. I highly recommend Kitset Sheds Ltd and owner Paul Williams (no relation to me) for their helpfulness, excellent communication, speedy delivery, excellent product and overall ease to deal with.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jason McMillan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul’s tips and advice was priceless.
Paul is always available and keen to help.
Everything was organized and efficient.