Shed Repairs and Bespoke Garden Buildings in West Kent and East Sussex
I'm John Coupe, and I repair, refurbish and build timber sheds and garden buildings around Tunbridge Wells and across nearby parts of West Kent and East Sussex.
I work with my son Simon, combining an engineering approach with practical workshop and site experience. Whether your shed has a leaking roof, a rotten floor or simply no longer meets your needs, we can help you decide what to do next.
How Can We Help?
Repair or Refurbish a Tired Shed
Leaking roof, rotten floor, failed cladding or doors and windows no longer working properly? We repair individual faults and carry out coordinated refurbishments where several parts of a building have deteriorated.
That may include roof repairs and EPDM reroofing; replacement floors, joists and bearers; structural and cladding repairs; or purpose-made doors and windows. We also look for the cause of the problem so the repair has a worthwhile long-term future.
Explore shed repair and refurbishment
Repair a Log Cabin or Summerhouse
We undertake specialist repairs to lower walls, logs, corners, floors, doors, windows and distinctive roof finishes.
Build a Shed That Fits
We design and build bespoke sheds and garden buildings around your space, ground conditions and intended use—not a standard factory size.
Explore bespoke and replacement sheds
Repair, Refurbish or Replace?
I enjoy the detective work involved in repairing sheds. A tired-looking building may still have a sound structure, while a relatively tidy shed can be hiding problems beneath the floor or behind the cladding.
We look at the condition of the main structure, why it has deteriorated, how you want to use it and what will provide sensible long-term value.
Sometimes a focused repair is enough. Sometimes several related problems make a substantial refurbishment worthwhile. Occasionally replacement is the more honest and economical recommendation.
We do not assume that every old shed should be saved or that every damaged building should be replaced. The aim is to retain what is sound, correct the cause of the problem and recommend work that gives the building a worthwhile future.
The People Behind the Work
Secrets of Shed Building is run by me, John Coupe, with my son Simon.
My background is in civil and structural engineering. I started the Secrets of Shed Building website in 2008 and later co-authored The Haynes Shed Manual, published in 2018.
Simon plays an important role in workshop preparation and work on site. Because we are a small business, you deal directly with the people assessing, planning and carrying out your project.
More about John, Simon and Secrets of Shed Building
Where We Work
We normally work within approximately 15-20 miles of Tunbridge Wells, covering nearby parts of West Kent, East Sussex and South London.
This includes Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Wadhurst, Crowborough, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook and we sometimes even come up to Orpington.
We occasionally travel further for larger or particularly specialist projects.
Tell Us About Your Shed
You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself.
Send us your project postcode, approximate dimensions, a short description and a few photographs. We will review the information and let you know the most useful next step.
Shed Advice and Products
The website also contains practical information for people building or maintaining their own sheds, together with a developing range of shed hardware and products.
Browse shed hardware and products
Prefer to Just Keep in Touch?
You can also join Shed Building Monthly for updates, ideas, and useful shed tips.
- A Firewood Storage Shed - For Lovely Log Fires
- Building a firewood storage shed - read these tips first.
- Shed Blog
- How to build or choose a garden building that will both meet your needs and look beautiful
- A Free Shed For Shed Week
- Download a free shed at secrets of shed building
- How to build a shed and answers to all your shed building questions.
- Do you need to know 'How to build a shed' ? Or have other shed building questions - ask them here.
- Which type of shed siding is perfect for you?
- Shed siding - Wood, metal or vinyl - which is right for you?
- Types Of Garden Shed And Materials Of Construction
- Discussion of what to look for when deciding on your garden shed
- Choosing Shed Accessories To Make Your Shed Suit You
- Help with choosing shed accessories to enable you to get the most out of your shed
- Ideas for shed designs from around the world
- See a range of shed designs to help you decide what shed style is best for you
- Garden Shed Plans: Ten Things Every Shed Plan Should Include
- Tips on how to choose garden shed plans appropriate to your garden and skill level.
- A Rubbermaid Vertical Storage Shed Could Solve Your Storage Problems
- The Rubbermaid vertical storage shed is the perfect size for small spaces when extra storage is needed
- The Rubbermaid Outdoor Storage Shed is a Classic Design
- The Rubbermaid Outdoor Storage Shed - Its strengths, weaknesses, where and when to use them
- How To Choose Quality Shed Building Materials
- Learn how to select durable Shed Building Materials for all parts of your shed
- Your Shed Maintenance Guide - How To Keep Your Shed In Tip Top Shape and How To Rescue It If You Don't!
- A guide to the many aspects of shed maintenance and fixing problems before they become too serious
- The Shed Hardware Store for difficult to find items that are 'essential' for your shed
- Source of useful shed hardware that can be difficult to find elswhere
- Shed Moisture Control Explained - How to Reduce Humidity and Stop Damp in a Wooden Shed
- Struggling with damp in a wooden shed? This moisture control guide explains how to fix moisture pathways, reduce humidity, ventilate without losing heat, and maintain a dry shed atmosphere.
Keep in touch with our monthly newsletter
Shed Building Monthly