How to check a garden-shed supplier in Ireland

1Search CRO CORE

The Companies Registration Office entity-search guidance explains that CORE can be used to search data held on Irish companies, limited partnerships and business names. Match the record to the name and number on the quote. A CRO entry confirms a registration record; it does not certify workmanship, solvency, product quality or current trading activity.

2Confirm who supplies each part

• Who manufactures or imports the shed?
• Who takes the deposit and issues the invoice?
• Who delivers, prepares the base and installs the structure?
• Who handles defects, snagging and warranty claims?
• Which work is subcontracted, and who remains responsible under your contract?

3Send a fixed specification

Give every business the same dimensions, material, floor, roof, finish, base, anchoring, access, delivery and installation requirements. Ask for substitutions and exclusions to be marked clearly. This prevents a cheaper but incomplete scope from appearing to be a like-for-like alternative.

4Check references carefully

Ask for recent examples of the same material and installation type, not only photographs selected for marketing. With the customer's permission, ask what was delivered, whether the date and total matched the written agreement, how snagging was handled and what maintenance has been required. A reference is evidence from that customer, not a guarantee of your outcome.

5Read the contract and deposit terms

The CCPC deposit guidance recommends confirming the exact product or service, deposit amount, balance date and delivery or completion date. Record cancellation terms, refund conditions and any non-refundable amount. Keep a receipt.

6Check goods and service obligations

The CCPC buying-goods guidance says goods must match the sales contract and that consumers are entitled to clear product and total-price information. Where installation is included, also read the CCPC service guidance.

7Treat warranty headlines as a prompt to read

Ask for the complete wording before purchase. Check the provider, covered parts, labour, transport, exclusions, maintenance conditions and claim process. The CCPC warranty guidance explains that a guarantee or warranty does not replace statutory consumer rights.

Red flags that require another check

• The quote has no legal entity, address, VAT position or clear product description.
• A planning outcome, delivery date or product performance is promised without written conditions.
• The business will not itemise the base, floor, delivery or installation scope.
• Deposit terms are only verbal or payment is requested to an unrelated name.
• References cannot be tied to a comparable completed project.
• The written contract attempts to replace consumer rights with a store policy.

A neutral comparison record

For each candidate, record the CRO name, quote date, exact specification, total including VAT, excluded work, deposit, delivery terms, installation responsibility, warranty wording and reference checks. Do not label a supplier “best” or “verified” merely because one field is present.

Directory policy: This page intentionally does not publish provider rankings, live availability, prices, stock, awards or endorsements. It gives consumers a repeatable verification method using authoritative public routes.