How To Build A Shed

For the novice builder it is very important that you have everything in place before you start any project. Of course the best way to do this is to have an action plan, or plan of attack. So you finally made the decision to build a shed or outdoor storage area. Great! But hold on, before we can put your action plan into place, let’s start by listing a series of questions you will need answered before you can figure out how to build a shed and begin construction. Whether or not your a professional builder or a novice, it’s still extremely important that you have all your ducks in a row, gather your thoughts, plans, tools, and needed equipment before you begin any project.  Let’s begin by thinking about and answering the following questions that will enable us to get on the right track from the onset.

1.  Have we identified the main purpose of the shed or structure?

Maybe the first thought was to store simple gardening equipment and tools. Before we over simplify things, let’s step back and try and be forward thinkers. Once the structure is finished and available for use, is it probable we will get full family participation such as a great new place for sporting equipment from the kids and a fabulous idea for moving the holiday decorations from attic or garage. (of course to make room for more stuff) Do yourself a favor and establish a purpose, make provision for an expansion of the purpose and build a structure to suit the purpose. Don’t make the mistake of building first and asking questions later!

2.  How big should the structure be?

Now that you have established the main purpose and use for the shed, you can start to figure out the size that will accommodate your needs. Keep the future in mind. For example, if will truly be used mainly for outdoor gardening items, realize that you will be adding to your collection and most likely be expanding to power tools if you haven’t already done so. This line of forward thinking can help prevent an expansion project later

3.  Location, Location, Location – Where will it be?

It may seem like every step is important, and they are, but pay extra attention to this one.  A very crucial part of this project is determining where the best place on your property will be. The most obvious location may not be the best. You must think about accessibility, interference with landscaping, vegetable gardens or blocking a great view. It may pay to consider others as well. You don’t want the awkward conversation with a neighbor about how they’re upset because your “awesome shed” blocked their view of whatever… There may have to be compromises in this area, but you must get it right, because moving it later is not really an option – not a good one anyway.

4. Is there a requirement for insulation, waterproofing or an open structure?

Consider your location and climate. Do you have all four seasons to contend with? Will you have to deal with the weight of snow or possibly humidity most of the year? Are there animal considerations?

5. How about local permitting? What are the local building codes and do you have to get the plans approved prior to construction?

Please don’t find out you needed to seek approval from your town or city after the project is finished.  Just on a power trip, they will most likely tell you to take it down which will get ugly…  Don’t be the “we had to build it twice” guy because of a simple oversight of submitting the plans for approval.

6. How much do you want to spend?

Please be careful – nothing ever comes in on budget, make provision for over-runs, mis-calculations and the un-expected. One of the mistakes many people make is to set a budget, then go shopping for the plan you like and finally the materials. Try reverse engineering this process. Pick a universal plan you like, figure the material cost, then decide if it falls within your budget or what your willing to spend.  After this phase, you can adjust accordingly based on your findings.

7. Where is the best place to get ideas and plans for how to build a shed?

It pays to check out the local hardware store, or “big box” store for ideas and general information. But when you get down to the facts, what better situation than to get all the ideas you can possible think of in one place, look through them, think about the possibilities, talk things over with your family and set out on the journey. Here is a place that provides ideas on what you can accomplish and how to build a shed. Use the resources that are available and DO NOT cut corners. Good Luck!

We’ll – we love to accumulate “STUFF” which is one of the reasons why you’re here and looking at how to build a shed for the back yard.  Some will agree the reason for researching the shed project is because you ran out of room in the garage and can hardly get the cars in any longer.  Others have take on this project idea for much more justifiable reasons such as:

• To have your own green house
• Have a place for the pets, kids….or both
• Keep non traditional animals
• So you can get that riding lawn equipment you’ve always wanted
• Serve as an annex to the cellar
• Have a place to work on an antique car, boat, motorcycle or other cool toy
• Organize and play with your collection of [you have to fill in this blank]
• Store trash
• Have a cabana, or changing space for the pool
• Play house for the kids
• To house all the sports equipment (and get more)
• Have your own private work area to fix or construct whatever you feel like while listening to the music        of your choice – for once
• Here’s a good one – Do the project to bond and spend some real quality family time with your kid(s) or spouse.  I love this reason!

What ever your reasoning is for taking on this project, I’m sure you’ll do a great job.  Planning is the most important thing to consider.  Remember, we typically don’t plan to fail, but sometimes we fail to plan our project properly which can lead to mistakes, increase costs and a whole lot of frustration.

Make sure you have a set of plans that will out line the project perfectly before you start.  This is where we come in, not only can we provide exact shed plans to follow, but we have many different designs and ideas that you may not have thought of….yet.  After all, you do want you neighbors to be jealous don’t you?  We have 12,000 different variations and plans you can peruse through.