Building a Shed: Starting Off Right

A shed can add value to your home as well as add valuable storage space, but they are very expensive to buy. The answer is to build your own shed. This may seem very intimidating, but with the right instruction, almost anyone could do it.

The first step is to choose a shed plan. This is a very important step towards successfully building your own shed. You want to choose a shed plan that comes with very detailed drawings as well as a materials list. This will save you a lot of time and frustration, and will make life much easier through this process. There are a lot of free shed plans out there, but beware because if they are free they may not be the quality that you need to learn how to do this properly.

When you are looking at shed plans, try to find one that will meet all of your storage needs, but will also be visually appealing. You and your neighbors will be looking at your new shed for a long time, so it may as well be worth looking at. You will also want a shed plan that will allow you to store what you have now plus what you may have in the future. If there is any question on size go a little bigger; you won't be sorry like you will if you build one to small. If you will be storing any large items in your shed, make sure you get a shed plan with a large enough door. There would be nothing worse than building a shed for your riding lawnmower and finding that it won't fit through the door.

Many sheds don't have windows on them, but I would highly recommend having at least one. Having a window makes it much easier to see inside your shed and also allows for ventilation in the summer. You can add a flower box on your window to add some charm to an otherwise boring shed.

When you have chosen your shed plan go out to the spot you want to build the shed and mark it out on the ground. Make sure that you will have plenty of room all the way around. Make sure also that the door will be in a good location. If you do not know what the set-backs are (the distance from property lines that you can build a shed) call your county building department to find out. I had to move a shed once, call first, it's much easier.

When you are sure that everything will work where you have it laid out, Follow the instructions that come with your shed plan. When you are done, you will have something to be truly proud of.