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Most anyone can learn how to build a shed and you’re probably not the exception. We are going to teach you howto build a shed but before you can get started, there are several issues that you’ll need to consider:
- What are you planning to do with the shed?
- Are you building a wood shed? What size shed will you need?
- Where do you plan to place the shed?
- Does the shed need to be weatherproofed or insulated?
- Are you planning to wire it for electricity?
- Will you need a Building Permit?
- Do you have a set of plans or do you even need plans?
We’ll address these questions first; and then we’ll teach you how to build a shed.
What are you planning to do with the shed? If you’re thinking, “what’s the difference, a shed is a shed?” Well, a small shed tucked away in the corner of your yard to store your mower and edger is quite a bit different from a large garden office with plenty of windows to enjoy the view of your swimming pool and surrounding acres. The point is don’t start building a shed until after you’ve determined the specific uses for the shed. Are you planning to store the lawn mower and outdoor tools in the shed or do you need to store boxes that could be damaged or destroyed if they get damp? You might need to store both.
Thinking about that leads you directly into the second issue: What size must it be? It’s much better to anticipate and build for your needs than to build and then try to figure out what you can and cannot do with it. Also, be sure to take into consideration that the standard size for plywood, sheathing and decking materials is four feet wide by eight feet long. So, you can always save money by sizing your shed’s length and width dimensions in increments of four feet. For example, your shed could have outside walls that are eight feet tall and have a footprint that is eight feet by twelve feet, or even twelve feet by sixteen feet – both make use of four-foot wide materials, so you will be able to install full sheets of material on the outside and minimize cutting and waste.
Of course, the location of the shed can be important. If you’re just planning to use it to store yard tools, then you’ll probably want to place the shed out of the way, possibly back in the corner of your lot. On the other hand, if you are planning to use it as a workshop, you’re much more likely to want to build it next to the driveway to allow you to move materials in and out easily.
Do you need to weatherproof or insulate the shed? That also depends upon the intended use of the shed, as well as how severe your climate gets during the extreme temperatures of the year. If all you’re storing are things that aren’t affected by heart and cold, you may not need to insulate it at all. But if you’re using it for your outdoor power tools, you’ll probably want to at least be sure it’s sufficiently weatherproofed to keep water from getting onto and rusting your equipment.
Are you planning to wire for electricity? I always appreciate an overhead light and a few outlets. But, if you do intend for your shed to have electricity, your local building code may have requirements you may not think of on your own and, if you don’t have a lot of experience with residential electricity wiring and connections, it certainly can be dangerous to try to “do it all yourself.” So I highly recommend that you contract with a locally licensed electrician. When you do so, talk with the electrician about the details and you’re likely to find out there may be some of the prep work you can do yourself to reduce what the electrician has to charge you.
Do you need a Building Permit? You should contact your city or county Building Inspections office to determine the local requirements for a shed. Many municipalities require you to submit a set of plans, specifications, and a list of any contractors that you plan to use. And some cities’ building codes may actually require you to hire licensed contractors – such as electricians – for certain specific parts of the job.
Do you have a set of plans for your shed? A plan should consist of more than just a design for building a wood shed. It certainly starts with the design, but it also should include a list of all of the materials and permits necessary for the work, a list of the contractors (if any) you’ll have to hire for specific parts of the work, as well as the cost for each of these. The prices for each of these added together will give you your budget. Many times, you can take a well-dimensioned set of design plans for your shed to your local lumber yard and they will determine precisely what materials you need and give you with a materials list that will include their price for each item, all at no cost to you. (You also can get the lumber yard to recommend a framing contractor, just in case you decide that you need someone to build it for you.)
Do you really need a design plan for your shed? I’ve been building custom homes for over twenty-five years and I wouldn’t even think about starting to build a shed without a good design plan. Can you build a shed without a design plan? Sure you can, but if you do, odds are that you’ll end up spending much more time and money than if you had started with and followed a good design plan. What if you use a contractor, but don’t have a plan? Well, assuming the contractor will even take the job, more than likely you’ll learn that you thought you told him one thing, he built something different, and you’re not at all satisfied. The only way you can be sure that the two of you are talking about the same project is for you have a design plan that you’ve both agreed upon. Believe me, plans are cheap, particularly when compared with the bad things that can happen when you don’t have and use one.
Below, you will find a FREE 12 X 8 Shed Plan for building a wood shed, Material List, Pictures, and Detailed Instructions to guide you. Just click the link below to view or download your FREE plan. After reviewing the free shed plan and detailed instructions, I’m confident that you’ll be ready to start your own Shed project. But, access to lots of shed plans isn’t all we have for you; this website has much more information about building sheds that I’m sure you’ll find helpful.
***CLICK HERE***FREE SHED PLAN***DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO BUILD A SHED***
***CLICK HERE***FOR DETAILS*** HOW TO BUILD A SHED***INSTRUCTIONS***