Hello all,

I am planning on building a basic 10'x12' garden shed and am wondering how the quality and price of shed kits compares to building from scratch. I have been looking at the Liberty kit from Handy Home Products that is $947 without the floor and $1,346 with the floor (minus roof shingles and paint). This seems pretty steep, but I have no idea how much the raw materials would be if building from scratch. Can anyone offer any comments? Thanks in advance.

I aplogize if this is the wrong forum for this question, but I didn't know where else to put it.

Rick

 

I guess you ARE in the right forum -- I couldn't find a better one to send this to either!!

Both of my sheds are built on concrete slabs. My thought, when planning them, was 'why spend $1000 or $1500 on a shed and put it on a wood floor that was only going to last 10 or 12 years tops?' And, the $400 price difference will more than pay for the slab. (My 'new' shed is 8 years old, the 'old' one is 13.)

Kits are fine. There is a local lumber yard here that sells and delivers the kits, and they can make just about any change that you want. There are also a couple of companies here that will put together any shed you can imagine. They go up in a weekend without a problem.

Personally, I just figured out what I needed my 2 sheds to do, got out the graph paper and scaled them out, bought the material and built them. They were each a few hundred dollars cheaper than what a kit would of been, and they each took a couple of weekends.

 

do either of you have anywhere to find plans for building a shed scottydogs

 

scottydogs,

You could search any of the 'sponsered links' on the right side of this page, search online for 'storage shed plans', &/or check books from publishers like Ortho and Sunset. (You'll find them at any big box store.) You might also check with a local lumberyard. They might have plans, books, or even a design center that can assist you.

 

Rick,

I have been involved in a few shed building projects myself. I would say that you could get the shed done and built yourself for that much money, plus you'll have the fun of building it. I'd trust my own construction well over a pre-fab quicky as well. Plus the floor is always a good idea.

Green

 

I could not help respond to this post. After looking at the available kits in my area I ended up building my 8x12 1 1/2 story shed myself. After 4 full weekends and ulimately blowing my budget at almost $2000. Altough a little more than basic, I am really happy with my decision to build from scratch. A picture of the shed is at the following link. cheers

http://members.shaw.ca/przemek123/shed.jpg

 

What a really nice shed! I could live there. Around here right now (eastern long island), that would sell for about 465,000.00 unless it was on the water in which case it would sell for about twice that....

 

When I built mine 86 lumber sold a kit that was just the framing. You could by from an assortment of widths and make it as long as you like. Price was comparable to buying the wood and putting it together from scratch.

 

If you're willing to go with a 10 x 10, HD has a HHP kit that is usually on display at most stores that goes for $750 including the floor. I forget the model name....Princeton maybe? Thats the one I was looking at, but have since decided to build my own on a concrete slab so it will last.

 

Great looking shed. I would say that it is a little more than basic. I love the brick. Makes it look so great. The surrounding area looks pretty fantastic too. What a great layout. How much land do you have on your homesite?

Great inspiration!! Brad

 

Thanks, the brick was a last minute decision. I had a little luck finding some really cheap surplus brick at our local habitat for humanity retail store. Considering it was my first masonary wall it came out quite reasonable Our homestead sits on 1/2 an acre.

 

I'm hoping to build mine soon, if the funds allow it.

I am planning on a 12x12 just for the fact of little to no waste in materials.

My plan is to build it on those concrete pier blocks that have the cross section to lay the floor trusses in. I am gonna use PT 2x8's for the trusses then PT 3/4" plywood on that. It will have dirt underneath, but won't contact the dirt (wood won't). I am figuring that it will last doing it that way...am I correct? It'll have 2x4 framing, OSB sheathing, asphalt shingles and vinyl siding to match the house. I am also gonna put a shelf/loft over the back 4' for storage of smaller/ little use items. It will have 8' high walls and about a 4/12 pitch roof. I'm also planning on possible one small window and either a store bought double door, or making a double door myself.

I would put it on concrete except where I am gonna put it there is no way to get a concrete truck back there, and I don't wanna take it load by load by wheelbarrow.

 

Firescooby,

BE CAREFUL!!

Most codes allow you to build a shed at 120 sq. ft. or less without a permit. Once you go to 121 or more sq. ft., a permit is required. 12X12 is 144 sq. ft. How much is that extra 24 sq. ft. really worth??

10X12 means virtually no waste as well. You are thinking about 4X8 sheet goods for the siding. 2-1/2 sheets sides one of the 10 foot sides. The leftover 1/2 sheet and 2 more sheets sides the other. The 12 ft. sides need 3 sheets each.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll definately check about local codes. My neighbor across the street built a 12x12 last year and he said the only stipulation he was given for the building he built was that it would only have to be permitted if he put it on a concrete pad.

 

Different jurisdictions, different codes, and different ways that they are enforced. And codes change from one year to the next.

I NEVER rely one what somebody else says they were told in repects to bldg. codes. I go get it sraight from the bldg. dept. and make notes about WHO told me WHAT.

Check BEFORE you build.

 

Your shed is awesome!! How much did this cost you and do you have plans?

 

Diablo1pitbull,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the shed forum.

If you look at the date of this thread, it's almost 2 years old. I doubt that Firescooby is still around to answer your question. Start a new thread and ask away with whatever questions you have. We'll help you out.

 

I checked, he hasn't been here in more than a year and a half.

 

Wow. Nice looking shed. No permit needed due to the height? Either way very nice.

 

Empires,

Welcome to the forums.

As to whether a permit is required for a shed or not usually isn't determined by its height. Most jurisdictions allow a shed of less than 120 sq. ft. to be built without a permit. A few require a permit if it is pemanently attached to the ground (on a slab or has concrete footings).

The only way to know whether a permit is needed for a shed in your back yard is to check with your local bldg. dept. Nobody else can give you the correct answer.