backyard sheds

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
Going to need to get a shed for the new house, the garage is too small and attached.
Don't really plan on it being for work or anything, just storing the yard equipment (mowers, blowers, whackers, shovels), tools that wouldn't go in the garage shop, flamables, etc.

What do I need to know/look out for? Pre-built (drop-in) or kit?
 
I got the Bunce Built with the roll-up front door, very pleased with it.
 
Just stay away from the ones like they sell at Lowe's. The package comes from a company called Heartland Industries. The side sheeting and some of the other materials are not what they should be. I used to contract for Lowe's and probably built 12 or more of them. For what little they pay the subs to build them at your house some of the workmanship can be on the poor side also. The company pays guys more for repairs than to actually build the building.
 
If you are like me you will use it more than you plan to, so go ahead and bury a wire out there and put in a light switch.
 
How big are you talkin? I built my 8x12 for about 1500. I also have a full treated lumber floor with 2x8 band and 2x6 joists and 4x4 runners everything is on 16" centers. Wall height is 7' with a loft.
 
Get some plans and build your own. I got a set of plans that is a two story 10X20 on the bottom and 10 on the top in the middle to look like a barn. then the sides kick out as well about mid way down down the second story for storage but the upstairs is the kiddies playhouse. I just need the money to buy the material LOL. You can get a good set of plan for less than $25 bucks and build your own. Most of the prebuilt crap use 1/4 plywood for the walls. Heel who needs to lock it when you can just pusg through the wall and tear it down LOL. Make sure you put the base on "skids" (normally 4X4's) to make it moveable and keep it of the ground. I was going to go with 4X4's every 4 ft and 5/8 tongue and groove flooring but planned on maybe working on small cars or doing brakes minor short term vehicle maintenance until my garage is rebuilt. I have to give up my 2-1/2 car garage to add living space for the family of 6. Hell most of my vehicle cant squeeze into my garage anyway LOL.

Whatever option you choose do your research and remeber you get what you pay for. I think building it by yourself (few buddies and beer) over a weekend or two is the cheapest and best choice.

http://pages.areaguides.com/ubuild/FortPlayHouse.htm
This was the one I liked closed in in and the bottom being 20 ft long instead of 10
 
I built my 10x16 Dutch Barn clone for $2k. Like any project, it took longer than expected. I had the BOM, ordered it at Home Depot they delivered on a Saturday. By the end of the second weekend, it was 90% done, but the details (doors, windows, trim, ramp, loft/workbench, paint) dragged on for over a month.

Then less than a year later, we foudn out twins were on the way, so we moved to a bigger house. I paid some guy to pick it up and move it. This guy was pretty impressed, offered me a job on the spot.

There's lot of time and labor in it, I'm not sure its really worth it. I got some satisfaction (and frustration!) out of DIY, but had time to waste. I'm thinking about getting another one, and been looking at the better builders, not Lowes/HD. Get the thicker flooring and side sheeting, my spreadsheet shows I used 5/8" plywood flooring and 19/32" siding...I'm not sure if thats right on the siding though.
 
gmcjimmy88 said:
Get some plans and build your own. I got a set of plans that is a two story 10X20 on the bottom and 10 on the top in the middle to look like a barn. then the sides kick out as well about mid way down down the second story for storage but the upstairs is the kiddies playhouse. I just need the money to buy the material LOL. You can get a good set of plan for less than $25 bucks and build your own. Most of the prebuilt crap use 1/4 plywood for the walls. Heel who needs to lock it when you can just pusg through the wall and tear it down LOL. Make sure you put the base on "skids" (normally 4X4's) to make it moveable and keep it of the ground. I was going to go with 4X4's every 4 ft and 5/8 tongue and groove flooring but planned on maybe working on small cars or doing brakes minor short term vehicle maintenance until my garage is rebuilt. I have to give up my 2-1/2 car garage to add living space for the family of 6. Hell most of my vehicle cant squeeze into my garage anyway LOL.
Whatever option you choose do your research and remeber you get what you pay for. I think building it by yourself (few buddies and beer) over a weekend or two is the cheapest and best choice.
http://pages.areaguides.com/ubuild/FortPlayHouse.htm
This was the one I liked closed in in and the bottom being 20 ft long instead of 10
Click to expand...

I love that 2 story fort/shed!

x2 on the runners on bottom. I put mine on runners, but apparently there's some industry standard...my random placement did not work, so the guy who moved it had to put his own on anyways.
 
RenegadeT said:
I love that 2 story fort/shed!
x2 on the runners on bottom. I put mine on runners, but apparently there's some industry standard...my random placement did not work, so the guy who moved it had to put his own on anyways.
Click to expand...


I planned on running the runners freont to rear but leaving the option to put a few under those length wise so it will fit on my trailer if I move. With both the 4X4's it will be just above my wheels (may have to remove the fenders). Height might be an issue but I thought I would actually build the second story as a seperate unit and then decided against that since I can't lift it on my own LOL.

The roof itself will be a cap and bolted down so it can be removed to save height for moving.
 
I have found out that it is cheaper to have a decent storage building co. come in and do it in a day. The price is very comparable to what you will have in just materials. The floor is the most important. MAKE SURE they use 3/4 ply wood and press for the joists to be on 12" centers. The wall studs can be on 24" centers, and definatly run power.
 
I've been contemplating this same thing. and I'd love to build what all these guys are talking about. But to be honest, I have neither the time nor the $2K wallet to do it. If you just want something to put the mower and yard crap in and you KNOW you'll use it for only that, I was pretty damn impressed by the Plastic one they had at Sam's Club for $600. I think it was 8x10 and made for Mowers, blowers, rakes, shovels.. just general yard stuff. and for $600???

But then i'd also really like something more to be honest so I have yet to do anything.
 
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