What's In This Article
Sheds are great for lots of different reasons and can serve many purposes. You can customize them any way you want and there are many funky designs to choose from.
You can also get a prefabricated model if you’re willing to pay more money.
Building your own shed is generally a lot cheaper than buying a prefabricated shed, however, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options.
Buying From A Company
Pre-built sheds save time and money. They’re delivered fully assembled and ready to go.
There are no power tools required and the delivery people make sure the shed is level on its foundations.
Pre-built sheds are available online. You don’t need to worry about where you should place windows, the size of the floor, and other details.
In addition, the warranty protects you if there is a problem with the shed you bought. When you build your own, fixing any problems is your responsibility.
The downside to this option obviously is the price! If you want a good quality shed that’s easy to assemble then you must be willing to pay a substantial amount of money.
When buying a shed from a company you often have the option to customize your design and you’ll have no building headache.
Figuring out how to build a backyard shed from scratch is enough to stress out—even for the most intrepid do-it-yourselfers.
Instead of trying to figure out what materials to use or where to place your shed or what steps to start you can get the experts to do everything for you.
You won’t have to waste a minute worrying about the project or stop halfway through because you made mistakes.
Hiring A Contractor
Sheds can be built quickly and cheaply if you know what you’re doing, however if you lack the required skill, why not hire a contractor who can make your shed unique?
Custom sheds built by independent traders are often cheaper than prefab ones.
You can choose to get your shed built from any kind of material. Most people prefer metal sheds, but there are plenty of other options available. There are also lots of styles available.
The contractor can talk over the options with you as well as give you an idea of costs. He or she should provide the necessary materials and oversee the construction process.
Build Your Own
Storage sheds are great if you want something custom made but don’t want to spend a lot of money. You can make them with wood, metal, or even concrete.
Resin sheds are a great option because they are lightweight and cost less than other materials. Plastic sheds are another good choice. These are also lightweight and cheap.
Before you start building anything, check if you need a permit first. You may be required to get permission before starting construction.
In some places, you’ll need to follow certain guidelines when constructing something on your land.
Sizes
Sheds come in different styles and sizes which will affect the total building cost.
Simple sheds cost around $100-$1000. Storage sheds cost about $300-$3000 and open stalls cost around $1500-$10000.
You’ll want to make sure the shed will have a solid foundation and a finished interior. Sheds should be built on level ground.
A backyard shed must sit on flat land and If there are any obstacles such as trees or shrubbery, the land needs to be cleared out before building the shed.
A storage shed will cost less if it doesn’t require any finishing work.
Cost Per Square Foot
Sheds come in many different sizes and shapes. Their prices vary greatly based on the size, shape, and type of material used.
A price per square foot of $50-$100 is typical for a professional-built shed. An insulated shed could cost up to $200 per square foot.
Some kits and DIY builds cost about $25 a square foot. You can purchase all the materials you need, and the kit comes with everything you need to build your project.
What other costs should you factor in?
Wood
If you choose to use real wood for your shed you should know that there has been an increase in the cost of wood over the past fifteen years.
Softwood prices increased by nearly 60 per cent while hardwood prices rose by about 30 per cent.
This means that you’ll need to pay more money to buy your timber. You could also try using cheaper materials such as plywood or particle board instead of solid wood.
Fixings
When you buy a shed from a retailer you get everything you need included in the price but when building your own you need to factor in costs just as fixings and felt.
Remember you get what you pay for so don’t be tempted to skimp on the little things as this can prove to be counterproductive.
Galvanized steel is strong and durable and nails and screws are available from hardware stores. Hinges can also be made out of wood or plastic.
Fixings and hinges should cost around $20 all in for an average size shed. Roofing felt should be included in the price of any shed you buy.
This is because it is an essential component of any shed you make yourself. A 10-meter piece of roofing felt costs around $15.
Tools
If you are new to the world of DIY, you may not have all the tools needed so purchasing them or hiring them will need to be factored into overall costs.
Here are some of the tools you’ll need to construct your shed:
- jigsaw – to cut the wood into pieces.
- drop saw to cut down the sides of the pieces.
- Circular saw – to make cuts across the top of the pieces.
- Drill – to make holes.
- Impact driver – to drive screws.
- Pencil
- Set square
- Tape measure
- Straight edge
- Hammer and chisel
- Spirit level
- Basic staple gun
You could consider renting tools instead of buying them.
Safety is a concern when using new tools and investing in quality tools is an excellent idea if you want to make use of the tools in the future.
Do some online research and look at some reviews to make sure you choose the right brand!
Conclusion
Building a shed may take some time especially if you are not used to this type of work. You need to make sure you get everything prepared before you start building.
You could watch some handy YouTube videos to help you along.
You also need to be careful about what materials you use because some things may be expensive or difficult to replace if you damage them.
Plans
You may want to buy plans that include the specifications needed to finish your project. Your shed should cost less than $200.
Most sheds are made from 2x4s covered with OSB (oriented strand board). Shingles cover roofs while 2x6s make up floors.
A woodshed is a simple structure made out of wood and is the most common type.
It shouldn’t take too much effort to find a plan that suits what you need and this will act as a guide throughout your project.
In Summary
So, is it cheaper to build your own shed?
Yes, it certainly is a cheaper option and you get the satisfaction of knowing you put your precious shed together yourself.
However, if time is an issue and building just isn’t your thing then expect to pay more money for an easier solution.
Pre-built sheds are great because you don’t have to worry about being in control of your budget.
However, if you want to change anything after purchasing it, you won’t be able to. You also won’t be able to adjust the size or design of the shed.
