What's In This Article
Shed houses can be built for less than $10,000.
A lot of people love the idea of having a place to go during the summertime, but most of us don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that we’re going to use only a few weeks out of the year, and many people are investing time and money into creating an actual livable space form their sheds.
So, what are the options and benefits?
Flexibility
Shed houses are usually made out of wood. You can get them in different sizes and shapes.
There are many different types of sheds available, including metal, plastic, fiberglass, and wooden. Sheds can be either single-story or multi-story depending on your requirements.
Less Time/Less Money
A great place to start saving money is by building a tiny home. You’ll get a lot of value out of this tiny house.
It can sometimes take less than a week to build, and you won’t need much space to store it.
This tiny house is perfect for people who work a full-time job but also want to spend some time relaxing or doing other things other than building a house.
Fewer Skills Required
A cheap DIY shed is a great idea not just for saving money but also if you’re not a skilled builder. All you’ll need are some basic tools and a small amount of time to create this kind of home.
Sheds are typically made out of wood or metal, but many people choose to use plastic because it lasts longer and costs less.
You can choose what size you have in your shed home. Some are big enough for a car, while others are smaller than a typical garage.
With all of the DIY advice online, you can start building your own shed home by following these sites’ advice. They offer lots of tips and ideas for building a beautiful and functional shed.
Fewer Legalities
You won’t pay any tax on sheds as they aren’t considered real estate. However, Sheds should always be built according to local codes.
Occasionally You may need to get a permit if you want to put up a shed.
Check out your local laws first! However, generally, there aren’t many legal requirements you need to comply with.
Extra Living Space
Shed houses are great for adding extra storage space to your home. These structures are easy to install and inexpensive to purchase.
They can serve a multitude of different purposes such as extra storage through to a whole new functional room.
Pole Barn Houses
Pole barns are becoming more popular every day. They’re affordable because they use mostly prefabricated materials.
They’re also easy to assemble and inexpensive to maintain. There are many different types of pole barns available, including shome, barndominiums and pole barns.
A shome is a prefabricated steel house that’s built on a concrete foundation. Barndominiums are a combination of a pole barn and a single-family home.
They combine the benefits of both. A pole barn is a building made up of two or three walls and an open roof that houses farm equipment, livestock, hay storage and other agricultural items.
Pole barn houses are usually built by contractors who specialize in these types of structures.
These buildings are very popular because they provide ample storage space and also offer a lot of privacy.
Pole barn houses come with many different options and sizes.
They can be made out of wood or steel, but most people choose to use metal as it lasts longer and costs less than wood.
The price of these buildings depends on what size you need and how much storage space you require.
Costs
Pole barns are cheaper to build than stick-built homes. You can expect to pay about $150-$200 per square foot for a shell-only frame.
This price includes the foundation, roof, walls, and doors. If you want to add insulation or finish materials, you’ll need to factor those into your total cost.
Pole barn homes are usually built by the company themselves. They also handle everything for you, including foundation, insulation, and roofing.
This means that you won’t need to hire contractors or install anything yourself.
However, these types of homes tend to cost more than regular shed homes. Interior siding costs more than exterior siding.
Depending upon which option you choose, the cost can run anywhere from $6,000-$12,500. You will also need to factor in costs form:
- Plumbers: A starting point for installing plumbing would be $10,000. Costs could fluctuate both ways.
- Site Preparation: Clearing and Grading the home site can cost anywhere from $3,000-$4,000 or more.
- Septic System: The cost to install a septic system can range from $3-9,500.
- Electricity Installation: Installing electricity will depend on the size of your house, the type of lights, and the installation of a pole and line.
- Interior finishes (drywall, cabinetry, countertops, paint and flooring) depend on what type of material you choose. You should get options (low, mid and high) to help give an idea of what could fit within your budget.
- Permit costs can run up to 1,000 dollars or more. Your GC can assist you in getting estimates for your bank or loan institution. If you choose to do it yourself, you’ll be responsible for getting pricing for your own interior finishes.
All of these costs are in addition to the cost of the kit itself and are to be added to your budget.
It’s also important to note that they aren’t exact costs. Some kits or building packages are simpler or more complicated than others.
A large design requires a lot of materials and time to make. The more complicated the design, the more expensive it is to make.
Summary Of Pole Barn Costs
A rough estimate of how much a typical 40×60 pole barn costs is $40,000-$50,000. This includes the building shell (the walls), finishing (the roofing) and concrete foundation.
There will be additional costs associated with site preparation, permits and any other extra features.
Your costs will go up if you choose to install in-floor heating within the flooring.
You’ll need to pay more for special overhead doors, unique building features, extensive site prep, and finishing the interior of your building.
Converting Shed To House
If you already have a shed or want to purchase one and are considering converting the structure into a proper living space and home where do you start?
Material
As we’ve seen, sheds can be made out of many different types of materials. Wood is the most common choice. Plastic is also an option.
Metal is another popular choice. A shed made out of cement is also possible. You should consider your budget when choosing materials.
Steel is more expensive than other options, but it will last much longer.
Timber sheds are structures made from wood that help protect your house from rain and other elements.
However, timber sheds require regular upkeep and are prone to damage from pests, fire, and water seepage.
Sheds can be used as houses if they are made correctly. You should think about what kind of house you want before building it.
If you want to add some extra features to your shed, then you should definitely go for wooden sheds as they will give you an opportunity to do so.
You can customize them according to your requirements.
Sheds are a great choice when you’re building your own home. You can make them portable, but they won’t be as sturdy as those built with cement.
Your shed should last a long time if you take care of it well.
Connecting water
Water is the easiest utility to install. It doesn’t require any permits, but it does require some money. Landscape watering costs more than regular water. You may need to pay for inspection in some areas.
Connecting power
You need to install electrical service before building your shed. You’re most likely only going to need a 50 or 100 amp electrical service compared to a normal house is usually a 200-amp electrical service.
That should be completely fine for your needs in this tiny space.
Sewer
Toilet installation is probably the most tricky part of shed installation. You need to research and decide to know what kind of toilet you want before you decide to buy it.
A septic tank makes sense but is expensive to install and maintain.
Composting toilets cost less to install than septic tanks, but they’re still pretty expensive.
Port-a-potties are cheap but can be dirty and smelly so it depends on how much you really want to embrace the ‘great outdoors’.
Windows
Sheds should have at least one window facing south. Southerly exposure helps to cool down the interior temperature of the shed, making it more comfortable to work and live in.
Double-pane windows are the most energy-efficient option for installing a window air conditioner.
Customization
A shed house can be painted in different colors. The windows can also brighten up the shed-house. Windows can be added to the walls or even on the roof to let in light.
Windows would let you enjoy fresh air inside your shed-house, allowing you to hear sounds from outdoors.
Lighting systems, air conditioners, an electric oven, a cozy couch, and furniture can be installed. Pre-loved stuff can be found online or at different stores, saving you money.
The living space needs some decoration to make the place more appealing and lively.
Plants can be an excellent addition to indoor spaces. Fancy lights, paintings on walls, and light decorations can enhance the beauty of your room.
Vinyl is available in different patterns and textures, which can add to the overall experience.
Installations of bookshelves or wall organizers can help you keep your things organized.
A TV would be an excellent choice for entertainment during your free time.
Solar panels work by absorbing energy from sunlight. This energy can be stored in batteries or other forms of storage.
These batteries could then be used to charge electronics such as phones, computers, etc.
Costs Of Conversion
As we’ve established, shed houses are cheaper than brick-built homes but there will still be some hefty costs.
You can use pre-built sheds or you can build them yourself, but if you decide to delegate the task of converting your shed then you will need to hire a laborer.
Pre-built sheds are already constructed and ready to go but can be expensive if you buy them off the shelf.
However, you could customize them to fit your needs which adds more flexibility to your choices.
Shed Kits
You can get a simple 10×10 foot shed for around $900. There are other options available which are more expensive but offer better features and quality.
For example, you could buy a 20×20 foot shed for around $2,000, or a 30×30 foot shed for around $3,500.
Electrical materials cost around $150 to install a line from your house 50 feet away to a shed. You could hire an electrician to do the job for around $200.
However, if you want to add a wet bar or a bathroom, plumbing costs start at $1,000. Local laws are important.
You should make sure you know what kind of permits you need before starting anything.
Consider Climate
You should insulate your shed with fiberglass or foam. Make sure you get a pitched roof. Know that most sheds are designed for warmer climates.
So if your shed is in a very cold climate, you may want to ask someone who has done a similar conversion and discuss how to build a shed that keeps you warm.
Summary
As we have seen how much your shed house will cost depends on many variables but there are loads of options available giving you a plethora of choices.
The internet is full of interesting stories and experiences of people that have converted their sheds into livable spaces.
use this information to help you decide exactly what you want from your shed.
