What You Need About Building Your Own Shed
Most homeowners have more “stuff’ than they have space to store it.
When the basement, attic and garage have gotten too cluttered, the next logical step is to construct an outdoor shed. Building your own shed can be a great way to end up with a structure that matches your needs and your aesthetics, but there are some things you need to know about building a shed before you jump in with both feet.
You May Be Subject To Building Restrictions
Building your own shed can be complicated by local building codes, zoning ordinances and homeowners’ association rules. Before spending the money on a new shed, be sure to contact your municipality to find out if you must secure building permits before you begin construction. It can be useful to conduct this research before you even begin shopping for a shed so that you have all the information you need regarding any size or structural restrictions. In some municipalities, securing a building permit is as simple as filling out a form and paying a fee, but in other locations, there may be a significant number of administrative hoops to jump through.
The Floor Must Be Constructed First
It can be easy to forget that the floor of a shed must be constructed before you build the actual shed itself. Plan the construction of the floor before you schedule a weekend to build your structure. Depending upon your intended use for the shed and the grade of the property, the floor will either be cement or wood. If the shed will be used for light storage of household items, a wood floor is typically sufficient. However, if the shed will house heavy machinery, a cement floor is the best option.
Before choosing a flooring material, you must also consider the grade of the property and the type of soil in which the building will be sitting on. Unleveled ground may require excavation or pillars for support. When it comes to cement flooring, it is often wise to hire a contractor to do the work to ensure that the floor is both level and sturdy. Again, remember to secure any necessary permits before you break ground.
Prepare in Advance for Building Your Own Shed
The key to building an outdoor shed efficiently is to plan ahead. Study the instruction manual that comes with your shed kit (in some cases, the manual may be available online for you to study before you take delivery of the shed). Be sure that you have gathered al of the necessary materials needed to build the shed. They may vary from kit to kit, but in general you will need:
- Safety glasses
- Cordless drill
- Circular saw
- Hammer
- Ladder
- Level
- Tape measure
- Plum line
Building a shed is not a single-person job, even for the handiest of homeowners, even if the instructions say you can do it yourself. Two people makes the job go much more quickly and ensures better safety. With two or three people on the job, a shed can be built in one weekend.
If you are considering building your own shed, we invite you to browse The ShedKitStore’s DIY shed kits online today. If you have any questions about the process of constructing a shed or choosing the right shed for your property, you can always call our team directly at 1-800-245-1577 and we can help you choose a shed kit that will meet your needs and your budget.
