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DIY Shed Kits.

abhijitz

abhijitz

Radiuz
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Location
East Bay, California
Moto(s)
2 wheels ..
Name
Abhijit
I need to build a large shed at my backyard, possibly 12x12. Looking at some DIY kits at HomeDepot. Anyone has experience/suggestion on builds and kits?... Price is not an issue.
 
If price is not an issue, buy from tuffshed, have them build it for you and make sure you have lots of ventilation including windows and skylights for free cooling and light. Plastic sheds warp out of shape in a few years and have little or no vents or light. Sheet metal sheds get very hot but hold up in the long term fairly well. I have had many different size and type sheds. If you value what will be stored in them, don't want you or your stuff cooked, go with a wood shed with a real roof, vents, etc. Building almost any shed is a two person job, plastic sheds are quickest, metal have 10,000 screws and wood is alot of heavy lifting on top of time consuming and expensive. Put it on a concrete slab or build a proper subfloor raised off the ground. Sometimes paving stones will work. As usual, you get what you pay for. What are you putting in it? How will it hold up to high temps and moist air exposure? Sorry for the rant, thats my $2 and 2¢.
 
Not planning to buy rubber or metal sheds. Wood only.

will be storking mostly garden tools, picks, shovels, pressure washer, lawn mower, bunch of boxes (x-mas decorations), (maybe 2 small dirt bikes).

tuffshed & shed_shop is expensive, I can spend 1-1.5K not 4K ... (currently looking at HandyMade Majestic 8x12 @ HD)

David919 said:
If price is not an issue, buy from tuffshed, have them build it for you and make sure you have lots of ventilation including windows and skylights for free cooling and light. Plastic sheds warp out of shape in a few years and have little or no vents or light. Sheet metal sheds get very hot but hold up in the long term fairly well. I have had many different size and type sheds. If you value what will be stored in them, don't want you or your stuff cooked, go with a wood shed with a real roof, vents, etc. Building almost any shed is a two person job, plastic sheds are quickest, metal have 10,000 screws and wood is alot of heavy lifting on top of time consuming and expensive. Put it on a concrete slab or build a proper subfloor raised off the ground. Sometimes paving stones will work. As usual, you get what you pay for. What are you putting in it? How will it hold up to high temps and moist air exposure? Sorry for the rant, thats my $2 and 2¢.
Click to expand...
 
12X12 is probably not code. Here in Santa Rosa you are allowed 120 sq' measured at the drip line and 4' setback from fence. My neighbor got busted and had to move his. Ifn it matters to ya.
 
Thanks for the info. I will lookup on the code. I do see either 12x10 or 12x8

dravnx said:
12X12 is probably not code. Here in Santa Rosa you are allowed 120 sq' measured at the drip line and 4' setback from fence. My neighbor got busted and had to move his. Ifn it matters to ya.
Click to expand...
 
Costco had some pretty nice plastic sheds for under a grand last time I was up there.
 
Look on YouTube for reviews of HomeDepot / Lowes sheds. You can buy them as kits, where the TuffShed or whatever company will drop a large pile of lumber bits and pieces in your driveway. A common complaint is that the instructions are scanty and they are significantly underbuilt. 16" centers don't exist, neither do subfloors or foundations, roofing, or paint. If you go with a kit, be prepared to rebuild walls, flooring, etc.
 
If you're putting together a wood kit already, you can probably build your own for not much more time / effort and get exactly what you want. I spent around $2k building mine but its a 22x12 with 16" centers and dual 3x6 sliding windows and a custom ramp door for putting the bikes inside easily. Even if I could have found a kit that had all that, I would imagine it easily being $4-5k.
 
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I have one similar to this:

http://www.greenhouseoutlet.com/duramax-shed-10x12-del-mar.php

When I bought my house there was already a 10'x10' concrete pad. I poured additional concrete to accommodate the larger size I bought and then my brother and I put the shed together in one weekend. It has been fantastic for over 12 years. I think it was about $1,100 at the time.










Normally hard to do, but here is an action shot of the shed:




Dog
 
Can't imagine the feeling of pride seeing your very own design build take shape.


26t00wgh.jpg


a229c9958c7a0b5c5d638cadf0b895c8.jpeg
 
I must have that. Right now I have a fabric enclosure. Need upgrade
 
^ :laughing

After I finished my shed .. the family came over for a party ( unrelated to shed ) and gave some complements. I told them to save it another 10-15 yrs .. give it to me then if the shed is still hasn't self imploded.

To be fair though, depending on one's building skillz, a 'kit' is just as likely to self implode.
 
Well, not sure if i can build one (specifically from the design/structural perspective). I know i can do the kit myself (as things are pre-cut & pre-measured).

Anyone has pointers/diagrams/ or willing to give a 1:1 lecture/classroom? :cool
 
Shop for some shed plans, they come with a materials list and instructions. There are plenty of them on the net. I built one some 15 years ago and it has been very functional since.
 
tankerman said:
Shop for some shed plans, they come with a materials list and instructions. There are plenty of them on the net. I built one some 15 years ago and it has been very functional since.
Click to expand...

was thinking the same. i know i saw a book at lowe's recently that was kind of a "build your own freestanding garage", and it had all the measurements and everything.

i'd imagine they'd carry something similar for sheds.
 
Thanks for the idea tankerman. I spent some time on the internet yesterday and came across some good shed plans. Also, looks like i would still need to let the city know that i am building a shed < 120sqft.

I will post which idea/site/plan i am choosing.
 
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