She has signed the shed approval.....

[DKerns]

My wife has agreed to me getting a shed. We have a nice two car "drive under" that has been over run by my vintage garden tractor collection. I also tinker on cars and wood working projects. However, to do either, it requires me to move a lot of the tractors and kids bikes/scooters out to do so. And to add more light to this, we moved to Ga. a few years back and in doing so, I lost my detached 2 car with a loft that was FULL, plus I had access to store items in my grandfathers shop that was 2 miles away!!

Now that I have rambled, here lies the questions!!! I would like to have a 12 X 16 shed as a minimum with a full 8 ft. lean to off of one side. Is this a structure I can build for 2500.00?? A gentleman in my neighborhood had one equivalent built a month ago for 2700.00, but I am in no way impressed with the construction. Growing up with a step dad that was a carpenter I am pretty knowledgeable with the construction part and have all the tools to do the job. So what do you think?? Shop around to have one built, or build one myself how I want it?? Thanks!!

 

[dgreen1069]

I think it depends largely on how finished you want the shed to look. I think for around $3500 you could finish it with vinyl siding (not including the lean to). $2500 would be a real good start, but I bit you will end up a bit higher just with standard materials.

 

[matouse3]

I think (and I think you do too) that you will be able to get more bang for the buck by doing it yourself, and know that its done how you want. That being said, I know time is always an issue, so you will have to weigh that personally.

I would put that saved labor money toward a small cement approach and an under the lean-to cement pad.

 

[FJ 432]

I had one built 10 years ago, same size for around $2,500. I would suggest researching a bit and also check out some books on shed designs. That way you build exactly what you want.

 

[supra90turbo]

It's all in how patient you can be, it can cost you whatever you want!
I've been watching a guy along my way to/from work, build his shed of about the same size, minus lean-to, slowly over the course of 2 years.
I'm convinced he gets all his materials for free or dirt cheap and that's the only way he decided he could build a shed. Looks like it's built to last though!

 

[Bib Overalls]

We did a 16" x 24" framed on concrete slab with metal siding and roof, a walk door, and small overhead door (installed) for about $5K last year. Of that, concrete work (materials, placement and finish) came to about $1.4K. Sheet metal was more expensive than I thought it would be. The screws, trim and other special shapes cost as much as the flat sheets.

You can see how we did it in the following pictures. Studs on 24" and roof trusses on 48" centers.


Shop Remodel 32 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

...So what do you think?? Shop around to have one built, or build one myself how I want it?? Thanks!!

If thr issue is money AND you know basic construction from working around your Dad, why WOULD'NT you build it yourself? You'll get more for your money AND you'll get a better job, EXACTLY how you want it. It's a no brainer to me. YMMV.

Costing out the materials for something this basic oughta be very simple.

 

[DKerns]

If thr issue is money AND you know basic construction from working around your Dad, why WOULD'NT you build it yourself? You'll get more for your money AND you'll get a better job, EXACTLY how you want it. It's a no brainer to me. YMMV.

Costing out the materials for something this basic oughta be very simple.

Dan, the biggest issue is time. While I am in no rush, I don't have the patients for projects that get spread out over time!! With the kids I m running between soccer, softball, and gymnastics (Where I am now!!)!!! Our weekends are pretty busy too. Part of me wouldn't mind just writing the check, but I am afraid I will not be happy in the end. Thinking I could knock most of it out in 2-3 days without interuption!!

Thanks for all the input guys!! I will startt clearing a spot for it in the next week or so and go from there. Keep the opinions coming!!

 

[crazytrain]

If you call around to some of the wooden shed places sometimes they take trade ins that need repairs. You maybe able to pick up a prebuilt wooden shed that might need a few repairs to siding or roofing pretty cheap. Also check craigslist in your area for used sheds. I could have bought a 16x20 mini barn from one dealer for $250.00 it needed a new roof and some siding replaced and the doors repaired. The only reason I did not buy it was I wanted 6 foot side walls.

I bought my shed off craigslist a few years ago it had a small hole in the floor and needed a new paint job and trim. I paid $500.00 for it and then $200.00 to have it moved. I have less then $1500.00 into it and it's 12x14 and 15 feet tall with a storage loft I can almost stand up straight in. I did all the work other than moving it myself, I also added 2 new windows to let some light in.

My shed.

 

[Trainman]

Thinking I could knock most of it out in 2-3 days without interuption!!

About ten years ago, I thought the same thing about building a shed over the Labor Day weekend. It was basically a kit that I beefed up, T-111 siding, shingled roof, PT floor on a gravel pad. Three days was about half the time I needed doing it myself and having it done right. I agree with everyone here that you'll get a better (and less expensive) product by doing it yourself, but don't kid yourself that you can do it that quickly unless you have a few friends who'll work for a steak dinner and a few brews. Good luck!

 

[FleaDog]

I'm building a 12x16 this spring. got my design from here:

http://www.icreatables.com/sheds/12x16-shed-plans.html

comes with detailed plans including plans for different foundations. also complete material list included so you can fax it off to lumber yards, depot, lowes etc. to get quotes.

I'm am going to build a 12x16 cape cod style. going to do a poured slab. what's nice about a slab is the stability and you can negate the need for the treated subfloor materials if you use it as the floor. build it yourself or get bids to sub it out. good luck!

 

[maddawg1952]

Built this for around $2800,12 x 8, PT platform, the siding is cedar T&G , I was a framer back in the day. By myself took me 2 Saturdays and probably 4 2-3 hr nights after work. With framing guns and siding guns. And 1 Sat. and 1 Sunday to dig the topsoil out and put 3/4 stone and set the blocks. LOTS of work by your self BUT WELLLLLL worth the effortView attachment 237791