Sheds

[Ceezer]

I'm still working on getting my lawn equipment out of the garage. It was suggested that I build my own shed (I had mentioned that the $1000 shed kits at HD/Lowes were reviewed as being junk, and special-ordering online was going to cost around $4000) and that seemed like a good idea at first, but then I got to thinking about it and don't know if I'm up to the job.

1) I'm gone 11-12 hours a day, M-F, for work. On top of that my daughter has softball 3 nights a week. Weekends are hectic because we usually have things going on then, too, or I'm busy trying to catch up on all the stuff that builds up through the week.
2) I don't have the experience. I've never really built anything before and don't know if my first project should be such a daunting task. I guess I'm not confident in my abilities and would hate to spend a bunch of time and money just to mess it up. I am interested in building things once I get my garage cleaned out. I just think I should start small and work my way up.
3) I have no friends. I do... just none in the area. The one friend I had here took off for Korea in '05. So that means I'd be doing it solo, with noone to guide me and prevent me from doing it wrong, which could drag the project out forever.

So keeping that in mind, would you still suggest I give it a go or would it be in my best interest to get one prebuilt?

I found a local guy that deals in sheds and can get a 10x12x8 for around $1800. Here are some of the specs on it:

_ 16" on center 2x4 joists, 24" on center wall studs (states "doubled under siding seams to help seal building, same strength as 16" on center")
_ All exterior wood pressure treated, including skids, floor joints, floor, siding & trim
_ Exposed nails are ring shank & galvanized
_ 30 year Architectural Shingles
_ Locks & keys
_ Watersealed with Pittsburg Paints 3 year "Sun Proof" sealer
_ Doors reinforced with internal steel rods
_ Floor decking & siding is 5/8"
_ Skids are pressure treated 4x6s, not 4x4s
_ Free delivery up to 30 miles (I'm about 34 miles, so 4 x $2 = $8 delivery)
_ Free setup & leveling up to 3 feet out of level (which is good for me, as I'm on a hill)

That sounds like decent quality to me, but I'm not informed as well as I should be in this area. Is it a good deal? Convenience is a big factor at this time because, like I said, I don't want to drag it out for months (because once it starts getting up in the mid-90s to 100s, it's going to be harder to motivate myself) and I don't want something that's going to end up looking like ****.

 

[tdkkart]

You sound like the perfect candidate for one of these "delivered" sheds, and the price doesn't sound too bad. Personally I would prefer vinyl siding but that's just me, and it's gonna add a couple hundred dollars to the price.
I built a 10x12 shed about 15 years ago, very similar except for vinyl siding, cost me $1200 dollars at that time and I did all the work myself.
10x12 is a nice size, will old an incredible amount of junk.

'Course if you have so little free time, sound like you have no use for your garage anyway, just as well leave all the yard junk in there......

 

[JMURiz]

That $1800 10x12x8 sounds like a good price to me. I'd probably go that route.

DIY always takes longer than you think anyway...for my DIY was the only option due to the VERY strange location/shape of the one I had to build.

 

[nadogail]

It looks like you have enough of your plate already, have the shed delivered and enjoy watching your daughter on the field.

 

[The Rusty Gear]

It looks like you have enough of your plate already, have the shed delivered and enjoy watching your daughter on the field.

+2! I'd rather be working IN my shed rather than working ON it. . . . . . Maybe that's why I never finsihed mudding and painting my garage

 

[weicm3]

I personally don't like those wood or metal shed from homedepot or lowes. I bought a 10x10 plastic shed off Amazon. Very good deal and it was delivered in just 5 days.

Installation was really straighforward. I spent only about 3-4 hours to put everything together (including hauling all parts from my garage to the backyard and reading manual while assembling). My 2 year old was trying to help but all she could do was to distract me.

What took more time was preparing the base. 3-4 hour installation time doesn't include the base prep work. I used blue stone and 12' 4x4 as edges. It took me one Sat. afternoon to finish the base.

If your $1800 deal includes the base prep., I think it's pretty good deal.

 

[Ceezer]

Thanks, y'all!

 

[nate379]

I'd up it to 3/4" on the floor and 16" O.C. walls, but that's me really. Check what the floor is too.. I'd go with at least 2x6s, better with 2x8s.

(All this is why I do my own stuff usually... I think most contractors build stuff too cheap)

 

[goodfellow]

Some years ago I built a basic 8x12 Saltbox design (flat sloped roof) over the course of a weekend, and I have absolutley no carpentry skills. Just look for a flat roof design -- it'll go up fast and you'll save 50-60% of the prefab price. OSB and 2x4's are cheap.

As an alternative, check COSTCO, they have very good pricing on roomy plastic snap-together sheds ($500-600) average

 

[Scooterfish]

Like Ceezer above I want to get the lawn equip out of the garage. Can anyone direct me to the HD , Lowes kits reviews? I just stared looking and seen lowes add for $1000.

I can build my own. Does anyone know where I can get plans & material lists for building my own. I would put vinal sidding on it to match as I just sidded my garage last year.

 

[Ceezer]

Can anyone direct me to the HD , Lowes kits reviews? I just stared looking and seen lowes add for $1000.

Here's the one I was looking at for $998. Below the picture is the description, and there is a tab for "Customer Ratings". I see there are 2 new reviews there within the last week that give it 3.5 & 4 stars, but all the ones prior call it junk.


http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=239960-57658-18140-5&lpage=none

 

[justinmc]

I'm looking at building a shed as well.. actually two of them. I'd like to build one to get the majority of my lawn equip, etc out of my garage as well as be able to store some of the oddball mothballed car parts I know I won't be reaching for just this second.

My parents also had a 10x12 DIY built shed that they just tore down and left a nice slab behind. So my old man's been talking to me about building up a newer/better one (original was flat roof w/ tarpaper and not cared for before they moved in.. it leaked.. and not much further away was the decision after they moved in that it needed to go.

My thought is I'm going to want some light at some point... something so when you go digging around in there after sunset you aren't walking into a cave. I wonder about a smallish solar cell to power some flourescents as needed...

 

[Kurn]

Google how to build a shed-there was a couple of web pages that were very informative and not too complicated.

 

[chevybuff]

Has anyone used one of the Northern Tools sheds with the brackets

 

[south pier garage]

there's just something about becoming a "sheddie". don't fight it; it is futile.

become One with your Shed!!!

http://www.shedworking.co.uk/

http://www.shedblog.co.uk/

 

[Ceezer]

They didn't have the one I mentioned above so I got a 10x12 utility style with 8' walls (and 2x6 joists). With taxes and all it cost me right over $2300... more than I was really wanting to spend, but I was happy just to do it and get it filled.

So the shed was delivered and set up yesterday. There was a slight slope from front to back (around 6" over the span of 12') and I thought maybe they'd just dig the front out where it needed it, but instead they set it up on concrete blocks. Now the floor is 15" off the ground and unusable at present... I was going to take a picture to put up here but my camera decided to die (for good, this time).

What can I do about that? I'm trying to get ahold of the main office down in Charleston, not the dealer (though I don't think this is really his fault; the delivery guys were independant), to see if there's anything they can do about it.

If there's not, though, how can I make it... less obvious? Right now it looks ridiculous, like it's on stilts. Would I put some skirting around the sides to hide the gap? Maybe landscaping or a tree/shrub/bush in front of the skirting? What about the entrance? It's not like I can just ramp a little mound of dirt up to it.

 

[Ray-CA]

Since you are busy and new at building, you can always use one of these shed building kits (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_572_572) No angle cuts and we put one up at a friends house in a day.

Ray

 

[autoist]

Mine ended up the same way so I built a ramp to get in & out of it....used 2x6's for frame of ramp & deck board for top....nailed it to bottom of shed & put a couple of concrete blocks under it just in case....works great.

 

[Ceezer]

Ok, I managed to get the camera to stay on long enough to snap a quick picture of it. I didn't want to take the chance on it dying again, so instead of wasting time walking outside, I just shot through the window & screen. Attaching picture to post.

Autoist, is yours this bad?

 

[PurdueSD]

Ok, I managed to get the camera to stay on long enough to snap a quick picture of it. I didn't want to take the chance on it dying again, so instead of wasting time walking outside, I just shot through the window & screen. Attaching picture to post.

Autoist, is yours this bad?

that looks like most sheds ive seen on a slight grade. I dont think you'll have much luck with the shed builder, but hey its worth a shot. You dont want it sitting on the ground either. (it will rot). I say throw some cheapo boxwoods around it and call it a day...

Goodluck

 

[autoist]

Ok, I managed to get the camera to stay on long enough to snap a quick picture of it. I didn't want to take the chance on it dying again, so instead of wasting time walking outside, I just shot through the window & screen. Attaching picture to post.

Autoist, is yours this bad?

Close...I have a 5' ramp leading up to my door.

Build the ramp & landscape...after a bit, you'll never know its a problem.

 

[Ceezer]

Ok, thanks fellas! I just didn't expect it to be that high up.

 

[SportFury59]

Don't know what your lighting needs are but I picked up a solar light at Sams Club recently for $40. It's an oval shaped light that you attach to an inside wall. It has a 10' cord attached to a solar panel that you mount outside. Panel measures about 6"x6" or 8"x8". Whats nice is that it has a remote switch that you manually turn light on and off. Nice bright light for a small area like a shed. Brand name is Westinghouse.

 

[nate379]

I would knock it off those blocks and set it up on piers instead. Looks like the shed is about to tip over!

Oh, and that looks WAY more than 6" in 12ft. I would say more like 12" in 12 ft.