Building shed….foundation questions

[69charged]

Looking to build a 16x20 storage shed on our property. I previously had a 12x16 at our other house and it turned out to be too small.
Building this with a wood floor. So framing it with 16’ 2x10’s probably and 12” on centre. The area that’s it’s going is not level. Probably a good 2’ out.
I am debating which direction to go to start this foundation. Do I build it up with compacted gravel to level it out? Do I dig the left side down to make it level, which would require machinery. I don’t really have access to that right now. Or, has anyone used the box store helical screw piles in a scenario like this?
I’m almost thinking a combination of digging in and adding gravel.

 

[69charged]

Should also add that it’s almost exclusively sand around here. Little bit of shrubbery and topsoil, but then sand. And also no concern over drainage. Water literally disappears almost instantly.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would either use a concrete pad or build it like a pole barn

 

[Renegade1LI]

Like cobbler said go concrete and work from the high point, I always perfer to be above water. Backfill and slope one on one with some good compactable material, looks like you have plenty of room.

 

[69charged]

I would prefer concrete actually. But trying to do all the work myself and a wood floor allows me to do that.
I’ll give the concrete some more thought.

 

[Wolley]

I would use precast 4 ft piers or sonotubes with concrete. Don't level the ground. Use posts under a sill beam to account for the differences on height.

 

[Sumboodie]

Gravel pad

 

[BombShelter]

Everyone down here is using Diamond Pier's now. It doesn't matter if the ground is level.

Diamond Pier

Diamond Pier Foundations - Structurally rated no dig footings for decks, porches, pergolas, posts, and more. Code compliant, and install in minutes. Also available for larger commercial projects.

www.diamondpiers.com

Handipier is the other one.

Handi Foundation Systems | NCP Industries: Innovative, Sustainable Building Solutions

Are you tired of the laborious and time-consuming process of installing decking foundation systems? Look no further than our Handi Foundation Systems! HANDI

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I used them on my deck, with practice they go in very quickly, just make sure your line is straight, they only have an inch or so of play.

 

[dcg9381]

I am debating which direction to go to start this foundation. Do I build it up with compacted gravel to level it out? Do I dig the left side down to make it level, which would require machinery. I don’t really have access to that right now. Or, has anyone used the box store helical screw piles in a scenario like this?
I’m almost thinking a combination of digging in and adding gravel.

Foundation design is pretty regional and also dependent upon soil type.
Here, it's really difficult to dig down, so we tend to scrape off the "soil" and level by going up.

But at 16x20, I wouldn't want to do this by hand. Perhaps you can because you're younger, have better help, and have sandy soil..
And 16x20x4 - that's 178 80 lb bags....

Here, scrape top soil, create perimeter beams, fill with "road base" to level (we don't use gravel). Then pour with steel.. For a light shed, I might use mesh.

Way cheaper to pier... for sure.

 

[69charged]

Everyone down here is using Diamond Pier's now. It doesn't matter if the ground is level.

Diamond Pier

Diamond Pier Foundations - Structurally rated no dig footings for decks, porches, pergolas, posts, and more. Code compliant, and install in minutes. Also available for larger commercial projects.

www.diamondpiers.com

Handipier is the other one.

Handi Foundation Systems | NCP Industries: Innovative, Sustainable Building Solutions

Are you tired of the laborious and time-consuming process of installing decking foundation systems? Look no further than our Handi Foundation Systems! HANDI

ncpindustries.com

I used them on my deck, with practice they go in very quickly, just make sure your line is straight, they only have an inch or so of play.

There is a guy local to me that does the torqued in screw piles. They build all kinds of stuff on them including houses. But, at 200 bucks a pile, it can add up quickly.
I’m not opposed to doing the hard labour. It’s what the wife and I do! To me, all of the work required is easy. Just trying to decide which way is best/easiest/cheapest.
If I built it up with gravel the one end of the gravel pad will be 2’ thick! Way too much gravel, especially when I have to compact it all the way through.
Thoughts on a small retaining wall to hold it?

 

[peejay75]

Following this, as I'm in a similar, sloping situation. Are spaced piers or concrete blocks supporting a wood frame floor a bad idea?

 

[69charged]

Eventually there will be a 30x40 shop going where the boat is. And this shed will be straight across from the shop. This is a stop gap measure till I get to that point!
Soon…..soon!!

 

[69charged]

Following this, as I'm in a similar, sloping situation. Are spaced piers or concrete blocks supporting a wood frame floor a bad idea?

I did that at my last house. The shed was a 12x16 and it was up off the ground. I did the traditional framing for the floor, 12” on centre, and all that sat on 4x4’s and those 4x4’s were on the concrete blocks you buy at big box stores. Worked really well.

 

[peejay75]

I did that at my last house. The shed was a 12x16 and it was up off the ground. I did the traditional framing for the floor, 12” on centre, and all that sat on 4x4’s and those 4x4’s were on the concrete blocks you buy at big box stores. Worked really well.

Thanks! Did you add gravel beneath the bases before putting in the blocks? And did you use anything to secure the framing to the blocks? One more, did you use any kind of adhesive or anything to secure the blocks to themselves, when more than one was required to bring them all to level?

 

[NORDFORD]

I just built a 12x20. I did a concrete floor and I am so glad I did! I poured a monolithic slab. I was about 11” difference in elevation from front to back.

A shed floor is the PERFECT first concrete project.

 

[69charged]

I just built a 12x20. I did a concrete floor and I am so glad I did! I poured a monolithic slab. I was about 11” difference in elevation from front to back.

A shed floor is the PERFECT first concrete project.

I poured an 18x24 once with an electric mixer. And a pile of gravel, and a pile of sand and bags of concrete. Never again. It was not fun. Had no friends after it was done!
Also done a few small sidewalks. I’d get a truck for this pour if I do concrete.

 

[NORDFORD]

I poured an 18x24 once with an electric mixer. And a pile of gravel, and a pile of sand and bags of concrete. Never again. It was not fun. Had no friends after it was done!
Also done a few small sidewalks. I’d get a truck for this pour if I do concrete.

I had a mobile mixing guy and a buggy….

 

[69charged]

I poured an 18x24 once with an electric mixer. And a pile of gravel, and a pile of sand and bags of concrete. Never again. It was not fun. Had no friends after it was done!
Also done a few small sidewalks. I’d get a truck for this pour if I do concrete.

And to top it off, I woke up the next morning and either my dog or a wolf had walked over it leaving footprints diagonally across it! I poured 5” before, and then poured another 3” on top of that! Talk about adding insult to injury!