Buying a shed

[BigE]

My house was not blessed with a big garage or the real estate to add one. So I decided several years ago to add a shed to keep mowers, gasoline, power equipment, yard tools and spare building materials out of the weather and away from prying eyes. The problem is that I've procrastinated in getting one for the last 3 years so working in the garage over the winter has been all but impossible. I've wavered back and forth between picking up a used one or going new. Whenever a possible used candidate would come up on CL or the like, I'd go take a look at it, but they never panned out. Used ones in decent condition have not been cheap enough to beat out a new one when you consider moving costs and such. I've also looked at new ones to an extent. There's a dealer on the north side of town that sells steel buildings. They're just like the little aluminum utility buildings you see everywhere, but they're made of steel. The advantage is they're much stronger to resist forced entry, falling tree limbs and flying rocks from mowers. However, they are susceptible to rust. I was quoted ~$2000 for a 10x12 delivered. My other two choices are the typical H&H-style aluminum buildings and stick frame, barn-style building. Aluminum is cheap, but then again, it's cheap ... and thin. Stick frame looks great, but I'd need to keep it up to keep from rotting over time. To add to all of this, I'll be putting the shed on the right side of my house just past the edge of my garage. My yard slopes off into the neighbor's at that point so there's really only about a 10' wide flat path to get the building to the back yard. So that's a concern. My question is, given these three options, which would you choose? Also, are there any builders/manufacturers you can recommend?

Basic requirements:
- Double doors
- Enough space to store above items while being able to drive a 42" Cub Cadet with bagger in and out; 10x12' on the small side, 10x16' might be about right
- Hassle free; Any permits, etc. should be the contractor's/OEM's responsibility. According to the city, over 120sqft requires a building permit even if it's a pre-fabbed building, but I get the feeling most folks ignore it without consequence.


Any other advice/thoughts? I need to get off my **** and get this done!

 

[NWphotog]

I had the same quandary. Ended up going used. Bought a shed from a couple selling their house and trying to recover some of the cost. I had it moved by flatbed tow truck which cost $100. Total came out to 50% of having the same model shed built in place. It worked for me but others might not want the hassle.

 

[mrchuck]

1. Buy the biggest you can fit in the space you have. Space gets swallowed up easily.
2. Insulate it and wire it, and light it, for your electricity needs, always put in a sub-panel, so you can dis-connect from your house supply panel anytime needed.
3. Finish off with insulation board, and you will know where your studs are for hanging up things like shelves, etc.

 

[bczygan]

Sometimes you will see a nice used one for free on CL. Moving is the problem. I would like to suggest a better option. From your description, you have specific requirements. That dictates designing and building to solve them. It also gives you the most bang for the buck. First, find out (Anonymously) what the footing and foundation rules are for the 120SF and less shed, and for the one over 120SF. Follow these in either case even if you don't pull the required permit for the larger size shed. If a footing is required take photos of a tape measure in the hole as proof it was done to code for later. If you later get caught the penalty is usually double the fees if you can show it meets code. In any case a conc. slab is ideal. Excavate properly and provide a good base for it. Build the structure just like regular house construction with full 8' walls for more storage capability. I don't know the problems there with termites or moisture in a wood frame building. Use sill seal and a wolm. sill as a minimum. Another option is to use heavier gauge steel studs for bearing walls and wood trusses. Check on hurricane tie down requirements. Use a steel door. For low maintenance install metal roof sheathing and either vinyl or metal wall covering. What are the roof and wall surfaces of the house?

Bill

 

[usmc_noma]

Why not build one to suit your tastes? Where I am as long as it's under 150sqft there's no permit needed. There is a zoning permit or something along those lines but it doesn't need to be inspected. You can find your materials on CL. It'll take time but it can be done. Locally 7/16" osb is $6 a sheet. On CL there's a seller about 45 mins from me selling several osb sheets at $3 a sheet. The most expensive piece of wood you'll buy is the treated lumber for your floor if you don't have a concrete slab. A minimal amount of 2x4x12s and 2x4x10s, along with your wall studs and your set. I've found windows going for $10 for a large 32x54" and full french doors w/ no windows for less than $100. Even shingles for the roof could be had on there. Good luck and let us know how it ends up.

Costs will add up when you start buying extras such as vinyl instead of wood siding etc.

 

[hdossett]

BYOS, build your own shed.

If you put it on runners, you should not require a permit. But check to make sure of that if you go bigger.

I think I may do this myself, thinking that if I had a lot of stuff out of my garage, I would be more organized, but then, probably not!

Harold

 

[BigE]

The problem with building it myself is that I've been thinking about buying one for 3 years. If I were to build it, I'd probably retire before I even got started. I've got several other projects I need to get done. Buying a shed is a relief measure to allow me to get these other things done. Although, a neighbor (contractor who built the neighborhood and put a roof on my house) offered to build me one for less than the $2k I was quoted for the pre-fabbed metal one. Hmmm ....

 

[usmc_noma]

Just go that route then and help your neighbor build it for you. Buy your own materials or get it through him if he can get it cheaper. Just be glad you have a friendly neighbor unlike some have posted about recently.

 

[BigE]

Oh, and Bill, to answer your question, the house is a single level, hip-roofed house covered with Owens Corning architectural shingles and masonite lapboard siding (three "perceived" boards per masonite board).

 

[Az Scooter]

I love my tuff shed. I am kind of wishing that I had put my shop out there, and let my wife have the garage. I would have more storage, and clearer floors then. Only disadvantage is no power, which could be fixed, and it is wood, so welding probably would not be the best thing.

 

[BigE]

Here's an aerial view of the house. The roof has been redone since this picture was taken. However, you can see the bare spot at the right of the picture just in front of two tall trees. That is where the building will go. The line of trees that frames the backyard is the end of my property so I don't have very far back to go. Also, the bushes/trees on the far right of the picture are on the right property line. I have to be 5' away from both of those. Also, that right property line is in the middle of a downward slope where the ground level drops 15-20 feet in relatively short order.

usmc_noma, I still have to feel that deal out and see what would be best. If he can come in at the budget I'm thinking with the space and quality I expect, it's a no-brainer.

 

[usmc_noma]

Just make you know how far you're shed has to be from your property line. That was one main thing the guy I spoke to at the County Office told me.

Also, if you're going to build one yourself, you can look online at several different plans for free or if you find one you like pay for it. Most that I've found online for my 10x12 I would like to build have been free or less than $20 for a plan. You really don't need a plan but it's nice to have one. You could even do all the math yourself as far as materials go and submit a list to your local lumber places to include the big box places. This way you know how much your materials will be. Again it's always nice to find stuff on CL that you know you'll need or want.

 

[bczygan]

Check the zoning requirements for the minimum distance any accessory building must be from the primary structure.

 

[Painter123]

Depending on where you're located you could buy an 8x20 shipping container
They range from 1000$ to 1500$ and just have it set in place
Most places that sell them deliver then for free depending on your placement

Then you have indestructible storage in minutes, paint it to match the house n your done

When/If you move pack it full and take it with you

 

[BigE]

A shipping container is a definite impossibility. Even if it would physically fit on my property, I couldn't hide it enough to prevent it becoming an eyesore. I really don't even want to have a shed back there as it will be visible from the street. But I'll make it as pleasing to the eye as reasonably possible because I need the storage.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Buy a wood one with extra storage an a gambrel barn style loft.

Paint it, fill it, move on.

Get crackin. Now.