Garden shed input?

[240sxguy]

Hi gang,

I've decided that instead of building a new garage (for now) I'd like to invest in a large garden shed of the "portable" pre-built variety to get all the extraneous **** out of my detached garage/shop. I don't know anything about sheds, are there any pitfalls to look out for? I have plenty of room on my property and will probably just put it right behind my detached garage. I was looking at the 10x16 or so size but bigger would be better. I'd consider building one but at this point I have WAY too many house projects to conquer first. I do not want to have to put this on concrete, but if the numbers work out I would consider it. It's very hard to find anyone around here to do small concrete jobs like this.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Bucko]

Having seen alot of the company built sheds I would say build your own but since you have already stated you don't want to go that route I would simply go look at what is available in your area. Since they are basically just framing and sheeting you can see how they are built. Some will build 24"OC instead of 16" to cut a few corners. Check how the doors are hinged and the sturdiness as these are often failure points over time.
I personally prefer a slab build so you don't end up with a critter compound underneath and they tend to rot out.
Some places will have deals on used sheds and "repo's" if you have the access to have a already built shed placed where you want it.
Other concerns are permitting in your area. Some places have a no permit required under a certain square foot, and others have none at all. My father in law was going to have one put in and there is a price cap on what required a permit of like over $2500 structure requiring a permit (kinda odd).

 

[CombatNinja]

There is a huge difference in quality between the Home Depot/Lowes junk and a shed built by a dedicated shed business. Every town has one, usually way out in the sticks along a busy road. Look for one with 2 x 4 framing 16" on center for strength. A lot of the Home Depot stuff is built with smaller lumber and 24" on center.

Whatever you buy, my pro tip is this: before you put anything in it, go ahead and build yourself a nice bench along the back wall if it doesn't come with one and a loft over it. If you don't do it at the outset, you'll procrastinate forever.

 

[LB-1911]

Hi gang,

I've decided that instead of building a new garage (for now) I'd like to invest in a large garden shed of the "portable" pre-built variety to get all the extraneous **** out of my detached garage/shop. I don't know anything about sheds, are there any pitfalls to look out for?

One option
Marten Portable Buildings of Madison located in Madison, Wisconsin (North of ****'s Sporting Goods)

Marten Portable Buildings - Find a Portable Building Dealer Near You

Find a Marten Portable Building Dealer Near You.

martenportablebuildings.com

 

[240sxguy]

Thanks guys,

I have some feelers out to some local shed builders, they have some for sale locally that I can go look at today. I will avoid the big box stuff most likely. I would love to build my own shed but I'm already overwhelmed with projects at home that are much higher priority.

To the Marten link, those are the ones I am going to look at today!

 

[captain14]

Before you commit to a specific size, take some string and stakes and outline a shed and place all your stuff in the boundaries. Mower, wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, snowblower etc. Allow ample room to walk inside without moving everything?

Long enough for a 24 foot ladder to hang on the wall?

Kids off season toys?

When I built my 84 Lumber shed kit almost 30 years ago, I thought a 8x10 was going to be big enough. Now I wish it was bigger.

 

[billconner]

Around here, and I think you'll find them in Wisconsin, Amish families that saw lumber and build sheds are the nicest I've seen. All rough sawn lumber except most floors, board and batten siding, metal roof. They seem to be lower cost than even big box kits. Most set on timbers on a gravel pad. They are not found on line. Take a drive west of you and I think you'll find some. Seems like I saw them between Black River Falls and Osseo (where I stopped for Norske Nook on way to BWCA.)

 

[mikedodge]

Amish ones are the way to go.

 

[TractorJeff]

Around here, and I think you'll find them in Wisconsin, Amish families that saw lumber and build sheds are the nicest I've seen. All rough sawn lumber except most floors, board and batten siding, metal roof. They seem to be lower cost than even big box kits. Most set on timbers on a gravel pad. They are not found on line. Take a drive west of you and I think you'll find some. Seems like I saw them between Black River Falls and Osseo (where I stopped for Norske Nook on way to BWCA.)

Actually, West and North of Madison, up on top of the Ridge that runs toward Lacrosse there is a large Amish Community of Furniture Builders. I am sure there is one building Sheds by now?

 

[billconner]

Actually, West and North of Madison, up on top of the Ridge that runs toward Lacrosse there is a large Amish Community of Furniture Builders. I am sure there is one building Sheds by now?

Quite possibly. I travelled the I 94 corridor so knew they were there. Up here there are many. Wish there was a directory online.

For my current garage build, I'm using lumber from one near me. I asked if they would build it and said no, too busy building sheds.

 

[240sxguy]

Great information guys, I looked at the Marten sheds linked above and they are very nicely built. They had a bunch of displays setup outside the mall on the west side of Madison. Biggest I saw there was 10x16 and honestly I don't think that's big enough. Prices ranged from 5300 to about 6600 for 10x16 depending on door configuration etc.. The higher end ones had a door that flipped down to a ramp like an enclosed trailer.

I will investigate the amish angle next.

Also thanks for the advice using string to lay out what I'd be buying to see how much space we really need. Great idea.

 

[loganb]

I got roped into lead installer role for a new shed for the father in law from the orange box....work started today for about 3 hrs

It's an excellent design when judged from the angle of material optimization or shipping cost minimization....however not winning high marks for ease of assembly or long term durability. So far, would not recommend to others. Guess it's what I get for not being more involved in the purchase process as I wasn't the one who volunteered to build it for him...and then backed out

 

[rancherbill]

Check your local bylaws or HOA for allowable sizes and locations first.

 

[nadogail]

If you build your own you get "Bragging Rights" that money can't buy. You also get Total Responsibility for any thing anybody perceives that could have been done better. I value "Bragging Rights".

 

[engineer2]

Build the biggest your code will allow or the biggest you can afford.
Build it so critters can't live underneath it. (Skunks, racoons, possums, etc.)
Insulate it like you would a house to minimize temperature swings and condensation.
Make provisions for electricity, now or later.
Make the door big enough to pass a huge mower.

 

[240sxguy]

Thanks for the input on the home depot shed, I had heard those weren't the best. I looked again at menards' shed builder application and the cost between buying one pre made and buying the materials to build one isn't as much as I had expected. I'll gladly pay someone $1,500 to show up and drop this thing off.

I am zoned rural home 1 I believe in WI, which lets me do damn near anything since I am on 5 acres. I will clear things with the permit folks as I have already worked with them on a lot of projects, and they've been great.

I need to get a good handle on what size is really needed. I do have a small 2 car attached garage that I would love to actually be able to park cars in. We also have a semi clapped out 20x30 detached that I had a floor poured in. My brother calls it the slanty shanty and he's right but it'll do for now. The shed I need to buy is intended for seasonal storage (mower/snowblower) and the kids stuff. We have a power wheels, a gokart, a minibike and two dirt bikes including mine. My concern with the sizes and door layouts in these sheds is being able to access things without moving everything else out from in front of the door, but that's most likely inevitable.

 

[Joe Reed]

If they are available in your area I highly recommend Tuff Shed. I bought one years ago (at Home Depot....there was no local Tuff Shed dealer at that time) and it's solid as a rock. It was delivered as a prefab stacked on a trailer and assembled on site. My 8x12 was done in about 3 hours. The guys building it actually came to Memphis from Texas to do it! I assume they had several to do in order to make it worthwhile. I didn't order mine painted (it was primed) since I wanted to paint it to match my house.

It sits on concrete blocks and the floor and rim joists are galvanized steel. The door has a metal framework sandwiched between the exterior siding and interior OSB. I looked at some other local shed yards before buying and getting the Tuff Shed was an easy decision.

I believe Home Depot still sells Tuff Shed, at least they do in this area. If so, take a look at them. The Tuff Shed website also says they deliver nationwide. I believe they are all delivered prefab like mine was. I preferred that to having a fully built one dragged onto a trailer, trucked across the county and slid off onto the ground. Of course, one the size you want would almost certainly have to either be site built or prefab.

 

[captain14]

. My concern with the sizes and door layouts in these sheds is being able to access things without moving everything else out from in front of the door, but that's most likely inevitable.

I’ve seen some of the bigger sheds come with two entrances es to alleviate that problem. One door at the gable end and the other on a side wall. It all comes down to how many extras you want to pay for.

 

[cgall]

Build extension onto existing garage and repair plumb/square issues at same time.

 

[mbunimog]

This my shed built by Mennonite shop doing prebuilt sheds 14 ft by 24 ft delivered and set on my pad

 

[ScottsGT]

I went that route as well. Too many health issues to try a project of this size. Went with a 12 X 24 for right at $10k. Delivery and setup was awesome just watching. Guy really knew how to get that special trailer to work like magic. I had put two marks on the ground were I needed the front corners and you could have put a straight edge on the corners and they would have hit the marks.

inside pic


outside

 

[240sxguy]

I am leaning toward the Mennonite shed company mentioned before, the prices are on par with everyone else and the quality seems very good.

 

[240sxguy]

I went that route as well. Too many health issues to try a project of this size. Went with a 12 X 24 for right at $10k. Delivery and setup was awesome just watching. Guy really knew how to get that special trailer to work like magic. I had put two marks on the ground were I needed the front corners and you could have put a straight edge on the corners and they would have hit the marks.

inside pic


outside

Very nice!

 

[readhead]

I have sold about two thousand sheds over the last ten years. The Mennonites have the shed market cornered with the Amish running a close second. I was a tuff shed dealer for the longest ten months of my life. They use the cheapest materials and you pay extra for the name. The metal floor system is a scam. I get calls almost every day to move sheds and my first question, is it a tuff shed? If it is I respectfully decline. The metal floor system will fold up like a cheap suit if you try to pull it up on a trailer. I know people love their tuff sheds but there are a lot better sheds for less money.
Now to design. For what you want to store I would probably recommend a 6’ double door on one end and a 4’ door about two thirds down the side wall from the end with the double door. I would go with a 12’ wide building at least 24’ long. Larger equipment can be stored and accessed from the end door and smaller items can be accessed from the side door without climbing over the larger stuff. If you want more storage and don’t mind a barn style roof a couple of lofts will provide a lot of storage. Radiant barrier roof sheeting will reduce the inside temperature 10-15 degrees and is well worth the extra cost.

 

[CraigStu]

I walked through the sheds that HD had on their lot maybe a year ago. There was a range of quality available. I could see the difference in the way the door felt when I opened it and whether they used 2x2s or 2x4s. I am sure there are better than their best, but I would not automatically discard HD or L w/o a quick walk through their lot.

 

[240sxguy]

I have sold about two thousand sheds over the last ten years. The Mennonites have the shed market cornered with the Amish running a close second. I was a tuff shed dealer for the longest ten months of my life. They use the cheapest materials and you pay extra for the name. The metal floor system is a scam. I get calls almost every day to move sheds and my first question, is it a tuff shed? If it is I respectfully decline. The metal floor system will fold up like a cheap suit if you try to pull it up on a trailer. I know people love their tuff sheds but there are a lot better sheds for less money.
Now to design. For what you want to store I would probably recommend a 6’ double door on one end and a 4’ door about two thirds down the side wall from the end with the double door. I would go with a 12’ wide building at least 24’ long. Larger equipment can be stored and accessed from the end door and smaller items can be accessed from the side door without climbing over the larger stuff. If you want more storage and don’t mind a barn style roof a couple of lofts will provide a lot of storage. Radiant barrier roof sheeting will reduce the inside temperature 10-15 degrees and is well worth the extra cost.

This is really helpful information as far as sizing, I had a door setup like that in my mind. I had envisioned 10x20 but honestly I may have underestimated how much room I really need.

 

[captain14]

Make sure it has enough vents to allow the air to circulate and keep it cooler.

I would ask about some type of overhang over the doors to keep the weather off them if possible.

 

[rayra]

Keeping the shed on skids or a non-permanent foundation may make a difference on your property taxes as well.

10x16 seems big for a pre-made. But good deal if you can get it.

I just built a 6x10 shed extension for my folks and total material retail cost was just under $1800. Building it during high lumber prices and doing so in Vegas was not inexpensive.

 

[readhead]

10x16 is small in the shed world. I can deliver up to 16x40 and I know companies that can do 16x60.

 

[wandrur]

I have a 10x12 Tuff Shed. While the process has sucked (mine was a display model, i.e., *&^%ing nightmare compared to their normal build-in-place habit). But the shed seems solid, 16" on center studs, treated floor, metal roof. 10x12 is a lot of space, though that of course depends on what you plan to use it for. I don't have a garage, so this is more of a workshop+outdoor storage space.

If you can afford it, I say take whatever size you think you need and add 25%. You won't regret a shed that's too big, but you definitely will regret a shed that's too small.

 

[Prospecter]

I built mine. 10x30, which admittedly is pushing the limits of "shed." I Put 3 sets of double doors on the 30' side, which avoids burying stuff behind other stuff. I would do it that way again. (That's also why I only went 10' wide.) The floor is a concrete slab I poured with a friend, and wife and daughter.

 

[MerlinsBeard]

I'd go Amish shed or equivalent style builder with a slab base plus gravel support. Other shed floor systems suffer from either long-term decay or animal residents. They can prefab the shed and then if you are able have it delivered to anchor it to your slab. If you have to stick build it, it'll cost more but could still be worth it.

I have a 10x16' with 1/4 acre lot. I'd get 16" framing studs, the radiant barrier, and a 6' double door. I also bought smartvent to have the shed builder install it as soffit ventilation to go along with the ridge vent. Usually these places will work with you to add bells and whistles. Altogether it was a little over $10,000 for the excavation, slab, and nice shed from good materials, e.g. plywood instead of OSB, double insulated windows, installed onto slab.

Save some for gutters and drainage as well, really helps keep the shed and ground around it in good condition.