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Help me build a shed, pretty please.

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ive

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Mar 8, 2011
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Canada
Hi all.

I had another thread about building a shed. Its easier to consolidate everything here.

Ok. Some information. I have to build a shed because a garage has to have a driveway up to it.

I’m currently deciding on size. Recommendations on common sizes would be much appreciated. I realize that cutting lumber multiple tomes is costly and mistakes can happen

I’m looking at 12x16. A concrete pad. I need drawing to submit to city hall before I begin. I’m looking for a do it yourself book or a internet site. There’s so much out there I feel overwhelmed.

Thanks so much. Any input greatly appreciated.
 
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Cougar67

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I don't know if Home Depot in Canada will have the kits. If they do, look them up. There will be a link to a PDF of the assembly instructions. Print them an build your own. You'll be able to hand pick nicer lumber and it will probably be cheaper. Here's the assembly instructions for the 12 x 16. It's showing my price in VA at $2995. PDF warning:

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/03/03210395-cfba-4172-9877-6935b85e7d48.pdf

This is the shed https://www.homedepot.com/p/Best-Ba...od-Storage-Shed-Kit-brookfield-1612/203022331

Link to signed engineer drawings for your permit: https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/d1/d141f8e5-38b9-4a14-be11-849f2f1d80d5.pdf
 
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MushCreek

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It's hard to say without knowing what they mean by 'a drawing'. Some places require all sorts of engineering details; others just want to know how big it is. Here in SC, all they required for a house was a few drawings identifying the basic dimensions, how many rooms, and what the rooms are intended for. They expect you to know and follow standard building codes.

A shed is so simple I would just learn to use Sketch-Up and generate neat, clean drawings following framing standards. A basic book on framing would show you everything you need to know. That, or purchase a set of plans to work from. On my barn, I used plans from barnplans.com. They produce a nice gambrel roof which yields some loft space for overhead storage. The plans for a 12X16 mini-barn are $75.

Your first step, though, is to talk to your local building department, and find out exactly what they require. Rules vary by country, state, province, county, town, and even neighborhood. If they want you to follow the rules, they have to tell you what the rules are.
 
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Bretny

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HD kits are complete junk. Also dont use T1-11 siding. You will be painting it every 5yrs unless you dont care what it looks like.

Since you need to submit a drawing i assume it needs to conform to building codes?
 
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Boilerhouse

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When I built my 24x30 garage 15 years ago, the bylaw office only required neat hand drawings to scale, to indicate overall dimensions, stud centres, plates, plywood thickness, details for window and door studs/jacks/headers. Basically a drawing showing overall dimension, one to show the garage layout on the lot, a drawing for the concrete floor to indicate dimensions, especially depth and footing width and depth, one drawing per wall and a drawing for the roof. I did all these myself with a pen and ruler. They were helpful in telling me what the codes were, and I added these as notes to my drawings such as -all plywood fastened using 2 1/2 inch ardox nails on 6 inch centres. (or whatever the code called for). They even offered suggestions to exceed code and I incorporated these as well. The truss manufacture supplied their own drawings that spec'd nailing, bracing etc. I believe I included notes for site prep, i.e. all clay to be removed to a depth of 4 ft and replaced with pit run gravel compacted every 6 inches.
 
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I

ive

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Hi guys.

Haven’t been to HD or Lowe’s yet. Busy with work. I’m having a problem finding a decent sized shed 12x16 that has a max height of 11.5”.

Anyone help me out?
 
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polizei1

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Feb 2, 2017
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Cinci, OH
I used Sketchup to design mine, along with youtube videos. I decided on 10x20, material cost will be ~$2,500. Hoping to build it next year. I got a few bids for a concrete pad and it was ~$2,500-3,000, so I'm more than likely not going to do it.
 
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neurotopia

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Jan 29, 2014
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Do you have a Carter Lumber near you? They can get you better materials than a crappy big box kit can.

We've had T1-11 on our garage and it hasn't been painted in god knows how long. It's at least 30 years old though and starting to delaminate on the very bottom, but otherwise the paint has held up well (we moved in here 6 years ago and haven't bothered painting it because we're gonna reside it, so no telling how long ago it was last painted. Given that the prior owners lived into their 90s, probably not recently). Part of that is getting the best grade of T1-11 that you can, it will hold up better.
 
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Cougar67

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The trick with T-111 is you are supposed to prime all four sides and especially cut ends. It makes a great sheathing to put new siding over. The Amish shed I bought in 1985 is still in use by the new owner of my first house. Keep it painted and caulked. There's a place here that has it for $19 a 4x8 sheet.
 
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F451

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WA State, USA
Very timely, I'm considering putting a shed up at my mother's vacation cottage, there's no garage, no outdoor storage at all. We really need something up there. I'd rather build it myself, hoping my brother will come along with me to do it.

And I've also heard the Home Depot / Lowe's shed's are garbage.

Keep us posted as you progress, I've already learned a lot here, thanks guys! -Ed
 
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MushCreek

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If you're limited to an 11-1/2' max height, build the roof with a 6/12 pitch. That yields 3' of height over 6', to the middle of the building. On top of 8' walls, plus the thickness of the roof framing puts you right around that height. Maybe make the walls a few inches shorter to be sure. Building a shed isn't rocket science. Put studs on 16" centers. Single plate (pressure treated) on the bottom; double plate on the top. Headers over door and window openings with jack studs and cripple studs. That's pretty much all you need to know. Build each wall including the sheathing laying down on the slab, then stand up. Temporary braces until you get it all nailed together. Doing drawings will keep you in good with the building department, and make sure you don't make any screw-ups prior to cutting boards.
 
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engineer2

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It may be different in Canada, but...
I wanted 8 ft high walls in the interior of my shed. I simply told the building department I had to build it a foot higher than allowed or I wouldn't have enough roof slope for the shingles. They said no problem.

Others here have brought up a good point: If it's on a slab it counts as a "permanent structure" and your property taxes go up more.
 
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jd_1138

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Bretny said:
HD kits are complete junk. Also dont use T1-11 siding. You will be painting it every 5yrs unless you dont care what it looks like.

Since you need to submit a drawing i assume it needs to conform to building codes?
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'd use plans in a book and build it like a traditional little house -- studs at 16". Pick out your own lumber. The kits usually skimp on materials.

Just communicate with the local inspector as you go along, so it will pass inspection. Don't want the inspector as your enemy. lol
 
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jd_1138

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engineer2 said:
It may be different in Canada, but...
I wanted 8 ft high walls in the interior of my shed. I simply told the building department I had to build it a foot higher than allowed or I wouldn't have enough roof slope for the shingles. They said no problem.

Others here have brought up a good point: If it's on a slab it counts as a "permanent structure" and your property taxes go up more.
Click to expand...

Hopefully, the taxes won't go up too much. A slab is nice to have.
 
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engineer2

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Probably not too much of an increase in Canada. Around here it seems they take the cost of the project, divide by 20, and that's your tax increase.
 
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nadogail

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Coronado, CA
Apparently the OP is not working within a small budget.

I would have suggested using salvaged pallets and 2X4's to build a shell, then sheath it with plastic and covered with plywood or something else.
 
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87GNat

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May 2, 2006
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Central CT
This is the best shed building video (actually 15) that I saw while building my shed a few years back. Step by step through the entire process.

 
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