Planning a 12 X 16 storage shed

[ScottsGT]

For price comparison, doing a stick built myself (or a contractor due to health issues) vs. one of the Heartland buildings delivered as a kit and hiring out the construction I cannot handle.
Do the "kits" really offer any savings? Or just a gimmick to those that cannot plan out things?
Looking at a 12X16 "barn" with a lean to on one side. FWIW, I'm leaning towards stick built vs kit due to high wind loading in my area I'm moving to.
Thoughts other than wait and see if lumber prices come down?

 

[CraigStu]

I ended up up closing in under my deck to make a shed. But before that I looked at various options. I would do the construction no matter what I chose but I was leaning toward a kit or at least drawings that came w/ a materials list. My reason was that I wanted a shed. I didn't want to learn how to design a shed, and I didn't want to figure out how to fix something I hadn't planned correctly for.

 

[aka Larry]

I helped a co-worker with his 12X16 shed last fall.

He bought a 'kit', with a 'drawing', and materials list. The drawing didn't even show a header for the door or windows. The kit was short a sheet of T-111, and the fasteners list didn't make any sense.

My take away from his 'kit' was if you've never stick built anything before, you need enlist someone who has. In our case my co-worker's FIL built his own garage and I've built several decks, privacy fences, etc, so we weren't starting at building 101.

 

[couch67]

Before all the shortages, I didnt think the kits were worth it. You might save a few bucks but you are stuck with whatever is in the plan. If you can plan and build your own I'd go that route.

 

[Bill Bowman]

I'm currently doing a 10 x 12 shed. Studs on 16" centers, 2 x 8 ridge beam, 2 x 6 rafters, 6' x 7' roll up door, vinyl siding, shingle roof. No windows. Already had the concrete pad. I'm in it right at $2500.00, but IMHO, a much better produce than a kit shed.

 

[MikeC55]

I have the manual for a Simpson Strong Tie shed kit I built 16 years ago. The kit was for a 10 x 8 shed but with two kits I made it 10 x 16. I don't think the kits are sold anymore but I think all of the Simpson steel connectors are available. I can email a zip file of the plans if anyone wants them. It was very easy to build with a chop saw and is very solid.

 

[ScottsGT]

Just an update...I went with a pre-built and delivered 12X24 for right at $10K after sales tax. All the on-site builders were having supply issues and could not say when they could do it. So I started shopping pre-builts online and on lots. I had narrowed it down to Old Hickory and Pine View. Finally decided on Pine View since I could upgrade the side walls to 89" high while the Old Hickory was only 75".
Took advise here about no windows due to limiting wall storage space. Also no electrical since I'm going to install a solar panel charging system, RV flood lights inside with a riding lawn mower battery. Thinking about an old barn light fixture over the door with a low output 12V LED bulb just for aesthetics.
I should have it in 4-6 weeks or less.
EDIT: Also decided that it needs to go in the front yard by the driveway since it is a lake home and the back yard is actually the front. So wind loading is not that much of a concern.

 

[minytrker]

I got lucky, had a 12x24x10 built on site for $2922.75 in January then their their prices went up the next week.

 

[billconner]

Around here, Amish folks all have saw mills. A very nicely crafted 12 x 18 storage shed of rough sawn pine - floor and two 6x6 sills - $2300. Would seem tough to beat at todays prices. They'll sell you the pine if you want to diy - 45 cents per board foot - but won't fit Simpson connectors.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm currently doing a 10 x 12 shed. Studs on 16" centers, 2 x 8 ridge beam, 2 x 6 rafters, 6' x 7' roll up door, vinyl siding, shingle roof. No windows. Already had the concrete pad. I'm in it right at $2500.00, but IMHO, a much better produce than a kit shed.

Figuring up about the same for my parents. This will have a metal roof, but haven't figured that cost for the metal/trim yet.

Total will be around $3K. I know it's going to be better built and going on a foundation already set up. . . Like 35 years ago.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I got lucky, had a 12x24x10 built on site for $2922.75 in January then their their prices went up the next week.

Less than $3K ? Must not have any concrete or stone floor, what type of O/H door ? Man door ? Solid color walls ? Metal roof, trusses 8' O.C. ?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here’s a picture of my 8x12 kit I bought from Costco. It was very easy to put together but that was partially because I own a framing nailer which made it go fast. And i bought the cheapest Ramset from Home Cheapo to mount it to the slab and small raised walls I set it on.

It was about $16-1700 and came with everything including nails, screws, hinges, glass, trim, a couple interior shelves, all cut to size. I certainly COULD have framed it up myself but it would have taken a lot longer. In my case, money well spent. Then I just painted it to match the house color and found a day laborer to install the roofing - I know my limitations, ha ha!

 

[GeorgeG.]

I built a 12x16 shed about 3 years ago so the lumber prices were definitely lower however, it was also about $1500 cheaper doing it myself when I compared it to one of these prebuilt ones that's common around here. I basically stopped by one of the shed places after hours and took a ton of pics of a shed I liked, then went home and figured up the material list. I also got to change up a few things in the process. The best upgrade was going with a roll up door and adding a loft. I never did take a final completion pic but it's still standing and stays dry. I ended up taking the roofing felt off and going with the vinyl underlayment.

Even with lumber prices being high right now, I think pricing it out apples to apples, it would still be cheaper to build yourself.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I built a 12x16 shed about 3 years ago so the lumber prices were definitely lower however, it was also about $1500 cheaper doing it myself when I compared it to one of these prebuilt ones that's common around here. I basically stopped by one of the shed places after hours and took a ton of pics of a shed I liked, then went home and figured up the material list. I also got to change up a few things in the process. The best upgrade was going with a roll up door and adding a loft. I never did take a final completion pic but it's still standing and stays dry. I ended up taking the roofing felt off and going with the vinyl underlayment.

Even with lumber prices being high right now, I think pricing it out apples to apples, it would still be cheaper to build yourself.

Welcome to GJ George.

Looks like a nice build you did. It appears you went 16"OC rather than 24" and used 2x4s rather than going cheaper with 2x3s like some pre-builds use.

 

[decableguy2000]

I'm in a 12x16 barn style, I got mine through Lowes contactor. Had it done in a couple of hours. They had it prebuilt in sections. I had the foundation / base in place already. If had to do it over, I would opt for one with taller walls. You loose a floor space because things cant sit flus against the wall.

 

[58Yeoman]

I posted pix of my old 8x10 that was torn down and replaced with a 12x20, contractor build on my property. They demo'd the old shed and found it was a lot harder to do than those cheap tin sheds they usually tear down. Four 36x36 windows, barn doors and an entry door, with an 8' loft and 8' tall walls. Just over $9000, and they hauled away the old shed.

 

[ScottsGT]

Delivered this morning!

 

[CraigStu]

Nice. And you can run the entry ramp all the way to the driveway. Perfect.

 

[ScottsGT]

That’s my plan, the wife doesn’t like that idea. She thinks it will be “too obtrusive “ for guests parking in the driveway. I told her good. I don’t want your drunk *** friends running into my building anyway!
I hate to think what PT lumber for that ramp is going to set me back now.

Edit: She wanted me to just build some steps and use truck ramps to pull the mower in and out. Along with a pressure washer and everything else on wheels. Told her not an option. She’s setting this house up as a vacation spot for everyone and forgets we have to live here 365 days a year.

 

[nadogail]

This has been an interesting read.

There are very many variables that would keep an objective observer from making an intelligent opinion of one project over another; these include differences in the design of the sheds. location of the projects, and the capabilities of the builders.

When and if those variables are evened out then relative comparisons can become easy.

 

[jrsavoie]

Around here small sheds are built on skids or set on blocks to escape property taxes.

If I was doing a small shed that would be handy to have insulated, I would look for a used walk in cooler or freezer, then skin it with whatever siding I desired. You'd still have to do the roof and trusses the same as ever.

Sometimes they can be found very reasonably. And they often come with a floor. You ca n assembly a good sized cooler in 4 or 5 hours