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Looking at getting a utility shed - any recommendations?
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If you have any carpentry skills, my advice is to save thousands and build it yourself. Materials are expensive but in the end it would be way, way less than spending $10,000.00.
See my barn build post:
www.ifish.net
The barn was bigger and more complicated to build than a shed; a shed would be relatively easy. We got estimates to have a barn built and had we gone that route it would have cost over $40K. We built it ourselves for a fraction of that. Plus, building it ourselves we were able to include custom features that contractors would not have done.
See my barn build post:
Barn build - from start to finish (with photos)
Part 1 of 4 In 2018 we decided to build a barn for our horses and goats. Our plan was to build a 24’ x 36’ barn, which would have four 12’ x 12’ stalls and a 12’ wide concrete pad going through the middle of the barn. We already have a hay barn/tack room so the new barn will not include...
www.ifish.net
The barn was bigger and more complicated to build than a shed; a shed would be relatively easy. We got estimates to have a barn built and had we gone that route it would have cost over $40K. We built it ourselves for a fraction of that. Plus, building it ourselves we were able to include custom features that contractors would not have done.
Shur way building centers had shed kits that were a lower price and good quality when I was shopping if you don't mind building yourself. They have a N Portland store to avoid sales tax. It seems like it I recall they can recommended builders if you don't want to build it.
BDjr,
You seem pretty handy. Why not build it yourself for a lot less than $10k? For 10 x 20, check on permitting requirements. In most locations there is a size threshold that initiates needing a building permit. I built a small (less than permit size) shed, so I even made my own roof trusses. With a city or county permit, engineered trusses are needed, and possibly footing and or foundation requirements.
You seem pretty handy. Why not build it yourself for a lot less than $10k? For 10 x 20, check on permitting requirements. In most locations there is a size threshold that initiates needing a building permit. I built a small (less than permit size) shed, so I even made my own roof trusses. With a city or county permit, engineered trusses are needed, and possibly footing and or foundation requirements.
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7,296 Posts
I’m from the build it your self camp.
I scoured around for my lumber in an effort to save a few bucks and ended up building this shed for about 2/3 of the cost of a prefab unit.
Just make it easy on your self and keep the shed dimensions with in basic framing configurations.
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I scoured around for my lumber in an effort to save a few bucks and ended up building this shed for about 2/3 of the cost of a prefab unit.
Just make it easy on your self and keep the shed dimensions with in basic framing configurations.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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I did this same project when I was in school. I'm confident I could build one on my own still but don't exactly have the time these days
it's a great idea, I just can't imagine it's easy or likely to have them build you one. I may try though.
As someone who's gone for 12-13hrs every weekday, building my own just isn't in the cards I'm afraid. As much as I'd enjoy the project.I’m from the build it your self camp.
I scoured around for my lumber in an effort to save a few bucks and ended up building this shed for about 2/3 of the cost of a prefab unit.
Just make it easy on your self and keep the shed dimensions with in basic framing configurations.
![]()
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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I get the time issue. Never enough hours in the week.
Best advice I got is get a half dozen of your Amish fishing buddies to come over to help out and you can knock it out in a weekend.
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I've had my 10x20 Old Hickory shed for almost 2 years now. I'm pretty happy with it. I bought it through Wood Castle furniture off Hwy 34 outside of Corvallis.
It's a Lofted Barn style with a double door in the center of one side and windows that slide up on either side of the door. No other windows. Both ends have the lofted area inside. The shed was ~$6300, delivery included. The delivery guy centered it exactly as I wanted it on the pad that I had poured for it. It has a locking T-handle in the door.
I had originally purchased a 10x20 Tuff Shed, Lofted Barn style, from Home Depot but the Tuff Shed people refused to deliver it. (I wanted the shed rotated 90 degrees from the orientation the shed would be in if they brought it straight into my backyard from the street.) The sales manager for the area said it would be no problem to get it delivered but the delivery coordinator refused, saying that they wouldn't position in my back yard in the orientation that I wanted it. What a fiasco!
I got a full refund, eventually. I say eventually because the original refund didn't include the extra delivery charge due to me being outside their "standard" delivery distance. Luckily, someone at Home Depot noticed the discrepancy and I got that fee back, as well. I drove 40+ miles three times by the time I was done with them.
I built a smaller barn style shed myself about 20 years ago. Not in the mood to do that again, even though it's way cheaper. Or at least it was before the stupid price hike for building materials.
Good luck with your decision.
-Knarf
It's a Lofted Barn style with a double door in the center of one side and windows that slide up on either side of the door. No other windows. Both ends have the lofted area inside. The shed was ~$6300, delivery included. The delivery guy centered it exactly as I wanted it on the pad that I had poured for it. It has a locking T-handle in the door.
I had originally purchased a 10x20 Tuff Shed, Lofted Barn style, from Home Depot but the Tuff Shed people refused to deliver it. (I wanted the shed rotated 90 degrees from the orientation the shed would be in if they brought it straight into my backyard from the street.) The sales manager for the area said it would be no problem to get it delivered but the delivery coordinator refused, saying that they wouldn't position in my back yard in the orientation that I wanted it. What a fiasco!
I got a full refund, eventually. I say eventually because the original refund didn't include the extra delivery charge due to me being outside their "standard" delivery distance. Luckily, someone at Home Depot noticed the discrepancy and I got that fee back, as well. I drove 40+ miles three times by the time I was done with them.
I built a smaller barn style shed myself about 20 years ago. Not in the mood to do that again, even though it's way cheaper. Or at least it was before the stupid price hike for building materials.
Good luck with your decision.
-Knarf
Shoot me a pm and we can explore the options
getting one built to exactly what you want is also going to be cheaper. as
lumber prices have come down from $1600 a board foot to 400 or so. most of the shed places have too much money in their inventory. may not want to adjust prices until awhile.
ive done a bunch of sheds both ways. and getting it built is best. but not as quick.
i found putting them up on a block so air gets under and keeps them from rotting. forget what they tell you about their treated wood no ood should be on the ground. and metal rusts out.. can easily build a small ramp if needed to wheel things in.
lumber prices have come down from $1600 a board foot to 400 or so. most of the shed places have too much money in their inventory. may not want to adjust prices until awhile.
ive done a bunch of sheds both ways. and getting it built is best. but not as quick.
i found putting them up on a block so air gets under and keeps them from rotting. forget what they tell you about their treated wood no ood should be on the ground. and metal rusts out.. can easily build a small ramp if needed to wheel things in.
I’ve got a Tuff Shed and couldn’t be happier. It’s well built, the configuration tool and purchase process on Tuff Shed’s website was good and the delivery and set up process was quick. I’m thinking about purchasing another one for some additional storage.
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If you do have it built by someone, make sure they have some experience. Dont just have kids build it. Otherwise you will end up with something like we neighborhood kids built from left over lumber and nails scrounged from residential construction sites...
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I've since built an 8x8 shed and a 2 story 8x12 playhouse/shed as an adult and both turned out quite well and with not as much expense as buying a pre-made one.
I've since built an 8x8 shed and a 2 story 8x12 playhouse/shed as an adult and both turned out quite well and with not as much expense as buying a pre-made one.
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Another DIY guy, saved a ton of money and it was done in around 4 days. The only help I needed was putting up the trusses (if you want to call them that) and the siding. I used Hardi and cedar shakes.
To make the trusses, I laid out a simple jig on the deck, reinforced with gussets made from scrap plywood. Got a couple of windows off the shelf at Home Depot.
To make the trusses, I laid out a simple jig on the deck, reinforced with gussets made from scrap plywood. Got a couple of windows off the shelf at Home Depot.
DIY is for people who aren't gone for 10-12hrs a day
I do have plans for one, but see zero chance of doing it myself. I've had a few offers for help on here but I think the commute to me would be unreasonable. Also talked to a contractor friend who's between projects who might be able to help but that's probably a pipedream.
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Bobber.... Yea, time is tough to come by for lots of folks. Understand completely.
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