Sheds and outbuildings — buying building and permitting

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

Most yards generate stuff that needs storing. Lawn mowers, garden tools, seasonal decorations, bikes, and equipment accumulate. An attached garage helps, but many houses lack adequate storage. A shed solves this problem with a simple, self-contained structure designed to keep weather out and stuff organized.

The choice is between buying a prefabricated shed, building one from scratch, or hiring someone to build it. Each has tradeoffs. Understanding what you actually need to store and how much space that requires helps you choose the right size. A shed too small solves nothing. One unnecessarily large wastes money.

Determining Your Needs

Assess what you’re storing. Garden tools and a lawn mower might fit in a 6-by-8-foot shed. Bikes, seasonal decorations, and yard equipment might need 8-by-10 or 10-by-12. If you’re considering a workshop or serious storage, 12-by-16 or larger makes sense.

Height matters. A low shed (6 feet) is cheaper but limits what you can store. Taller sheds (7 to 8 feet) accommodate more equipment and are more pleasant to work in.

Access is critical. A shed deep in the corner of your yard is harder to use than one near the house or workspace. Consider what you’ll actually need to get in and out frequently versus what you’ll access once a year.

Multiple smaller sheds sometimes work better than one large one. If your storage needs are scattered across yard zones, decentralizing makes sense.

Prefabricated Sheds

Prefab sheds come as kits or fully assembled delivery. Materials cost $3000 to $10,000 depending on size, siding, and roof quality. Delivery and assembly add $500 to $2000. Total cost for a decent prefab shed is often $4000 to $12,000 installed.

Advantages are quick installation (days instead of weeks), no contractor hunting, and the simplicity of following instructions.

Disadvantages are limited customization, variable quality, and that cheap prefab sheds deteriorate quickly. A $3000 shed might need roof replacement in 10 years. A $8000 shed with quality materials might last 20 to 30 years.

Some prefab sheds are sold with poor ventilation, leading to interior rot and mold. Check ventilation specs before buying.

Built from Scratch

A contractor-built shed costs $5000 to $15,000 depending on size, materials, and complexity. This is more than a prefab shed but you control quality and customization.

DIY building is possible if you have carpentry skills. Materials cost $2000 to $6000. Labor is your time. DIY quality depends entirely on your skills and attention to detail.

Location and Permits

Zoning restrictions limit shed placement. Many jurisdictions require setbacks from property lines (10 feet is common). Some areas restrict total outbuilding square footage or require sheds to be behind the house line.

Check your local code before building. Installation in the wrong location, even if well-built, results in removal orders.

Permits are usually required for sheds over 120 square feet, though this varies. Small sheds (under 120 square feet) might be permit-exempt. Confirm with your local building department. Skipping a required permit risks problems later and might complicate selling your house.

Foundation

A proper foundation prevents rot and settling. Concrete piers (holes dug below frost line, filled with concrete and topped with posts) are common. Concrete slab foundations are more solid. Simple gravel pads work for temporary structures but allow rot and settling over time.

Budget $300 to $1000 for foundation prep depending on method and soil conditions.

Maintenance and Longevity

A well-built shed with proper roof, siding, and ventilation can last 20 to 40 years with basic maintenance.

Maintenance includes cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof for damage, checking siding for rot, and ensuring ventilation isn’t blocked. Once annually is sufficient for most sheds.

Siding rot can be addressed locally if caught early. A small area of rotted siding can be cut out and replaced without rebuilding the whole shed. Wide rot means siding replacement.

Roof leaks should be addressed immediately to prevent interior damage and mold.

Size and Style

A shed that matches your house architecture looks better than one that clashes. If your house is traditional, a traditional shed suits it. Modern house, modern shed. This matters less if the shed is tucked in a far corner, but if it’s visible, aesthetics count.

Size should match your storage needs with a little buffer. Underestimate, and you regret the size immediately. Overestimate, and the shed becomes a catchall for stuff you don’t really need.

Color should complement your house and landscape or blend in if you prefer it less visible.

Electrical and Water

Electrical power in a shed (for lights and power tools) adds cost but improves usability. Professional installation costs $300 to $1000. DIY is possible if you’re comfortable with electrical work, though many jurisdictions require permits for shed wiring.

Water lines are rarely necessary unless you’re building a serious workshop. A simple exterior hose works for most garden sheds.

Making Your Choice

Determine your storage needs, check local codes and permits, choose a location with good access, and select quality materials. A well-placed, properly built shed is an asset that increases your home’s functionality and usability for decades.

Cheaper prefab sheds might seem like a good deal until they’re deteriorating after 10 years. A better-built shed, whether prefab or custom, serves you much longer.

© The Whole Home Guide