DIY Builds
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Do I need an electrician to wire a shed?

If you want to provide a dedicated circuit to the shed, hire an electrician to make the final connection in your main electrical panel. Otherwise you can connect to an existing circuit if the circuit has enough capacity and the box you're connecting to has enough volume for the additional wires.

Is it cheaper to build a pole barn or metal building?
Is it cheaper to build a pole barn or metal building?

Cost of Constructing Barns Made of Poles vs. However, steel frame barns are also 60% less expensive than traditional methods of construction. Even...

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Which door is better wood or fiberglass?
Which door is better wood or fiberglass?

Although wooden doors are durable, they're susceptible to damage from prolonged exposure to sun, rain, snow, humidity, and other elements....

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Introduction Learn how to run electrical wires outside underground to reach sheds, lights, patios and other locations, following safe wiring practices.

Overview: Project Scope, Special Tools, Materials and Costs

Dragging extension cords across the yard to power the string trimmer, fumbling around in a dark shed…most of us take these hassles for granted. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a day’s work, you can run electrical lines to any part of your yard. This article will show you how to bring power to a shed, but the process is almost identical if you want to simply mount an outlet on a post planted in the soil. A licensed electrician would charge at least several hundred dollars plus materials to run lines from your house to a shed 50 feet away (not including any work inside your house). Unable to decide whether to DIY or hire an electrician? Here, find out how much an electrician costs.

Running Power Through RMC

We’ll show you how to run wires through rigid metal conduit (RMC). This method offers the best protection of the wiring and requires the least amount of digging. It also lets you install a GFCI outlet at the end of the line rather than at the house, which means you’ll never have to run back to the house to reset a tripped GFCI. If you want to provide a dedicated circuit to the shed, hire an electrician to make the final connection in your main electrical panel. Otherwise you can connect to an existing circuit if the circuit has enough capacity and the box you’re connecting to has enough volume for the additional wires.

Running Wires Inside Rigid Conduit

To run the wires inside rigid conduit, you’ll need a hacksaw, a pipe bender capable of bending 1/2-in. rigid conduit with an outside diameter of 3/4-in., and a fish tape long enough to reach through the buried pipe. You’ll also need a pair of pipe wrenches to screw the sections of pipe together, a drill and one-inch bit capable of penetrating your siding, and wire cutting and stripping tools. A few weeks before you start the project, contact your local building department to obtain an electrical permit if one is required. Then a few days before you dig, call 811 to have your underground utility lines marked. Learn more at call811.com.

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Can you make good money upcycling furniture?

Upcycling is an excellent way to start a lucrative side hustle with low start-up costs. And upcycling common items isn't just any side hustle; it's...

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Can you put a shed on paving stones?
Can you put a shed on paving stones?

Most homeowners, however, can build a shed base with paving slabs. It takes a little time and elbow grease, but a foundation will prolong the life...

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These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

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What is the best base for a Tuff Shed?

A gravel pad (crushed stone) with a lumber perimeter is the best shed foundation option in most cases. We recommend gravel shed foundations because they provide a stable base for your shed to rest on and do a great job of draining water away from the bottom of your shed.

Sheds have exploded in popularity over the past several decades. From being simple, DIY outbuildings, sheds have evolved to include workshops, offices, and even living space. What do all these buildings have in common? They all need some type of shed foundation to support them! Thankfully, the number of shed foundation options is beginning to catch up to the variety of sheds. Here are the 13 top shed foundations that you should consider for your outbuilding. However, if you’re not interested in reading the full list, we’ll save you some time and give you our recommendation for the best shed foundation right away.

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Where should shed vents be placed?
Where should shed vents be placed?

Where Should Shed Vents Be Placed? If you are looking for where to place your shed vents, you should know that the ventilation routes are areas...

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Why can't you burn pine in a fireplace?
Why can't you burn pine in a fireplace?

Pine wood causes the most creosote due to its high sap content. The unseasoned pine can produce a large amount of smoke as it burns off moisture....

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Is it cheaper to pour concrete or use pavers?
Is it cheaper to pour concrete or use pavers?

Standard concrete slabs are generally lower in cost per square foot than the alternative. Typically, you will pay 10%-15% more if you choose paving...

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