How deep should I dig for a shed base?

Below slab level, you'll lay a 100mm sub-base and a damp-proof membrane. Therefore, you need to dig a level-bottomed pit 100mm deep. Be sure to remove all grass and other vegetation, stones and debris, then compact the earth.

hss.com - A step-by-step guide to laying a concrete shed base | HSS Hire

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Every garden needs a shed. It’s the perfect safe, dry storage solution for your gardening equipment, furniture, outdoor toys, BBQs and more. A great shed is also a handsome natural timber addition to your outdoor space, blending beautifully with your lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers and fencing. So, it’s worth taking the trouble to build a shed that’s attractive and sturdy as well as useful — and that has to start with the foundations. Without a firm and level base, your new outbuilding may start its life looking fresh, but it’ll be unusable before long. Alternative types of shed base include timber (aka a portabase), plastic, and paving stones. However, in this article, we’re going to focus on the most reliable option: preparing and pouring a solid concrete slab. You can hire all the tools and equipment you’ll need to lay a concrete base for your shed from the HSS range, so we thought we’d complete the service by providing instructions as well. Here’s our eight-step guide to laying a concrete slab worthy of your new shed-shaped pride and joy.

Step 1: Measure up and mark out

Once you’ve decided on the location, start by marking out the area for the slab. Make it wider and longer than the shed will be, and allow extra space for the formwork — that’s the technical term for the wooden frame that will go around the edge of the area to keep the concrete in place. Drive a wooden peg into the ground at each corner and run a taut length of string between them. Make sure the corners are square by measuring both diagonals. If they’re not precisely the same, you need to adjust.

Step 2: Dig out the base area

Below slab level, you’ll lay a 100mm sub-base and a damp-proof membrane. Therefore, you need to dig a level-bottomed pit 100mm deep. Be sure to remove all grass and other vegetation, stones and debris, then compact the earth. A micro excavator will make light work of the digging.

Step 3: Lay the sub-base

You can’t lay a concrete base directly onto soft ground, so a hardcore sub-base is essential. MOT Type 1 hardcore is the ideal material to choose. It’s the recommended sub-base for laying tarmac on roads and is readily available in jumbo packs from DIY stores and trade suppliers. Once your gravel sub-base is in place, thoroughly compact it using an HSS light vibrating wacker plate. Spread a layer of sand on top to prevent the sub-base stones from puncturing the damp-proof membrane.

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Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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How much does a 12x16 shed cost?

$2,000 to $8,000 How Much Does a 12×16 Shed Cost? Generally, a 12×16 shed costs anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 depending upon whether it is DIY or prebuilt. The pricing is affected also by the style, type of roofing, or other special customizations.

durastorstructures.com - 12x16 Shed: Price, Siding Materials, Flooring & So Much More

For a list of materials for building a 12×16 shed, check out this article on How to Build a 12×16 Gable Shed.

Here are some of the tools needed:

Circular saw

Drill machinery and drill bits

Milter saw

6’ Ladder

Safety glasses

Hammer

Tape measurer

4’ level

Nail punch

Speed square

Extension ladder

2 sawhorses

If you do not already have most of the tools above, expect your overall shed cost to increase.

Time

Building a shed takes time especially if you want it done right. Expect to take at least a month or so of weekends to fully complete your 12×16 shed. Considering the amount of time that is required, you could calculate that in the overall cost of a DIY shed. Time is money. If you have plenty of time, then DIYing your shed will save you the cost of labor.

Labor

One of the main benefits of building a 12×16 shed by yourself would be saving on the cost of labor. The cost of labor contributes to the overall cost of a pre-built shed. However, if you are short on time and lack skilled carpentry experience, paying for another’s skilled labor will be worth it at the end of the day and 15 years down the road.