How many posts do I need for a shed foundation?

How many footings do I need for a shed? There is no hard-and-fast answer, but a good rule of thumb (if using concrete foundation piers) is one shed footing every 8-10 feet. That means an 8×10 shed should have 4 shed footings (if footings are required) while a 16×40 shed should have about 15 shed footings.

siteprep.com - Shed Footings: The Complete Guide for 2022 - Site Prep

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Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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Footing Requirements for a Shed

1. Footing Requirements by Shed Size

This may be the single most important shed footing factor. Many local governments in our region divide sheds into the following size categories:

Less than 100 square feet

Sheds under 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft in some locations) often require no footers whatsoever. Very small sheds like these have a low risk of sinking or buckling. Even if they do, any harm caused is likely to be insignificant. (A shed foundation can still increase the longevity of a small shed; you can read more about whether your shed needs a foundation here.)

Between 100 and 600 square feet

Sheds in this range often do not require “frost-proof” foundations but may be required to have a stone pad or shallow footers at 12” deep. For example, 12×16 shed foundation footers may not be required, but some type of gravel shed foundation would likely be advisable.

Over 600 square feet

Larger sheds like these typically require “frost protection”, aka shed footings that extend below the local frost line. Some locales make an exception to the footer depth requirement if the building is placed on a concrete slab.

2. Footing Requirements by Shed Wall Height

Height is another significant factor as it helps to determine how much weight the shed footers will be supporting per square foot. Note that for these purposes, shed heights are typically measured at the wall (or “eave”) height rather than the height at the roof peak. Sheds are often divided by height as follows:

Less than 10’ high

Sheds with walls under 10’ (or 12’ in some locales) may not require footings of any kind (although this is usually tied to a square footage requirement as well). If the shed includes a built-in floor, some municipalities allow them to be placed directly on a gravel pad.

Over 10’ high

Sheds over 10’ in height (or 12’ in some municipalities) often require footings of some type. Additionally, the local government may require both a zoning and construction permit for accessory buildings of this size. For example, barn shed footings would likely be required if the building contains a loft area or a second story.

3. Footing Requirements by Shed Utilities

Footings may be required if a building will be connected to any type of utility service. This includes electric, gas, oil, and/or sewer. In the photo above, an electrical conduit was installed as part of the shed footing/shed foundation installation; it will be connected to the shed when it is delivered. A utility connection can also affect whether a construction permit is required for the shed. This makes sense since the repercussions of a sinking shed are greater if it also runs the risk of rupturing or exposing a utility line.

4. Footing Requirements by Shed Use

If a shed will be used for habitation or any other human activity, shed footings may be required. In at least one case, a township noted that frost-depth shed footings were not required if “the building presents a low hazard to human life in the event of failure”. So if someone asks whether footers are necessary for an implement shed, the likely answer is “no”. However, shed footings are a good idea if an outbuilding will be used as a workshop, she shed, or office (as shown above). Here are links to shed footing regulations from several municipalities that you can refer to for ideas of what the typical requirements look like:

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How long will a cinder block foundation last?

Poured concrete block bases and slab foundations will last for a lifetime, 80 to 100 years or more, given they have been constructed with precision. The termite proofing of the base, 12 years, provided the chemical barriers remain intact.

spauldingconcrete.com - How Long Does A Concrete Foundation Last?

Life Expectancy of Home Components

One way to plan for the expense of owning a house beyond mortgage payments, insurance and taxes is to know the life expectancy required of the components of your house. This awareness does not supersede a home inspector’s use when buying a house, new or old, but it will help you build a savings plan to brace you for the inevitable. Sooner or later you’ll need to fix or rebuild all of the pieces of your house— inside and out. Knowledge of life expectancies of components is what homeowner associations use to create, in part, a contingency fund intended to spread the eventual costs over time. If the roof goes out, the appliances conk out, or the paint starts to rust, it’s much easier to get the cash if you’ve got any socked away for just one rainy day. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders, along with the Bank of America developed the “NAHB/BoA Home Equity Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components” to help you take the guesswork out of preparing for the worst. The study suggests that you use the timelines as a general guideline. Local weather conditions, use patterns, routine maintenance— or lack of it— all can influence many components’ life expectancy. Personal preferences for contemporary improvements need for remodeling and other considerations can also dictate replacing parts before their useful lifetime is finished. In any event, NAHB established knowledge about the durability of housing components based on a detailed telephone survey of manufacturers, trade groups, and researchers. From the base up to the rooftop, here’s a brief look at how long some of the most popular home components are supposed to last on a national average.

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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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