DIY Builds
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How much does a modern shed cost?

Most sheds range from $1,500 to $10,000, but a small, prefabricated shed can cost as little as $300, while a custom-built shed with high-end finishes can cost as much as $33,000 or more. However, most homeowners pay between $4,000 and $6,000 for a shed.

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How thick should shed insulation be?
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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

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Prefabricated Kit Prices

Most 10-by-12-foot prefab sheds cost between $1,500 and $4,000. If you hire a pro to assemble it for you, you'll likely pay an additional $10 to $20 per square foot. Prefabricated sheds are built in a factory before someone purchases them. You can often find them on display at hardware stores.

Original Construction Prices

These sheds usually cost $40 to $75 per square foot, so a 10-by-12-foot shed costs between $4,800 and $9,000. Original construction sheds are designed, built, and constructed after someone purchases them. Due to the extra work involved compared to prefab sheds, original construction sheds are typically more expensive. However, original construction sheds cost significantly less than the cost to build a garage for both car and additional materials storage. Whether you choose a prefab or custom construction, be sure to consider water runoff. "When planning your shed location, don't forget to evaluate water drainage,” says Andy Kilborn, owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA. “Ensure your shed roof won't be creating a water issue near your home."

Shed Cost Factors

Several factors determine how much you’ll pay for your shed.

Size

Size is among the biggest factors affecting shed cost. Square footage often determines your shed’s cost; the larger your shed, the more you can expect to pay.

Materials

The material your shed comprises is another significant cost factor. For instance, plastic sheds usually cost much less than wood and steel-framed sheds. A small plastic shed usually costs between $300 and $1,500, while a small wood shed ranges from $600 to $3,000 or more.

Purpose

The purpose of your shed often influences the cost. If you plan to only use the shed for storage, you likely don't need added features, like windows and electricity. However, if you plan to use the shed as an additional workspace, home office, or playroom, you might want to add electrical systems, insulation, windows, and more. These additional features significantly drive up costs. If you plan on a multipurpose space, plan to spend more. If you need space for your plants, for example, you should factor in the construction specifics and the cost to build a greenhouse . Or, if you’d like space for the kids, make sure you budget for the cost to build a playhouse .

Location Preparation

If the ground where you plan to add a shed isn't flat, you'll want to prepare the site to ensure a safe shed installation. Most pros charge between $1 and $10 per square foot to grade land, depending on the project’s complexity.

Labor

If you hire someone to build or assemble your shed, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour in labor costs. A simple assembly of a prefabricated shed might only take a few hours, while original construction can take several days or more.

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How do you maintain a wooden shed?

9 Tips To Maintaining Your Garden Shed Treat The Wood Regulary. ... Repair Any Holes. ... Lubricate The Hinges. ... Check And Replace Roof Regulary. ... Be Wary Of Nearby Plants. ... Clean Out The Insides. ... Make Sure Windows Are Secure. ... Check For Rust Or Mould. More items...

This is particularly important during the winter months as the cold and wet weather can have a serious effect on the wood. This would be especially true of sheds that haven’t had a fresh lick of paint in a few years. You should ideally look to treat your shed within the first six months of its life in your garden, and then every twelve months or so from thereon. It is advised that you treat your shed before the start of the autumn months when the weather gets colder. To treat your wood properly you will need to find out whether your shed has had an oil or water preserve on it. This can be difficult to work out if you weren’t the original owner, so if you are unsure you should look to sand the wood back a few layers and start from scratch with a couple of new coats. It’s not advised to combine oil and water preserves as the topcoat will flake and then fall off. Oil and water preserves work in different ways too. The oil would seep into the wood whereas the water preserve would seal it from the outside. They are both perfectly viable options provided you buy a high quality mixture.

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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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