DIY Builds
Photo by Manos Orfanos Pexels Logo Photo: Manos Orfanos

Is it cheaper to build a shed or buy one?

If you've been wondering is it cheaper to build your own shed, you'll discover that yes, it is less expensive to build your own shed than to purchase a pre-built shed. That is at least if you have all the tools required to build the shed. Typically, it won't take many specialty tools to build the shed.

How much it cost to build a 12x12 shed?
How much it cost to build a 12x12 shed?

How much does it cost to build a 12-foot by 12-foot shed? Building a shed costs an average of $60 to $150 per square foot, so a 12-foot by 12-foot...

Read More »
How much does it cost to insulate a 1500 square foot house?
How much does it cost to insulate a 1500 square foot house?

Property owners should expect to spend about $975 to $11,250 to insulate a 1,500-square foot home. Take note that insulation costs may vary and can...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

Learn More »

So you’re in the market for a new shed. A shed is a fantastic investment as it allows you to instantly put up space to store yard equipment, tools, gardening hardware, and really anything you don’t want inside or have room for in the house. However, you’ll first need to decide whether you want to buy a shed or build your own shed. Each option comes with pros and cons. So it really comes does to what works for you.

The Perks Of Buying A Shed

The biggest perk of buying a shed is all the hard work is done for you. All you need to do is select the shed you’re interested in and the rest will be taken care of. You may even be able to have it delivered right to your home and set up for you. Realistically, it is possible to pay for everything done. This is perfect if you are not the most handy individual and have struggled with construction projects in the past, don’t have the necessary tools on hand, or just don’t have the time. After all, even putting a shed together can take a full day (or a full weekend) to assemble.

The Perks of Building A Shed

If you’re someone who enjoys building things this alone might be an attractive enough reason to build the shed yourself. You can either find instructions for building a shed online or you can purchase a kit that comes with all the parts and instructions for you. Of course, there are other reasons why you want to opt for building a shed yourself. If you’ve been wondering is it cheaper to build your own shed, you’ll discover that yes, it is less expensive to build your own shed than to purchase a pre-built shed. That is at least if you have all the tools required to build the shed. Typically, it won’t take many specialty tools to build the shed. If you purchase a shed kit, where everything is already cut and ready to go, you just need to assemble it, at most you’ll need a hammer, drill, and a screwdriver. If you’re going off of online instructions you’ll probably need a few extra tools, including circular saws and a few other electric tools.

How Building A Shed Can Become More Expensive

How expensive is it to move a shed?
How expensive is it to move a shed?

Here are some average costs of moving a shed to a new location or to a new space on the same site: Local Shed Onsite Move: Approximately $250 to...

Read More »
Which saw is best for beginner woodworker?
Which saw is best for beginner woodworker?

Jigsaw. Every beginning woodworker should invest in a decent jigsaw. They're also called saber saws because of their reciprocating, saber-like...

Read More »
These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

In theory, when considering is it cheaper to build your own shed or to buy a premade shed, the self-construction option is the least expensive means of obtaining a shed. However, there are some variables to consider that might actually make building your own shed more expensive. First, if you don’t have the needed tools you’ll instantly add a good chunk of change onto the cost. Regular tools like hammers and screwdrivers can be purchased for a small amount of money, but if you need to pick up circular saws, table saws, and other power tools you’ll end up paying several hundred dollars more. If you’ve been looking for a reason to pick up these power tools than by all means spend the extra money, but if you want to go with the least expensive option possible, the need to buy these tools may greatly inflate your budget. If you decide to use instructions for a shed you obtained through the Internet instead of buying a kit, you very well might accidentally make a wrong cut or mess up along the way. You can limit your possible mistakes by “measuring twice and cutting once,” but even then it’s possible to accidentally make an error. If you make an error cutting wood you will need to return to the hardware store, make subsequent purchases, and then return home, all of which will cost you extra. So keep all of this in mind when it comes to saving money on your shed build and installation.

Do You Have The Time?

Even if you have the tools (or don’t mind spending money on the tools), you realistically need to decide whether you have the time to set aside and put the shed together. This is a project that can take a good chunk of time to put together. If you would rather spend the weekend kicking back and enjoying life, or if you’re always running around, going to a kid’s soccer game or tailgating at your favorite sporting event, will you have the available time to realistically construct the shed? If you don’t, or if you’re not sure, you’ll be better off buying the shed instead of trying to put it together on your own. At the very least at least this way you’ll have one more thing off your to-do list, which is great when you already don’t have a ton of time.

Customization

Is Reclaimed barn wood expensive?
Is Reclaimed barn wood expensive?

Reclaimed wood is much more expensive than buying new wood from a hardware store. Instead of paying a low price that makes it easy to pick up a...

Read More »
Can I build an office in my backyard and write it off?
Can I build an office in my backyard and write it off?

The home office deduction allows qualified taxpayers to deduct certain home expenses when they file taxes. To claim the home office deduction on...

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

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

Learn More »

Now, the one major perk of building your own shed is you can fully customize it to better fit your personal needs such as a workshop or an extra outdoor space perfect for the new teak outdoor furniture you bought. The same can be true if you go with a local contractor to build the shed for you, but going with a contractor is expensive. There really are no cheap shed builders when compared to buying a pre-made shed or a shed kit. If you have the experience and the time to set aside, you can easily add all kinds of features to your shed. You can add in windows or insulation, which allows you to use the shed as a workspace during the colder months. You might even want to add electricity for future projects. There is no limit to the kind of customization features you can add to your own shed. Of course, this will increase the cost of the project, but at least you’ll be able to have the exact kind of shed that fits your needs, and not some basic shed that is designed for the masses.

Installing Your Very Own Shed

There is no right or wrong answer for whether you should buy a shed or build it yourself. Typically, when looking at is it cheaper to build your own shed or to hire cheap shed builders it is almost always less expensive to build it yourself. This is because you’re conducting all the labor yourself. With that said, you may not want to build it yourself, and if you don’t have the kind of tools needed to build the shed it could very well end up costing you more in the long run. Whatever you decide to do though just know having a new shed on your property is a great way to instantly add more storage space without spending an arm and a leg on a new home addition.

What can I make at home to make money?
What can I make at home to make money?

How to make money from home Sell custom products. Create a print-on-demand business. Make a subscription box. Sell on marketplaces. Sell digital...

Read More »
What are disadvantages of plywood?
What are disadvantages of plywood?

Disadvantages & Limitation of Plywood Urea and phenol formaldehyde used for gluing causes cancer. Plywood is in many aspects weaker than wood. Not...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

Learn More »
Can you leave Dewalt tools in the cold?
Can you leave Dewalt tools in the cold?

In conclusion, it is safe to store most electric tools in your shed as long as the temperature and humidity can be controlled. Freezing...

Read More »
These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »
Does washing machine drain into sewer line?
Does washing machine drain into sewer line?

Washing machines typically drain to the main sewer line if the home is part of a municipal sewer system. Homes in urban and suburban areas are...

Read More »