Photo: Gord Maclean

Is it cheaper to build a wood 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.

4barnyard.com - Building Your Own Shed vs Buying A Shed - Which is better?

Are pole barn houses cheaper than stick built?

A Pole Barn Can Cost Less Than a Stick-Built Structure The foundation usually makes up over 15 percent of the cost of constructing a single-story...

Last updated Nov 30, 2018

How do you fill gaps in a garden shed?

Check for gaps and fill them with expanding foam, builder's caulk, or by applying wooden splines. Fill gaps around doors by fitting draft excluder...

Last updated Aug 11, 2021

Promotion

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

What furniture is most important?

The most important pieces of furniture for your home Chest of Drawers. Boookcase. Armchair. Dining room table. Desk. Wardrobe. Bed. Outdoor table....

Last updated Nov 15, 2022

What major has no math?

Political science, fine arts, elementary education, even a culinary arts degree – there are lots of options for those of us who hate math! Aug 1, 2022

Last updated Feb 8, 2019

Are shed plans easy to follow?

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

Learn More »

Promotion

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

How do I build a waterproof shed?

To fully waterproof a shed, first, make sure you select a good location for your shed, use the right foundation, build a drainage system, and...

Last updated Sep 21, 2022

What can I put on my walls to keep them warm?

Insulating wallpaper and liners offer an easy way to do exactly that. By naturally insulating the warmth inside a room, they are superb at...

Last updated Sep 19, 2022

Promotion

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.

4barnyard.com - Building Your Own Shed vs Buying A Shed - Which is better?

Are prefab homes cheaper?

However, overall, the answer to the question is prefab cheaper than building may not be entirely clear cut. Burch advises: 'Oftentimes...

Last updated Jul 13, 2022

How long does shed roof felt last?

How long does the shed roof felt last? The felt we supply with all our sheds is superfelt, which is a highly durable form of felt that is likely to...

Last updated Nov 16, 2022