Back yard shed

[RayB]

OK so right now I'm at the "gather up materials" and "plan" stage.

I bought a shed kit for $60 only to discover that materials to build an 8'x8' will cost at least $500. This was supposed to SAVE me money! I can get a cheap aluminum shed for $320!

What do I do? Aluminum sheds look ugly. Wood one would look a little better but might need siding to look best (MORE $$$).

Should I convert an existing shed? There aren't any classic shed enthusiasts out there, are there? (they'd crucify me!)

Do sheds add much value to a home (in terms of re-sale value)?

[BobbyG66]

RayB,

I bought a shed kit for $60 only to discover that materials to build an 8'x8' will cost at least $500. This was supposed to SAVE me money! I can get a cheap aluminum shed for $320!

A wood shed is way better than an aluminum shed. I built a 10 x 14 shed, cost around $1,300. I built it myself because  I needed a tall door, I'm 6'4" and all the sheds available had 6' doors.

What do I do? Aluminum sheds look ugly. Wood one would look a little better but might need siding to look best (MORE $$$).

I used T1-11 for my siding and it looks great and was easier than siding.

Should I convert an existing shed? There aren't any classic shed enthusiasts out there, are there? (they'd crucify me!)

What do you have for a shed now?

Do sheds add much value to a home (in terms of re-sale value)?

I would say no, it might help you sell the house, but you will not get your money back.

BobbyG66

[TOK]

Spend the extra on the wood now, you'll be glad you did. My dad always gets the aluminum ones. I say always, because he's had about 3 of them in the last 15 years. The doors get rickety in them, and inevitably, some big pile of crap falls over inside and dents the sides all up. One of them blew over in a wind storm and is now anchored by rope and an engine block. 

Build the wooden one with T111 sides like Bobby G said, and you can always side it or add windows later when funds are back up. I'm planning on a 10x18 now, which is going to kill me in materials, but I'm totally out of storage space.

[TOK]

double post... oops

[Dervacumen]

I used T1-11.  This is a 10X10.  I took a bracket off a gutter downspout on my house and had the paint color matched to the house.  I mixed and poured the concrete and tied it into the existing walkway.  All in all it came in at just under $500.  A similar shed sells at Home Depot for about $1700, so you will save money.  This is anchored to the ground, so it's basically a permanent structure.  When I had my house appraised it added $2K to the appraised value.

This was actually the first step in building my arcade cabinet.  I needed to free up room in the garage so I could build my cabinet and had no place to put the junk.

[Bloinkxp]

Now here is something I can comment on.  Portable buildings/sheds were my family's business for 15 years in Louisiana.

Here are some things to consider:
Use 2x4 studs for the framing of the walls.  Do not use 2x4x8'.  There is no reason to buy the expensive wood.

Do not buy treated wood.  Block the building up so that it sits on concrete blocks.  Treated wood will rot...just not as fast.  By having the bulding off the ground: the wood drys out.

Use 5/8 decking for the floor.  It is lighter and there for easier to work with.

Use 16" O.C for the floor 2"x6" 's and 24" OC for the walls.

Good Luck!

[nostrebor]

You won't get your money back out of a shed at sale time, but if you build/buy a portable skid type shed, you can have it moved when you sell. I own a 10x20 commercial built shed. It cost $250 to move it about 15 miles to our new house this spring. A new shed that size would have been 10x higher.

[RayB]

WOW what's with you guys and huge sheds? (10x14?! Isn't that called a "garage"?)

I posted this in Projects as a joke, but all this serious advice, keep it coming! I really am building one.

Can someone link me to what T1-11 is? I don't know if that's wood or a power tool!

And OC? What is that?

The building plans call for it to be set up on 8 12"x12" patio stones. Is this high enough off the ground to keep it dry? (referrring to Bloink's comment).

And whats the difference between a 2x4 stud and 2x4x8? My plans say to use spruce.

[Havok]

Screw the kits! Pick up all these free cabs that people are giving away, break them down and build a shed out of it!

[Blacksmith]

I think everyone is way off the mark on this one...forget the shed, sell the mower and get a lawn service!

[Raven..]

WOW what's with you guys and huge sheds? (10x14?! Isn't that called a "garage"?)

That's nothing.  We are about to build a new house in a month.  The land has a very nice barn on it right now that will be converted into my arcade.........its' 30X40!   

[NIVO]

ok, i like it. But it needs sideart...........cant wait to see the marquee all lit up :squeal: 

[Bloinkxp]

T1-11 is exterior wood siding sold in 4'X8' sheets.  It is 5/8" thick (if I recall correctly).

o.c stands for "On Center" which means take this measurement from the middle.  This is done so that drywall/wallboard/whatever hits the middle of the stud.

As far as tools?  Here is the minimum:

Skill saw ($20 cheapie will work)
Drill/Screw Gun (corded or at least a 18v cordless)
Tape Measure
Hammer/16p nails (for tacking the walls up).
Patience...you always measure twice and cut once...

So what exactly is in your kit?

[RayB]

So what exactly is in your kit?

The kit is just a bunch of metal braces for all corners, roof, etc along with required screws and bolts, and instructions/plans. All other materials I have to purchase on my own according to their list.

Bloink, when you said to use 2x4 studs instead of 2x4x8's, did you mean those metal studs for walls?

[HoopstarsGarage]

My Advice is to build the biggest you can possibly afford - both price wise and size wise..

I have a 30' x 30' shed and will be extending this at the end of the year by adding another 30' x 30' behind it.  No matter how big it is, it'll never be big enough because you'll find more equipment to fit in there.

[Bloinkxp]

By Studs I meant "Stud Grade".
When you go to Home Depot (although they are the most expensive) you will see 2x4x8...looks good but around the corner you will see studs.  They are typically a lower grade (i.e. have some knots) but for framing they are just as strongs as the more expensive wood.  Believe me, it's what is in your house walls.

-d

[RayB]

My Advice is to build the biggest you can possibly afford - both price wise and size wise..

I have a 30' x 30' shed and will be extending this at the end of the year by adding another 30' x 30' behind it.  No matter how big it is, it'll never be big enough because you'll find more equipment to fit in there.

This is what my yard would look like if I went 30x30:

[RayB]

PS: Just to keep this project on topic for this forum, I'm going to add an arcade button doorbell to the shed.

heh

[TOK]

This is what my yard would look like if I went 30x30:

Better go bigger then, a little grass is still showing. 
Hoopstars setup sounds perfect.

[Crafty]

and I thought a mans home was his castle..

Sounds like we have been all relegated to the shed.

My way of thinking is go as big as you can build/afford/have space for.

If you get addicted to this hobby a large section can always become your own games room.

[Havok]

You could probably squeeze 40x40 out of that...

And then you will be master of all you survey! In the shed, that is...

[Capthowdy]

This is what my yard would look like if I went 30x30:

HAHAH...I almost pissed myself when I saw that.  I love how you added "yourself" into the render.