A shed can be a great addition to any backyard. Not only does it provide you with extra storage for your lawnmower, holiday decorations and more, but also it could be a workshop, greenhouse or man cave. The possibilities are limitless, and so are your options. In addition to all the different sizes, configurations and features available to you, there’s the matter of deciding whether you want to build your new shed from scratch or purchase a prefabricated unit to be assembled on your property.
There’s no easy answer to the question of whether you should build or buy a shed — it will depend a lot on your particular needs, budget and comfort level with light construction work. Based on your circumstances, one option may be a far better choice than the other. Before you take the plunge, it’s a good idea to think about all the factors that should influence your choice.
The Basics of Building a Shed Yourself
There’s something to be said about the feeling of satisfaction that comes with building something with your own two hands. Whether you build from the ground up or purchase a kit, doing the work yourself may be a good option if you have the skills and the resources to ensure the best results. Here’s a rundown of what building a shed yourself may entail.
What You’ll Need
You’ll have to start with a set of plans. There are a number of resources available online or through home improvement retailers that give you complete blueprints for a new shed. You may even be able to input your specifications and have the plans generated for you. If you buy a kit, the instructions will be provided.
From there, you’ll have to make sure you have all the tools needed for the job. Building from a kit usually means all you’ll need are basic hand tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and a cordless drill. If you’re building from scratch, on the other hand, you should have a circular saw, table saw and other tools that you may have to go out and purchase.
The last essential element for building a shed is the materials. You should take into consideration that you’ll most likely end up buying more than you really need because boards and beams will need to be cut to the proper dimensions.
Calculating the Costs
How much does material cost to build a 10’ x 10’ shed? It all depends on what materials you want and where you source them. It’s recommended that you shop around to find the prices that meet your budget. Building from the ground up can save you some money in terms of labor costs, but that’s only if all you need are the materials. If you don’t have any of the power tools you’ll need, those costs can add up quickly. Something else to consider is the long-term costs of maintaining and repairing your new shed. You may have faith in your DIY skills, but inexperienced builders are likely to make mistakes that can lead to build quality that is less than a shed that is professionally built or installed. This could result in you spending more to keep your shed in good condition than you anticipated. So how much does it cost to build a custom shed? In the long run, it may be difficult to know for certain.
Making the Time Commitment
How long does it take to build a shed? Unfortunately, there are far too many variables to provide even a ballpark estimate. The most important factor is your skill level. If you’re already handy with a circular saw, the job should take much less time than if you’re looking up videos online about how to use one. There’s also the matter of how complicated your build will be. If all you want is something with four walls, a roof and a door, the project shouldn’t take as long as one with customized shelving, windows and lots of trim work. What seems like a simple weekend project can end up taking over your life for days, if not weeks.
Pros and Cons of Building Your Own Shed
There are a number of reasons why it might make sense to build a shed yourself. At the same time, there also are many considerations that could have you thinking twice about taking on such a project.
The advantages of building your own shed include:
• Cost Savings — Building a shed could mean all you’ll be spending money on are the materials. If you have the tools and the know-how, you can cut out the middleman and lower your overall costs.
• Customization Options — Doing everything yourself means you can choose the specifications and features that fit your needs as closely as possible. You can build a custom outdoor shed specifically for your riding lawnmower or design the backyard work-from-home office space you’ve always wanted.
• Satisfaction — There’s nothing a DIYer appreciates more than seeing the fruits of his or her labor after a job well-done.
On the other hand, choosing to build from scratch can have disadvantages such as:
• Hard Work — Even experienced builders can have trouble managing a construction project on their own. There’s nothing worse than running out of energy halfway through building your custom wood shed and realizing you still have a lot to do.
• Learning Curve — If you don’t spend a lot of time using tools, there’s a chance you may run into some serious complications you weren’t prepared to face. Realizing you don’t have the experience or skills to handle the job at hand can be a sobering experience.
• Margin for Error — Any mistakes you make during the construction of your shed can come back to bite you in due time. This means you might end up biting off more than you can chew.
The advantages of Buying a New Shed
Maybe you’ve never picked up a hammer in your life, or you just don’t have the time to commit to a construction project. Either way, buying a prefabricated shed can be a great way to get the space you want without sweating the details. Here’s what you need to know about the process of purchasing a shed from a trusted manufacturer.
Shopping for a new shed can be an exciting experience for homeowners. Depending on the manufacturer, you may be able to choose from a wide range of designs or provide the dimensions and have the whole thing custom-built for you. You can pick out the finishes, additional features and architectural style, knowing that the finished product will end up looking exactly like what you see on the website.
Once you’ve made your selections, you work with the provider to schedule the delivery and installation of your new shed. You’ll be able to choose the day and time that works best with your schedule, so there’s no need to worry about taking off work or interrupting your daily routine to make sure you’re home when the crew arrives.
From there, all you need to do is make sure there’s enough available space on your property for the shed to be delivered and installed in your designated spot. This may involve removing clutter from your lawn, making sure trees and bushes are trimmed, and putting down plywood to prevent damage to your landscaping.
How Much Will It Cost?
One factor building and buying a shed have in common is that your costs will be determined in large part by the choices you make. This is why it’s important to take the time to think about what you actually need and how your new shed will meet your requirements. If you want to use it as a workshop or hobby space, for example, you’ll probably need lighting or even HVAC installed. If it’s purely for storage, on the other hand, the no-frills approach may be best.
Convenience and Quality
For those without a lot of time to spend on a DIY project, buying a shed direct from the manufacturer makes sense. Rather than spending one or more weekends sweating outside in the sun, you can kick back and watch the professional installers do their thing. Having a team of pros on the job also means your new shed can be ready much sooner than if you tried to build it on your own without help. Of course, there’s also the quality of the finished product to consider. Professional shed builders and installers have hundreds if not thousands of successful builds under their tool belts, which means you can feel confident about what they do for you. On the off chance the build quality isn’t what you expected, you also may be able to have the crew come back to fix any mistakes or oversights. Many shed builders offer warranties on their products, so you can have peace of mind.
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Shed
Many homeowners choose to buy a prefabricated shed and are perfectly happy with the result. However, there may be some aspects of the process that may not be so attractive to you, depending on your situation.
Some of the benefits of buying a shed include:
• Convenience — Buying a shed can be as easy as ordering a pizza. In some cases, you may not even need to ever leave your house, making all the arrangements online or over the phone.
• Quality — When you have experienced manufacturers and installers helping you out, there’s a much better chance the shed will be exactly as you envisioned it. This is especially true if you haven’t completed many DIY construction projects of your own.
• Time Savings — Many people simply don’t have the time to invest in building a shed from scratch. Choosing to buy one pre-built means you won’t have to worry about the project eating into your schedule and taking time away from your other obligations.
Despite these advantages, there are some disadvantages that could be deal-breakers for you:
• Cost — Paying for the design work and labor involved in getting a new shed can be much more expensive than trying to build it yourself. Depending on your budget, this could result in having to make some compromises.
• Customization — Although many manufacturers offer a wide range of options for customization your shed, there’s always a chance that you won’t be able to get exactly what you want. You’ll be locked into whatever they have to offer, meaning you may not end up with something that meets all your needs.
• Installation Challenges — If your property features challenging terrain or your intended spot has access issues, it can add a lot to the cost of your new shed. The complexity of your installation may not be obvious to you when you place your order, which can come as an expensive surprise.
Deciding between building and buying a new shed can be a difficult decision, but working with Reeds Ferry Sheds® can make the process much easier. For more than 60 years in Greater Boston, we’ve been the custom shed builders to trust for high-quality sheds that meet their needs. We offer a wide range of shed styles to choose from, each one customized to offer the best aesthetics and performance in your backyard. If you want to learn more about how we can deliver the shed of your dreams, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.
