Shed Plans - Why You Need Them

Building your own shed is a rewarding project that anyone can undertake, even if those with no previous carpentry experience. Having said this however, you can’t just pick up a hammer and nails and expect to build a perfect shed.

The best way to ensure a well built, professional looking shed is to find a comprehensive set of shed plans to guide you through the construction process.

You can find shed plans online, in book stores and at DIY retailers, but before buying any you need to do your homework. You need to think about the purpose of your shed. Will it be a place to store tools or equipment like your lawn mower, shovels and rakes, or do you want a potting shed or office?

If you intend to use the shed for storage purposes a basic plan may be all that you need, but do take time to count and measure your equipment so you know how much floor space you need. There is nothing worse than building a shed only to find it is too small.

For sheds that are going to be potting sheds, work shops or offices you need to consider furniture and shelving, lighting, heating, and water. Imagine yourself working in your shed and decide how many work surfaces you want, how high they will be and how much room to move around you will need. Will sunlight be adequate to light and heat your work area or will you need to run electricity to your shed? For potting sheds do you want to have to carry water from the house to your shed or do you want to have running water?

Another important decision is what foundation you will need. If you live in a colder climate where the ground freezes and thaws or have heavy equipment to store then you need a permanent, concrete foundation. For small workshops or storage sheds in moderate climates an on grade foundation made of wood or concrete blocks will suffice.

Once you have decided what you need then you can start looking for quality shed plans. There are thousands of shed plans available, but they really vary in quality. Be sure that the plans you select include detailed diagrams and measurements of all aspects of the shed, list all tools and hardware required and have a complete materials list including a cut list so you know exactly how much wood you will need and how it should be cut.

Before you buy your plans and start building you have one last thing to do. Check with both your town building inspector and your home owners association to find out if there are any specific requirements (location, design, height and shape) or permits that are required. You may also want to show your plans to the building inspector for review to make sure they meet local building codes.