Build Your Own Storage Shed!

Hello Instructables!  This is my entry into the Shopbot Contest.  This Instructable will show you the steps to building your own shed.   We decided that our shed would be for storage because we wanted to get some stuff out of the garage so we can use it as a shop.  One of the challenges of building a shed in our backyard was that the ground was sloped in the area that we wanted to put it, so we had to find a way to get around that.  Another was that we are building beside some well established trees, and we didn't want to harm their root structure.  This is why we went with cinderblock and mortar rather than poured concrete.

WARNING:  In our town we do not need any permits to build a shed as long as it is under 10x10.  Please check your area for regulations on building structures with/without a permit.

Step 1: Ground Breaking

We decided to construct the foundation of our shed out of cinderblocks.  This will help keep out any rodents, and doesn't risk harming the trees beside the shed.  In order to lay a good foundation, we first had to level out the ground. We didn't need to level out the middle of the structure's base because that was later filled with limestone screening.  We made channels for the cinderblocks with spades and a pickaxe, and made sure to create a channel for the electrical as well.  The electricity comes from our house, which is about 10 feet away from where the shed stands.

Comments

[ebosloor]

I have a small garage at home, but apparently have a decent backyard. I have always wanted to make some space and storage for some of my items in the garage and at home. Reading this forum helped me plan to build a mobile storage shed for my backyard. Why mobile? So that I could shift it when I needed to.

[NathanaelScheffler]

Glad that the instructable helped! We couldn't do anything like that with ours because we have lots of wildlife in our neighborhood and they like to take up residence in any warm or sheltered spots

[MarkSindone]

Thanks for sharing your detailed step-by-step DIY guide, especially the part about filling in the sloped ground area. Our backyard is similar to yours and we have been contemplating on the various materials to use to level up the sloped ground area. Now, we have the idea and are ready to start on our own DIY storage shed. Extra space is always needed especially when things keep getting piled up around the house each day. Thanks again and your storage shed looks great!

[blakeparsons2]

Hello,
This was a helpful article on getting a sturdy shed up. I am thinking of building but have been shopping for storage sheds in hendersonville nc as well. Your step by steps helped me get a grip on the task ahead!
Thank you for the insight, Blake

[NathanaelScheffler]

Glad I could help!

[imlouisehale]

Simple,but there's a daunting when you sight at first and has a durable made.

[url=http://www.rent2ownstoragesheds.com/]Amish Portable Storage[/url]

[DaProject]

Great instructable!

[NathanaelScheffler]

thanks!

[eyehaveaphd]

Very good job and a fun project. It is so expensive no days going to the builders store. I did not see how much money you had invested in the project and what was the size again?

[NathanaelScheffler]

I should have included that. It cost us about $1300 and took quite a while to build. The shed measures 9.5'x9.5'.

[eyehaveaphd]

Good job and it will last for a long time.

[Hallmar]

Your shed looks awesome,man i will build one like that in the future.

[pheenix42]

Woops, was going to make a comment about local building permits, but you got it covered!

[NathanaelScheffler]

Yeah, I made sure to include that becasue I don't want to give anyone ideas and then have them get in trouble because their township doesn't have the same rules as ours.