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Why build your own shed?
Well, I just don't like the ones you see for sale in shops, they are flimsy and expensive, my DIY shed is neither of these things.
Additionally it is exactly the size I want, and built to my spec.
...and I think it looks nice - if you like the cube look.

You'll find additional info here: http://www.yourmissus.com/shed/
 
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Step 1: Preparation

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I wanted a shed for my garden, I also wanted a hot-tub and/or a ride on lawnmower.
Both of these are big, so I'll be needing a shed with wide doors. I also wanted a square shed, most sheds in the DIY shops are rectangular.
I also wanted a shed with a reasonably high door, so I don't have to duck to get in - a reasonably high door also means a reasonably high ceiling. I wanted a pavillion type roof because they look cool, and because flat roofs are generally boring and are a leak just waiting to happen.
Don't you just hate sheds that wobble or worse move in the wind? Mine doesn't wobble!
It doesn't wobble because the shed has four four inch corner posts that are integral to the shed, but are also sunk 2 feet into the ground at all 4 corners. This makes for a very secure and stable shed.
It is this idea that really sets my shed design apart from other people's.

The first step of building a shed is to choose the location, I used a few lengths of wood to mark it out full size and also to get an idea of level.
Once I had decided where the shed was going I spent a few minutes viewing the location from various parts of the house and garden to make sure I was happy with it.
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ralcorn2 says: Jun 14, 2013. 8:46 PM
Nice
koubain says: Mar 5, 2012. 4:32 AM
good and straightforward steps to build a chicken coop or a shed if you like
Planner Dude says: Apr 28, 2011. 6:45 AM
how much did it cost to build?
iceberg742 says: Apr 11, 2011. 12:28 PM
Hiya i'm just wondering did you use swa cable or ensured that the cable had any outter protection.
ctrlaltdelete says: Feb 7, 2010. 6:07 PM
How'd you screw in those horizonal bits between the veritical shenanigans.
ps. i don't know builders jargon.
WoodburnerUK in reply to ctrlaltdeleteJan 21, 2011. 5:13 AM
Yes, that's the bit that always seems to get left out. What is actually holding the thing together.
courtney825 says: Mar 27, 2010. 10:35 PM
thanks for this!
Turnip123 says: Oct 23, 2009. 8:49 PM
Awesome guide, going to get started on my shed tomorrow.

Just a little FYI though, your intro was pasted into the middle of your Build page making it kind of confusing.
toastyboy (author) in reply to Turnip123Nov 19, 2009. 3:16 AM
 Thanks Turnip123.

Jolly good luck with your shed, let me know how it goes!

Dan
andyrak says: Mar 24, 2009. 6:59 AM
It's coming along great but you might want to add some image-by-image instructions... Is the floor floating? What are you painting onto the wood? I thought the grid might be metal for the floor but it could be wood, hard to tell. Is the floor floating off the ground or resting on it... etc... Cool work though!
andyrak in reply to andyrakMar 24, 2009. 7:02 AM
Sorry, noticed that instructions for these pictures are on the next page... it might be helpful to pull relevant instructions onto this page so they clarify the images rather than having people jump back and forth between the pages to read and view...
nrepak in reply to andyrakMay 25, 2009. 5:03 PM
Just view them all on one page
andyrak says: Mar 24, 2009. 7:09 AM
It's a sweet design. Might you add some detail of the roofing structure? I think there was one shot from the outside that showed it a bit but no detail of any of the framing... Thanks for posting it!
MD_Willington says: May 22, 2008. 4:34 PM
One thing to keep in mind, in some locales, I know it true for my place in WA State USA, if you permanently anchor the building to the property, then it will increase the your property taxes and you'll need a building permit before building it. If you build the shed on pads then you're not on the hook, since it is non permanent structure, i.e. you can sell it to bob down the street without the dirt it is sitting on. Also, some places have inspectors that show up to measure the size of an out building, thanks to nosy busy body neighbours, so watch out. Good job toastyboy !
jeff.pdx in reply to MD_WillingtonJan 29, 2009. 2:23 PM
In Oregon you don't need a permit for buildings smaller than 200 sq ft that are uninhabited. Other states have similar guidelines.
foobear in reply to MD_WillingtonJul 2, 2008. 4:57 PM
Thanks for this tip. What are pads?
MD_Willington in reply to foobearJul 2, 2008. 6:14 PM
A pad is generally a block of concrete, either bought or mixed and poured by the builder, not a permanent foundation.
foobear in reply to MD_WillingtonJul 3, 2008. 3:04 AM
ah cool, ic, thx
toastyboy (author) in reply to MD_WillingtonMay 23, 2008. 2:07 AM
Thanks! Sheds aren't considered permanent here in the UK. Regarding size, you are allowed 15square metres of floor area for a shed before you need permission. This one is less than 6 square metres. Nice to hear from you. -Dan
l96470fps in reply to toastyboyMar 7, 2009. 11:41 AM
where abouts in the uk? if in dorset could you give me advice on where to find a cheap (under 180 pounds) 8 x 6 shed
toastyboy (author) in reply to l96470fpsMar 8, 2009. 5:30 AM
I'm in bristol. This shed cost about £400, you just won't get a decent shed for 180quid. But building one will be better than buying a prefabbed one. Good luck
l96470fps in reply to toastyboyMar 8, 2009. 6:07 AM
i forgot to put that i didnt mind second hand/used, but thanks anyway, i live in bournemouth, and ive seen new ones for 199 but it was the wrong layout for my workshop, so just as long as its sturdy, thanks alot, l96470fps
MD_Willington in reply to toastyboyMay 23, 2008. 10:26 AM
That's cool. I have a shed in my yard, quite old, 15'x13', needs to be replaced, the original house structure was built in 1893 at my place, the shed is probably half that age and it shows. LOL.
here's the URL to my very old shed: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v155/MDWillington1976/Broadway/?action=view&current=Whitman9934584h.jpg

Cheers!
mr.space in reply to MD_WillingtonMay 23, 2009. 9:48 AM
grrr... you people with your modern homes, whats wrong with a little wattle + dorbe?
syco123 in reply to mr.spaceMar 22, 2012. 12:50 PM
"whats wrong with a little wattle + dorbe?"
The spelling?
.
.
.
.
:p
toastyboy (author) in reply to mr.spaceMay 25, 2009. 5:52 AM
My house is from the 1930's... Hardly modern.. No wattle and dorbe here though, but we do have plaster and lath
mr.space in reply to toastyboyMay 27, 2009. 2:29 AM
haha, mine was build in the 1700's... it's build with wook from an old ship... and lots of oak
syco123 in reply to mr.spaceMar 22, 2012. 12:53 PM
I don't have any wook from an old ship, but I did once know a wookie and he had an old ship. It didn't look much but it could make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.
toastyboy (author) in reply to MD_WillingtonMay 23, 2008. 11:24 AM
15'x13' is a big shed!! My garage is 18'x8' at one end and x 13' at the other, so similar sized to your shed, and that was built with the same technique. Thanks for your interest, and good luck with your build. -Dan
aholgate says: Oct 8, 2008. 11:59 AM
That is a very nice (built like a brick %$@% house!) shed..
toastyboy (author) in reply to aholgateNov 1, 2008. 2:43 AM
Thanks! It's certainly sturdy, I think it'll outlive me!! ;-)
DrBlind says: May 22, 2008. 2:00 PM
what did you do for the door? and a ramp?
toastyboy (author) in reply to DrBlindMay 23, 2008. 2:08 AM
Hi, This shed has two opening doors, I just made them the same way as the walls, only with a bit of diagonal bracing for strengh. No ramp yet... Cheers for your interest -Dan
pacey_waring says: May 19, 2008. 9:32 AM
are you planning on staining or painting it?
toastyboy (author) in reply to pacey_waringMay 20, 2008. 12:39 AM
Actually, no. The wood is already treated (it's tanalised) and after a few years it starts to go a nice silvery colour. So I'll just leave it like that I think, plus my climatus plants are really starting to cover it now. Thanks for your interest -Dan
GorillazMiko says: May 17, 2008. 4:57 PM
Dang it, I really want to do this, like, really really bad, but it's too hard for me.

Wait!

Maybe my dad could help.
And pay.

+5/5 stars.
(added to favorites)
toastyboy (author) in reply to GorillazMikoMay 18, 2008. 5:15 AM
Go for it Gorillaz!! It's not that hard, just take your time and measure everything twice. The key is getting the 4 posts level, square and the same distance apart (use your ply wood to space them out) Once you get started the build won't take long. Good luck, let me know how you get on. -Dan
waylonis says: May 15, 2008. 1:46 PM
Nice design and implementation. With respect to footings, I've read about (but not used) ones with a plastic base and 4"-Schedule 40 PVC as the riser out of the ground with no need to pour concrete to stabilize. The company is RediFooting: http://www.redifooting.com
toastyboy (author) in reply to waylonisMay 15, 2008. 11:17 PM
Hi Waylonis, That's an interesting footing system, to be honest digging the holes for my shed and then levelling the posts and pouring the concrete was a bit of a drag, that system looks much easier. Thanks for posting (get it? POSTing!!!) -Dan
darkmuskrat says: May 15, 2008. 12:28 PM
good job :P
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