5 Things to Consider Before Building a Shed

Building a shed can be an exciting way to add some storage space in your back yard. Whether you need an area to store garden supplies, household tools or other home improvement items, a shed offers the perfect space for storage. Of course, building your own shed is quite a project. Even if you've decided that you want a new shed, you may have no idea how you should begin building a shed. The great news is that it is easy to find helpful tips, plans and other information to guide you, especially if you have access to the internet. When you're ready to begin building your own shed, here are a few helpful steps to follow.

Step 1: Check Local Building Codes

First, it's important to take time to check your local building codes before you begin building a shed. Check with your chamber of commerce to find out what building codes you may need to follow with your shed's construction. These codes may affect where you place the shed, the design of your shed and how it is constructed. The last thing you want to do is build your shed, only to find that you have not followed local codes correctly. It's much easier to check into local codes before you get started.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size and Style

After checking into your local building codes, the next step is to choose the right size and style for your shed. As you begin looking at shed building plans, you'll find that many different options are available. When building a shed, you can choose different sizes, various styles and more. When choosing the shed, the size will be important. Consider how you want to use the shed and the room that you'll need, which will help you decide on the right size. Take into consideration the style of your home and property. This will help you choose the right style for the shed you plan to build.

Step 3: Decide on the Function and Location

Next, you'll need to decide on the function and location for your shed. The function is going to be important, since it will have a big impact on the location for your shed. For example, if you want to use your shed to store your gardening supplies, then you'll probably want the shed to be located near the garden area. After all, you want the shed to be located near the location where it will be used most often. It's no fun to have a shed full of gardening supplies if it's a long way from your garden.

Step 4: Look for Any Problems Near the Construction Site

When building a shed, you also need to look for any problems near the construction site you have chosen. If you have a lot of trees in your yard, then consider whether the leaves or branches will fall and cause problems with the roof or foundation. Sometimes tree roots may pose a problem as well, which is another consideration to keep in mind. If you don't have an open area for the shed, consider having a tree removed. Also, make sure that your construction site is level and ensure it offers good drainage. You don't want water to sit around your shed because the area has bad drainage.

Step 5: Pay Attention to the Extra Features

Last, pay attention to the extra features when building a shed. Look for features that will help improve the function of your shed. For example, if you need to keep various tools within the shed, look for great shelving options that offer plenty of storage space. You may also want to add some exterior features that make your shed look even better on the outside, such as decorative trim, shutters and a nice paint job. Although the fun features aren't the most important part of the shed, it's nice to look for shed plans that offer features that make your shed just a bit nicer.

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