It used to be that garden sheds were seen as simple storage buildings, located in an out of the way place in the garden. This is no longer the case; garden sheds are now seen as part of the family living space, taking the form of offices, play houses and exercise rooms, complete with light, heat and water. Using a shed design plan is a great way to add value, space and function to your house while at the same time not breaking the bank.
Should you use a design and construct a storage building yourself?
You have decided that a storage shed is just what you need to meet your families increasing need for more space. You think about purchasing a prebuilt shed or a kit from a local retailer, but is it the right option for you? Will a prebuilt shed have enough storage area and a suitable floor plan or will you be compromising? What will you do if you find that in order to get to your most used equipment you have to empty the shed to reach it?
Finding a design that meets your exact needs, or designing the blueprint yourself, will be both satisfying and in the long term will probably save you time and money. Good shed design plans are laid out in a way that means you don’t need to be an expert. In fact, some simpler designs require no woodworking knowledge at all as they provide lists of everything you will need in addition to giving step by step instructions.
How do you select a design?
Storage shed design plans range from simple storage buildings, to gazebo’s, to buildings made to look like houses, complete with siding and shingles. You may be really drawn towards an elaborate shed design, but stop and think. Do you have the budget for all the required materials? Do you have the skill to build it or the means to hire others to help? What about ongoing maintenance costs? Will your elaborate shed complement your house and any existing buildings?
Following a quality shed design plan you will have a structure that will last for years. Before committing to a design remember that it may still be around in a decade; will you still enjoy looking at it every day?
As you would with any large purchase, take time to look at several designs even if you think the first one you see is perfect. Shed design plans can be found on the internet and at DIY stores, some being free, others costing a few dollars. You want to build a shed that looks good, will be long lasting and adds to the value of your home.
Building a storage shed instead of buying a kit can save you a significant amount of money. Using good plans and spending time to get everything right the first time can avoid a costly disaster.
With any construction project, your first step needs to be to contact your local planning department and home owners association. They will advise on permits, requirements and any restrictions on your proposed building.
Think about what you will be using your storage shed for before you buy your plan. It’s design and construction will likely vary greatly depending on if you will use it just to store your yard tools or if you will use it as a potting shed, workshop or even garage. Also decide if you will need water and electricity running or if insulation and windows will be sufficient.
Storage shed plans vary greatly so you need to decide the size and style you need it to be prior to your final purchase. Think about the location of the shed, how you will get to it and, if you have severe weather, how strong it will need to be.
Look at different storage shed plans before deciding on the one to use. You can find them at home improvement stores and book shops as well as on the internet. Good plans will include complete listings of all the materials and tools you will need, as well as step by step instructions. This information will give an idea of the level of expertise and cost of the project. This is important as you will know the required budget, time and skill set necessary to complete the project ahead of time.
