What You’ll Need
Knowing how to build a shed means you have all the tools and materials you need. You won’t need to run back and forth to the hardware store several times during your project.
Let’s take a look at what you will need, then talk about how to build a shed step by step.
Step 1- Find a Level Area
The first step to building your shed is finding a level area that is large enough for your foundation, which will be 4’x10′. This area needs to be completely level in order to ensure the doors work properly and your shed stands straight.
If you need to, dig out any spots that are too high or add fill where there are depressions until the ground is level. Once you have a good area dug out, use a spirit level to check it one more time. Make sure your foundation will fit in this space, then mark off the corners with stakes so you don’t lose track of the perfect spot.
Step 2 – Buy Shed Plans
Once you’ve decided the type of shed you want, it’s important to make sure that you get the right plans for it. It’s worth taking some time to examine them closely and make sure there are no errors or anything that may cause problems. The information below will help you choose plans, but first I’ll discuss why plans are so important.
Step 3 – Building a Shed Base
The next step is to build the base for your shed. This step provides a solid foundation on which to build, and will make sure the floor doesn’t rot due to damp. There are a few different types of base you can choose from, each with their own benefits and drawbacks:
- Gravel – easy to install but not recommended for smaller sheds or those in areas that receive heavy rainfall
- Concrete – suitable for all sizes of shed when mixed correctly but can be hard work, especially if you have no previous experience
- Timber Base – The timber base is the most common option, as it’s relatively easy to construct and works well with most shed materials. If you’re going for this option (and we recommend you do), then follow these steps:
Step 4 – Create the Floor Frame for Your Shed
It’s time to start building the floor frame. This is constructed using 4×4 lumber. The floor frame will be placed on top of the skids and supported by the 6×6 corner posts.
You will need these tools:
Miter saw or hand saw / circular saw
Drill with driver bits and wrenches for bolts
Lumber Dimensions: (4) 2x4x8 boards for joists (2) 4x4x8 boards for band boards (3) 2x4x8 blocks
Step 5 – Assemble Wall Frames for Your Shed
- Nail plates to one end of the studs.
- Nail plates to the other end of the studs.
- Nail the studs together to form a rectangle.
Step 6 – Attach Walls to the Floor of Your Shed
- Attach the walls to each other
- Attach the walls to the floor and make sure each joint is solid, secure, and level
- If you’re not making a shed with a foundation, you’ll need to attach plywood to the top of your floor and make sure it’s level. As with your flooring panels, add some extra wood around all four edges so that it overhangs by at least three inches. If you’re using concrete blocks as your foundation, use a straight piece of scrap wood or metal bar as a spacer. This will help you keep all of your panels at the same height so they’re flush against each other when they’re installed on top of the cinder blocks.
Step 7 – Add Wall Framing to Your Shed Walls
Using a level and a tape measure, mark where you will place each stud along the bottom plate.
Use your chalk line to snap a level line for the bottom plate on both walls.
Begin with the corner studs. Double check that the corner pieces are square.
If you have siding or sheathing, use an angle finder to make sure your walls are plumb (straight up-and-down) and that your top and bottom plates are level (horizontal).
Step 8 – Position and Attach Roof Trusses for Your Shed
Before positioning the roof trusses, set the gable side of the shed on top of a wall frame to mark out how high you want the piers to be. Using this measurement, use a chalk line and builder’s level to ensure that your pier blocks are positioned correctly.
Then, attach 2x4s from the front rim joist of your shed to the back rim joist, making sure that they’re spaced 16″ apart. Place a roof truss on top of this assembly, measuring diagonally from corner to corner. Make sure that each corner is square before moving on; if not, adjust them until you get an accurate measurement for both sides. Cut out any additional framing members required with your circular saw and attach them so that they’re level and square. Repeat this process with all other roof trusses before attaching them with metal tie plates.
Step 9 – Install Roofing On Your Garden Shed
Congratulations! You’re almost at the finish line!
In this step, you will install roofing on your garden shed. Here’s what you have to do:
- Install roof plywood
- Install drip edge
- Install ridge cap
- Nail down roofing felt
- Install shingles
Step 10- Shingle and Paint the Exterior of Your Shed
Shingle the roof of your shed. Once the sheathing is complete and all joints are covered, you will start putting on the shingles in courses from bottom to top. Each course should overlap the course below by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Nail each shingle in place. Be sure to cover every square foot of space with at least one piece of shingle and use full pieces whenever possible.
Paint your finished structure. If you plan to paint your shed, it’s best to complete this step quickly after finishing construction so that you don’t have to worry about insects or small animals making a home inside while it sits uncovered for weeks on end. Determine how much paint you need using an online calculator like www.paintshedcalculator.com or by consulting with a representative at your local hardware store for assistance.[21]
Now you know how to build your own shed
Oops! Click Regenerate Content below to try generating this section again.First and foremost, congratulations on your new shed! Regardless of why you’re getting a shed, we know it’s going to serve you well. In this guide, we’ll help you get your new shed set up using DIY instructions.
If this is your first time building anything like a shed, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through the process step by step with easy-to-follow instructions and photo diagrams when necessary. With our guide and a little bit of patience, anyone can build their own shed at home.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. And we know it can be hard to figure out what to do next.
No matter what kind of project you’re tackling—whether it’s [digital marketing](https://www.textbroker.com/blog/seo-writing-guide-for-advertisers), [writing a business proposal](https://www.textbroker.com/blog/perfect-business-proposal), or building a shed [1]—following this one simple rule will help you stay on task:
Take it one step at a time!
That’s right. It’s as simple as that! So, let’s get into it with our DIY instructions for how to build a shed:
1) You need some space
2) Make sure you have the materials
3) It’s time to start building! Let’s do this!
Have you ever wanted to build a shed, but for one reason or another didn’t know where to start?
Well, you have come to the right place! In this guide we will be describing in detail the process of building a shed from beginning to end. You will not need any tools at first, but as you progress through the building process you will need your hammer, screwdriver, and nails.
You may get dirty during this project. We recommend wearing old pants and a t-shirt that is okay to get paint on.
Before we begin please make sure you have clear access to the area in which you want your shed built. Please ensure that there are no electric lines overhead or pipes underground where your shed will be.
Building a shed isn’t as difficult as it can seem—especially when you have a guide to help you out. If you have a few extra hours and a little know-how, anyone can build a shed.
You might think that only an expert carpenter could build their own shed, but that’s not true! And even if you’ve never built anything before, we’ll walk you through the steps and make this easy for you to understand. You’ll be able to build the perfect shed with these simple tips. There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to say, “I built this!”
The first thing you need are good plans. You can either purchase plans from home improvement stores or online retailers like Amazon, or you can download them for free from websites like MyOutdoorPlans and Ana White.
Once you’ve got your plans squared away, take some time to read through them carefully before jumping in. Our next step will be gathering the materials for your shed—that means hitting up the hardware store! It’s important to get everything on your list before starting construction because once the project starts, it can be difficult to stop mid-way through just to run out and pick up supplies.
It’s not as hard as you think to build a shed.
You’ll need:
A shovel
A hammer
And a level
Step 1: Find your materials
Assemble your materials and tools, which should include:
A shovel, a hammer, and a level
Step 2: Dig the foundation
Dig the foundation and make sure it is level using your level.
For some of us, the idea of building a shed is the stuff of nightmares.
For others, it’s the stuff of dreams.
Either way, if you’ve got a shed-shaped hole in your life or you’re just looking to up your DIY game, we’ve got you covered.
With the right tools and a little knowhow, building your own shed is easy. Here’s how you can do it yourself.
