5 Tips to Help Make it Happen

An article by guest blogger Samantha Black

Yes, it is possible to build a shed by yourself; although it is a project that might be more fun with some friends to help you. But if you have your heart set on taking it on solo, we have a few tips to help you get it completed. 

Tip #1: Brainstorm Your Shed’s Details

If you’re planning to build your shed by yourself, it’s important to have a really good idea of what you want before you begin. That means writing down as many details as you possibly can. Here are some examples you may want to start with: 

• What will be the purpose of the shed? Do you plan to use it to store gardening supplies or lawn equipment? Will it be a workshop? An office? A studio? 
• Where will the shed be located? Do you have to make any changes to the landscape in order to accommodate it? 
• How big do you need the shed to be? Do you have enough space to build what you want? 
• What are some must-haves that you want for your shed? Would you like it to have windows? A fancy door? Shutters? A porch or patio? 
• Who will be using the shed and how can you help it suit their needs? For example, if you’re building it for gardening, but your husband would like a space for a workshop, can you make that happen? 

There’s nothing wrong with adding some of the more minor details later on. But you’ll want to make sure you have as much information as possible down on paper. This will help you make your vision for your shed come together. 

Tip #2: Start With a Quality Shed Plan

Building a shed can be a lot of fun, but that does not make it easy. People build their own sheds all the time instead of calling a professional to do it for them. You can do the same, but first, you’ll want to start with a shed plan. 

Because of your brainstorming, you are well aware of what size shed you want to build. You’ll want to find a shed plan that fits your needs and explains every step of what you need to do. For example, you’ll want to find a shed plan that: 

• Can give you information on what types of permits you might need prior to starting your shed building project. 
• Can tell you exactly what tools you will need to complete your shed from start to finish. 
• Will break down the exact materials you will need to build your shed, including all of the appropriate measurements. 
• Will guide you through every step of the building process, including building your foundation, assembling the floor and framing the walls. 
• Will assist you in making the shed your own with the details you want it to have. 

Tip #3: Gather All Your Materials and Tools

Once you have your shed plan in hand, go through it carefully. Start with your tools and make sure you have everything that is listed in the shed plan. When you are confident that you do, you can start working on gathering the appropriate materials for your shed. 

It might be easiest to take your shed plan directly to your local hardware store or lumber outlet. They can help you by cutting the wood pieces you need and making sure you have it all. Many will even offer to deliver your lumber directly to your home, which can save you a lot of stress and time. 

Tip #4: Take Your Time

Finally, you have everything you need to build your shed. You have all of the tools that are specified in the plan. Your hardware store has delivered the materials and they are all cut to the appropriate size. You’re excited, and for good reason. All that’s left to do now is build your shed. 

You may be tempted to hurry through the building process because you’re so excited to see the finished product. But we want to offer you a word of caution – slow down and take your time. There is no reason to rush, even if you think you might be on a tight deadline. It’s better to take your time and think each step through carefully before proceeding. That will help to ensure that you don’t miss anything that is critical to your project. 

Remember: you want your shed build to be done well, and that doesn’t always mean that it will be done quickly. If you’re building this shed by yourself, it’s important to give yourself a bit of grace. Deadlines will only make you frustrated. Simply relax and enjoy the process. 

Tip #5: Admire Your Handiwork

Once the last screw has been screwed in and the last roofing shingle has been laid, it’s time to stand back and enjoy your handiwork. 

You did it! You built a shed all by yourself and it wasn’t even as scary as you thought it might be. There is a deep sense of pride that people experience when they finish building projects on their own without anyone else’s input or help. You should feel incredibly proud of your accomplishment. 

Get Started on Your Shed Project Today

If you’ve been putting off building your shed because you weren’t sure about doing it on your own, it’s time to put that negative way of thinking behind you. You can build your own shed, and you can do it just as well as any professional as long as you have the right shed plan. You’ll love building your own shed. We promise, you won’t regret it. 

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Samantha Black is an Outreach Manager at Mediage LLC, a company that provides dozens of free plans to support DIYers in their quest for the perfect project. They’re constantly expanding their library of plans to cover every backyard shed need under the sun. They offer free construction advice and support for your project long after you download your plans. Their team of professionals has more than 5 years of experience in the industry and they put that knowledge to work for their customers. Their designers are all certified Autodesk pros and they strive for the highest possible quality and customer satisfaction.