Does anyone have any experience with the wood shed kits?
Question:I'm thinking of buying one of the kits with plans and metal brackets, probably in an 8 x 10 size. You supply the 2 x 4s. We are hoping to complete in a long weekend.
Answers:
I'd say you'd be just as well without the kit.
I purchased a shed kit about ten years ago, btu must have been different from what you are describing. It had all the framing, siding, etc. I was not real happy with it. I did finish assembly in two days.
They work well and are easy.. it usually takes a weekend..
The hard issues are the base.. are you having a foundation or not.. or will it be sitting on the ground.. If so elevate it slightly with treated lumber. (some local building codes do not require a permit if you do not have a foudation so...)
The second issue is KEEP IT SQUARE in the floor layout and make sure it is square when you put up the walls... once it is nailed/screwed/glued together it is hard to correct. (personal experience)
As in everything in life you get what you pay for. DIY kind of people save money buy providing the labor. Building your own shed is only one step up from putting together a new entertainment center from IKEA. Choose your studs one at a time instead of buying a bundle or having them dropped off. The quality of wood isn't what it used to be. Upgrades are lke details and they make the difference. Use treated lumbar for the bottom parts that will be in contact or close to the ground, this will pay off in the long run. Consider screws instead of nails, screws stay put where nails allow the wood to move and warp. Never set your new shed on the dirt, use concrete blocks/stepping stones to get it up off the ground, and using gravel underneath keeps the moisture down under the shed preventing rot. Instal a window or two and vent the overhead. Don't go cheap on the hindges and buy heavier duty hardware than is suggested. The biggest problem with a shed is that the doors warp or the hindges warp and makes it hard to open and close the door(s). Asphalt shingles are O.K. but consider a metal roof, it will last longer, weather storms better, and now comes in all kinds of colors and designs. These projects can be done in a weekend by a novice(s). The key is to have a plan, set goals, and stay busy. If you have help set up other projects for your help while you are doing jobs that only one person can do at a time. Such as, if you plan to paint the trim boards around the outside of the shed have your help prepaint them. You can cut them to fit later and touch up the nail hole easily, this eliminates accidentally painting the siding. Paint them on both sides for a better long term seal. Build in this order, floor/deck first, walls second, truss and roof third, siding forth, and doors last. Good Luck and happy building.
I built my 16x20 over a weekend,buy the kit,follow the instructions and you should be ok as long as you have a little mechanical ability and common sense.not that bad to do.
You can complete it in a weekend, but you will need at least on extra set of hands.
And some good cordless drills and drivers with back-up batteries.
i bought one two years ago, but i poured a concrete slab and bolted the shed to the slab. works great. it aint goin nowhere. oh, you cannot do it alone.
do you have an 84 lumber or other lumber yard close by? many of them have shed kits that have all you need to build it, all lumber, siding, roofing, hardware, etc. & come with instructions. this may be the simplest way for you to go. i've seen the kit things in mags, i was not impressed. food for thought. good luck.
More Related Questions & Answers...