Wooden sheds are a fun do it yourself project, but buying them is easier (in most cases), so which way do you go?  A lot of what you choose to do depends on your level of expertise with building projects and how much time and money you have.

The case for building.

If you have a weekend or two of time and like to do things on your own, then you will probably want to build your shed.  When you build your structure, the best way to get what you want is to buy a set of shed plans.  This way you know exactly what you need to get as far as supplies go and you know how to put it together.

There are also wooden storage shed kits on the market that allow you to buy everything in one kit – hardware, lumber, shingles, and plan.  This is a great medium step in between buying a storage shed and building one.

The case for buying.

If you have more money than time, then you may want to buy a shed.  There are many nice wooden sheds available to order online, or you can find them locally.  Buying a shed is much quicker than building and the results are instant.

Another good option if you want to buy a shed is to look for used wooden sheds.  Just be sure they are no rotted out boards before you take a used shed home.

A few things you should know about wooden storage sheds whether you build or buy.

When you are installing a shed or building from a shed plan, you need to check with your local building code and association rules to see what types of sheds are allowed.   Different communities allow different types of sheds and some don’t allow sheds at all, so it is always good to check the rules before you start.

Another thing that you should consider when putting up a wooden shed is the foundation.  If you lay a concrete foundation for your shed, it will last much longer than if you build it directly on the ground.  Pressure treated lumber will also help keep your shed looking nice for a long time.

Finally, when you go to paint your shed be sure to use primer first and then paint, and always use oustide (never indoor) grade paint.   Latex paint workds great and will wear well as long as you use the primer step.  When you are staining, you also need to use exterior grade stain.

Sheds are versatile structures that can hold a lot of outdoor type of equipment.  You can use them as workshops, gardening centers, bicycle storage, or playhouses.  The uses are really only limited by your imagination and the design of the wooden shed.

There never seems to be enough places to put stuff.  If you are anything like me, then you always need extra storage space.  Wood storage sheds are the perfect option.  But buying them at your local home improvement store can get a bit pricey, especially for some of the nicer shed designs. You can save hundreds of dollars though by building your own shed instead.  Here are some tips to help you choose the right plan.

Pick a plan that is functional and matches your style: Sheds don’t have to be ugly.  They can look really nice and still be very functional.  In fact, many sheds now look almost like mini houses.  The good news is that good looking shed don’t have to be any harder to build than plain sheds.  You just need a good set of plans.

Be sure your plans are complete: It defeats the purpose of a wood storage shed plan if it doesn’t contain the necessary information to build it properly or if it is difficult or hard to read.  These are the things you want to look for in your plans:  You will need schematics and illustrations.  You will want a materials and tools list, and you will want plans that even a beginner can understand.   In particular the supplies list and tools list will save you a lot of money, because you will be prepared to build your shed quickly and easily.

Building wood storage sheds can be a fun and rewarding process, and it can save you a lot of money to boot.

When it comes to building a storage shed, the thing you need most are quality shed designs. Otherwise, you are flying blind and you will waste a lot of time and money (I’m speaking from experience).

The big question is what kind of storage shed plans do you really need?  Here are a few things to look for, so that you can get the right plans for you.

Determine what you will use your shed for: Sheds can be used for many purposes including, a playhouse, a home office, a garden shed, or simply storage. Storage is very important if your wooden garage doors are bursting at the seems like mine.  The design of your shed will change depending on the type of shed that you want.  Be sure to get the right type of design for you.  My preference when buying plans is to get plan sets, so that I have options.

Make sure your plans are clear and complete: You would think that all storage building plans would come with everything you need to buy your supplies and build your shed, but unfortunately they don’t.  Make sure that your shed has not only detailed plans, but also schematics, a tool list, and a supply list.  Trust me, these will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Opt for digital downloads: You are probably buying storage shed plans to save money right?  If so, your best value will usually come from plans that you can download.  Because there is no printing cost, you can usually get multiple plans (sometimes thousands) for the same price as just one plan on paper.  Then the choice is up to you, you can print the plans out or work on them from your computer.  Either way, it is a great value.