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How to Build a Shed - Our Experience

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Building Our Backyard Storage Shed

We were running out of storage space in our small carport tool shed and decided to build a simple 7 ft x 8 ft storage shed in the backyard. Though my husband is an electrician, we opted to build a storage shed without electricity which made the job much easier (and cheaper). No building permits were required because the zoning in Honolulu county allows you to forgo the permit if the structure is no larger than 10 ft x 10 ft.

We built this shed on a "pay as you go" basis, meaning we worked on it when money and time allowed. We've always done DIY jobs and have accumulated a lot of tools and knowledge over the years. Still, there is always something new to learn on most projects. Check your local building codes, take advantage of online DIY resources, and get to know the most knowledgable of the staff at your local home improvement store if needed.

We don't claim to be experts in this building process; the purpose of this lens is to share our experience. You should do whatever works for you and what is allowed in your area. Good luck, always work safely during construction and wear your safety goggles!

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

The Form for the Concrete Slab Foundation

Making the Form for Shed's FoundationTo create the form for pouring the cement slab, we used 2x4s held up by steel spikes driven into the ground. It took a total of 17 batches in a small concrete mixer to make the concrete slab foundation 3 1/2" thick. Of course, we don't have to worry about freezing temperatures here in Hawaii, so our foundation doesn't need to be as thick as it would if we were building in some parts of the mainland.

Our major points of concern before we began mixing the cement was to make sure the form was square, the ground was tamped level and our wire mesh was in position.

There are some great how-to diy books on working with cement available if you've never worked with it before.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Build a Shed With Accurate Measurements

Using a Carpenters SquareMeasure twice. Cut once. Use a good carpenters square as a guide to make accurate cuts. Note the big X on the board.....we mark an X on the section of the board that will NOT be used in the project. This comes in especially handy when the cut pieces are close in size. It can also indicate a section of board which may be a little too warped or knotted to use.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

From the Builder's Bible....
MEASURE TWICE - CUT ONCE!

Tools and Equipment You May Need to Build a Shed

Ames True Temper Woodings 10-Inch by 10-Inch Tamper with 42-Inch Ash Handle 1133700

5 Cubic Feet Wheel Barrow Portable Cement Concrete Mixer

Fiskars 9669 Digging Shovel

Truper 30021 Tru Built 54-Inch Welded Garden Hoe, 6-Inch Head, Fiberglass Handle

4 piece Concrete Trowel Set

Komelon 7130 Monster MagGrip 30-Feet Measuring Tape with Magnetic End

DEWALT DC970K-2 18-Volt Drill/Driver Kit

Bostitch F21PL Round Head 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer with Positive Placement Tip and Magnesium Housing

Porter-Cable C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit

Stanley 51-402 FatMax 22-Ounce Checkered Face Framing Hammer

DEWALT DW715 15-Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter saw

Skil 5680-01 14 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Laser Beam

Stanley 43-648 48-Inch FatMax Xtreme Box Beam Level

Kapro 440-08 Line Level

Snap-On 870604 Red Carpenter Pencils and Pencil Sharpener, 11-Piece

Empire Level E250 12-Inch Heavy Duty Professional Combination Square w/Etched Stainless Steel Blade and True BlueR Vial

Newborn Brothers 930-GTD Gator Trigger Drip-Free Hex Rod Caulk Gun

Framing the Walls of Our Shed

Framing the Shed Walls Constructing one of the side wall frames for the shed. The pneumatic nail gun really makes the job go quickly.

Note: we built the frame to accomodate the dimensions of the odd-sized windows we got at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Positioning the Shed Walls

Positioning the Shed WallsThis is a two-man (or one man and one woman as in our case) job. It also helps to have some extra 2x4s around to serve as temporary supports while the walls are being placed into position.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Securing the Shed Walls

Securing the Walls Into the FoundationTo secure the walls to the foundation, we used large bolts that had been previously placed in the cement when it was leveled out, but still wet enough to manuever. The bolts' postitions were marked on the bottom 2x4s base plates and cooresponding holes were drilled into the wood.The framing was then lifted over the bolts, (that was fun - NOT!) and each section of the bottom plate was secured into place by a large washer and nut.

Remember to lay a strip of roof waterproof vapor barrier between the plywood and concrete before setting the wood down over the bolt. It helps to protect the wood from excess moisture (and we do get a lot of winter rain here.)

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Connecting the Shed Walls

Wood Shed FrameAll four walls are up and nailed together. We decided to build our own door (actually double doors) so a 4 ft wide opening was framed into the front wall. A 4 ft opening will make it easier to get bulkier equipment in and out of the storage shed.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Building Lingo and Terms

Learn the meaning of words like header, footer, toenailing, roof pitch, etc. It will help you to understand the basics of building and when you're constructing something, these are good things to know. :)
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Building the Truss

Shed Truss Built The truss was built and put into place one beam at a time. To build the truss, we had to figure out the height and pitch of the roof desired and then designed the truss around it.

truss: A rigid framework, as of wooden beams or metal bars, designed to support a structure, such as a roof.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Roof On and Shed Windows Installed

Shed with Installed Windows5/8 " plywood was nailed to the truss to form the shed's roof. The plywood was topped with roofing felt to help protect the wood until we pick our metal roofing.

The louvered windows are secured in the framed openings.

Back wall and one side of shed has T-111 exterior siding already up. There will be no insulation (none needed) so that saves additional time and money.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Build a Shed DIY Books

Pick a shed design that fits your needs.

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Exterior Walls of Shed

Outer Walls on ShedThe T-111 siding is on. After this, the double doors were built, but I forgot to take pictures of that step. Sorry.....

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Finishing the Shed

Double Doors on ShedThe double doors are hung! Also, if you look closely on the one side wall, you can see the windows have been framed out with 1x4s with butt corners (no fancy miter corners needed). :)

The exterior was then primed, caulked and painted. (see intro photo for finished look)

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Heavy Duty Hardware

Hardware on Shed DoorsThe heavy duty galvanized door hinges were also purchased at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for $1 each. We needed this very strong hardware to support the weight of the double doors to the shed. Hardware like this can be really expensive, so we were thrilled to get it so cheaply.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Storage Inside Shed

DIY Shelves Inside ShedNot hanging drywall or putting in insulation allows us more storage space inside the shed. We custom built extra deep shelves on the back wall of the shed. There is also a good amount of storage space available in the rafters overhead.

Note: the faded red portable cement mixer parked in the rear. It's saved us a lot of money over the years.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Storage Hardware

to help keep a shed organized.

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Do you have plans to build a shed someday? Or have you already built one?

  • Auntie-M May 13, 2012 @ 11:01 am | delete
    Yes, I am looking at sheds. Yours is really well done. Thanks.
  • LornsA178 May 4, 2012 @ 11:21 am | delete
    We need a new shed, I wish we are handy like you. Great idea. Thanks!
  • flicker Apr 17, 2012 @ 9:42 pm | delete
    I'm hoping to have a shed built someday soon. Wish I could build my own, but that's not an option. Enjoyed seeing the step-by-step photos.
  • agoofyidea Feb 11, 2012 @ 10:20 am | delete
    I am always amazed at what people can build. A long time ago my husband and I built a pole barn and it was very difficult. You did a great job with your barn. Blessed!
  • Tipi Jan 26, 2012 @ 5:24 pm | delete
    What a team you are and what a great idea for a lens....a perfect DIY from your experience in building a very nice shed!
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Keep Cost of Supplies Low

We were already saving a ton of money by building the shed ourselves, but there were other things we did to keep to our tight budget.

1. We purchased the two brand new louvered windows at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for a very economical price. In fact, we designed the side wall framing around the dimensions of these windows.

2. Some major hardware pieces were also purchased at the ReStore.

3. Because we do a lot of diy projects, we often have leftover materials. We always scrounge through these items first before purchasing new.

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Building this shed was a fun project for my husband and I. Very pleased with the finished product.....It's a solidly built shed with ample storage and... more »

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