A shed is a great storage solution. If you are thinking about buying one for your garden you may be questioning whether it is cheaper to build it from scratch or invest in one that is already built.
Ultimately, it is going to be cheaper to build your own shed, however, there are several other factors that you will need to consider. For example, building your shed is going to be quite a laborious task and you will also need to ensure that you have all of the necessary tools to hand.
Also, taking on the task of building one from scratch means that it is not going to be covered by a warranty so you want to ensure that you are confident in your DIY skills before proceeding.
Whilst you will likely find the initial cost of purchasing a pre-built shed more expensive, you aren’t going to need access to any costly tools as the task of putting it together has already been done. All that you have to do is make sure that it is safely positioned on its foundations.
Also, pre-built sheds are covered by warranties. As such, if it is defective, the manufacturer will be responsible for rectifying the issue.
The cost of building or buying a shed is going to vary depending on what size you need it to be. Larger pre-built sheds tend to be more expensive. Likewise, to build a large shed, you are going to need more resources and materials. Similarly, it will depend on the design of the shed.
Are you looking for something basic that can store your tools and garden furniture, or do you intend to transform your shed into your very own den??
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with the costs of both. Those who aren’t confident in their DIY abilities may be happy to spend more on a prebuilt shed, whilst those that have the time and resources available may prefer to source the materials and build their shed themselves.
Do I need a foundation for a shed?
Any shed or garden building will require a foundation. This is essentially a durable base that will support the weight of the shed to enhance its longevity. It is important to make sure that the foundations are robust, otherwise, your shed will suffer as a result and you will likely find that it does not last for as long as anticipated.
If you have a patio and you intend on getting a small shed, a base will not be required as the surface already available will be sufficient. However, sheds 8’ x 6’ and bigger will need to be installed onto a foundation.
Those on the smaller side can be placed onto timber, patio slabs, crushed stone, etc. Those on the larger side will require something more substantial. For example, you will likely need to create a base that is made up of concrete slabs.
Before deciding on the correct foundation, you will need to evaluate the current state of the surface that the shed is going to be placed on. Sloping ground makes things slightly more challenging but creating a base is still doable, it will simply require more thought.
How can I insulate my shed cheaply?
Insulating plays an important role in regulating the internal temperature of your shed and it doesn’t need to be a super costly expense. In fact, there are ways that you can insulate your shed using cheap but reliable materials.
Bubble wrap will prove effective in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your shed and what's better is that it can be reused if needed so long as it hasn’t deteriorated in quality. As a more basic material, it is a great budget-friendly option. There is also bubble wrap available that is backed by foil which is going to make it even more effective.
A second option is to line the walls of your shed with multiple layers of cardboard. Air pockets will form between these layers and as a result, the transfer of heat is going to be much slower. Ideally, you should try and use heavier cardboard because this is going to make it a more effective insulator. Just like bubble wrap, cardboard isn’t overly expensive.
Styrofoam is another cheap material that possesses excellent insulating properties. This is because there are lots of small air bubbles trapped inside it. For this reason, it effectively prevents the transfer of heat. It isn’t overly complex to install. You simply need to cut it to size and then stick these chunks to the walls of the shed.
It is also worth paying close attention to the materials that you recycle. You may find things that will come in useful as insulators and this is going to be particularly helpful if you are not in the position to go out and buy any new materials.
Is it hard to build a shed?
Building a shed isn’t an overly difficult task, however, those with no DIY expertise may find it more challenging than others. It is important to make sure that your shed is built correctly, otherwise, you may run into problems at a later stage.
If you intend to build your shed yourself, preparation is paramount. It will help to lay out all of the different parts first so that you can see what is meant to go where. Then proceed to build the shed in an orderly fashion.
The majority of sheds will come with comprehensive instructions that explain each stage of the process in detail. You may find building the base to be the hardest part of the process.
Those who are not confident in their abilities may choose to use the help of others when building their shed. These extra hands will mean that your shed will be constructed and ready to use in no time. It is also important to remember that building a shed can be a tiring task and one that requires a lot of effort on your part.
