You've already determined that you need more storage space and that buying a shed is your solution. Now it's time to figure out what you need to know before purchasing a shed, including size options, building styles, and price range — but there are many more factors to add to the consideration checklist. Here are just a few.
The first and foundational piece of the shed buying puzzle is determining the use of your building. In other words, what is the purpose of your shed? While it can serve many functions simultaneously, identifying your shed's primary goal then taking a moment to explore other potential uses could influence critical choices like building size and foundation type. Here are a few shed use ideas.
With your shed's purpose in mind, think about the items that will need to fit inside of it. For instance, if you're planning to use your shed for storing lawn & garden equipment, you'll need room for a lawn mower, snow blower, leaf blower, rakes, shovels, ladders, soil bags, fertilizer, etc. — you get the idea. Considering how you want to use your shed and making a list of all the items you need to keep inside will impact the shed size you choose.
Knowing the purpose of your shed and listing all the items that will be stored inside will help to determine the shed size you need.
Most residential storage buildings range from 8'x10' to 10'x14' but can be as large as 12'x28'. Most sheds larger than these dimensions are considered garages and come with an overhead garage door. As mentioned before, your shed's size will affect the price, so consider this as you make your selection. The larger it is, the more it will cost, even if you think you’re saving money by choosing a less expensive siding or roofing option.
Often people underestimate how much room items take up. We suggest using the shed size calculator by LP Building Products (one of our trusted vendors) to help you estimate what shed size you should get based on commonly stored items.
It's also critical to think about extra space. You don't want to fill your shed from wall to wall or from floor to ceiling. Factor maneuverability into your size estimate. For instance, you might want to consider extra space around your workbench, ATV, or motorcycle — maintenance tasks like changing oil require extra square footage. Think for a moment about how much additional space you need based on use-case, items stored inside, and the capacity to move around easily.
Shed siding is available in a range of materials. Your choice may depend on your budget, the look you want, or the amount of time you’re willing to put into yearly maintenance. Here are the most popular options.
The roof of your shed is the primary line of defense against bad weather, particularly moisture. All of the roofing types below repel water. However, other conditions specific to your areas such as temperature, sunlight, and wind should dictate which type of roofing material is best for your shed.
Just a heads up before you settle on a shed, check to see what zoning codes apply to your area. Each city has slightly different regulations, and it is always better to find out the specifics upfront to avoid difficulties at delivery. Rural areas are usually more lax, but for those who live in cities, towns, or subdivisions, there may be restrictions on size, color, and sometimes style that have to be approved by a council, business official, or HOA before ordering. In many places, any building larger than a small garden shed will require a permit, so it's necessary to check with the local government or your subdivision board.
Zoning information is often on your town’s website along with information about how to obtain a permit in your particular area. For example, if you type the word “zoning” along with your zip code into your search engine, you should get several results that will steer you in the right direction. Most towns have website pages dedicated to such information for the convenience of their residents.
If you don't have internet access or cannot find the information that you need, you can call the town hall or local municipality to get started. They will be able to help you with the necessary permits and permissions and inform you of any possible fees.
While this step may not directly impact your shed shopping experience, it may help you factor in an additional cost that may not have initially been on your radar. Every shed needs a solid and level foundation. Consider how much you’re willing to spend on this critical base.
Follow these six steps to lay a level foundation.
We cannot stress enough how important it is for your site to be perfectly level. An unlevel foundation will cause the building’s frame to twist and make opening doors and windows difficult.
Some shed companies will lay the foundation for you, while others will require that you have a foundation in place before delivery, whether you lay it yourself or hire a handyman or contractor to do it for you.
With so many options out there, choosing the right shed for your needs and budget can feel overwhelming. Choosing a size is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, but selecting a size isn’t simple or cut and dried. Additionally, you need to consider your property's dimensions and property lines, but even those factors have variables.
Download our Shed Buying Workbook to help you think through all the important details that will impact your decision and ensure you’re getting a valuable, long-lasting investment. Each section of the workbook is designed to help you select the right shed for your goals, needs, and budget.
Our workbook covers everything in this post plus:
Get your copy today to start working through all aspects of your ideal shed.