How to build a shed - A DIY guide for beginners

A backyard with enough space for a shed can provide you with many benefits. A shed can be a space for storing garden tools and equipment, or for doing your DIY projects. You can be creative with the structure, but you first need to learn how to build a shed. 

If you plan to build your own shed, this guide will provide you with the information you need - from the materials and tools you need, to the steps and best practices. Get started with these tips and see how you can maximise your outdoor area with the perfect DIY shed. 

Tools and materials for building a shed

It’s always good to be prepared before you begin to save time (and frustration) when your project is underway. No matter how big your shed will be, you’ll need a range of carpentry hand tools and power tools, including:

Basic tools

• A hammer

• Tape measure

• Framing square

• Combination square

• A level

• Chalk reel

• Handsaw

• A flat pry bar

• Tool belt

Power tools

• A cordless drill  and an impact driver

• A job site table saw (helpful, not necessary)

• Extra battery for power tools

• Miter saw

Safety tools

• Safety glasses

• Gloves

• Mask

• Construction helmet

Materials list

Most materials lists will vary greatly depending on the type and size of shed you are building. To give you a rough guide, however, here is a standard list of materials required to make a typical shed:

• Corner/fence posts 90x90mm x 2.4m (Quantity 4)

• Cement 25kg (Quantity 1)

• Sharp sand 25kg (Quantity 1)

• Waterproof sheeting (Quantity 1)

• CLS C16 timber 38x63mm x 2.4m (Quantity 60)

• LogLap cladding 125mm x 22mm (224m total length)

• 3×2 C16 construction timber 45x70mm x 3m (Quantity 8)

• 3×2 C16 construction timber 45x70mm x 3.6m (Quantity 6)

• OSB3 18x1220x2440mm (Quantity 5)

• OSB3 12x1220x2440mm (Quantity 6)

• Roof felt 10m (Quantity 2)

• Door hinges (Quantity 4)

• A mix of screws – 80mm – 50mm 

• A window (optional but recommended if possible)

If you are a regular DIY-er, you probably have most of this on hand. If not, well, get ready to build your tool collection! 

Step-by-step DIY garden shed instructions 

While the specifics of shed construction will be very particular to the type of shed you build, read on for some higher-level steps crucial for a DIY shed, then tailor as necessary for your chosen plan.

Step 1: Get clearance to build

Firstly, you must apply for a building permit before constructing anything on your property. This will ensure you can legally pop a shed up in that area of your home. Even though it is your property, your shed may affect someone else’s view, and the last thing you want to do is go to the trouble of building a shed, only to have to tear it down. Smaller sheds don’t often require permits to be constructed.

Get all the necessary approvals and permits first, which may require you to submit a set of shed plans to ensure your project adheres to building codes. If you want to lower the risk of possible rejection, call ahead and determine what is and isn’t allowed on your property.

Check to see if you need approval from the inland wetlands commission, health department, and the zoning board. In many towns, the building department might ask you to get all those permissions before granting a building permit.

The most significant restriction will likely be height. If you understand your parameters first, you can design your shed around them and ensure the approval of your plans. A building inspector will review your plans and ensure your structure meets all the requirements for local and national building codes.

Don’t worry; if you get a code violation the first time, the building inspector will tell you how to fix it, and then you can resubmit.

Step 2: Picking your site

You’ll want to confirm where your shed will sit on your property. This is a crucial step that isn’t as easy as it sounds. If you choose poorly, your shed won’t be standing for long.

Follow these simple rules to pick the best spot:

• Avoid building at the bottom of a hill or in a spot where water collects. You don’t want extra moisture when it comes to any wood structure. Your wood will rot; hinges will rust; the paint will blister. Not to mention, you don’t want a flooded shed.

• Don’t pick a spot where your shed will be surrounded by trees and ground cover, as this will restrict sunlight and airflow. Avoid overhead trees where branches could fall; pine needles could shower your shed roof.

• Never violate code-required setback distances, which determine how far away your shed must be from the side, front, and rear property lines. 

Remember that your location should allow easy access when carrying heavy tools in and out of your shed. In some cases, your yard may not be that big, meaning the location is somewhat already picked for you. If so, keep access in mind when choosing the dimensions of your shed.

Step 3: Create a strong foundation

The first thing you’ll need to create is a solid shed base. If you build anything on a weak foundation, it’s bound to fail at some point. The most common on-grade foundations are solid concrete blocks or pressure-treated wood timbers on the ground. You’ll want to ensure that your base is perfectly level to support the shed’s floor frame. 

Protect the foundation from soil erosion by setting them on a 4-inch-deep bed of compacted gravel. If you build a small shed, you’ll be fine to compact this by hand. For larger areas, you’ll save time by renting a plate compactor. Ideally, your garden shed foundation will be set slightly off the ground to help with water drainage. 

It is important to note that if you buy a prefabricated shed, you’ll still need to perform this step to create the foundation.

Step 4: Build a floor frame

Your floor frame should feature a mudsill, floor joists, and perimeter band joists. It is crucial to weatherproof your structure as it will sit close to the ground, making it prone to rot and wood-eating bugs. Build your floor frame out of pressure-treated lumber. If you buy a prefabricated shed, ensure it has a floor frame made with treated construction-grade lumber.

You’ll need at least a ¾-inch exterior-grade plywood for the floor deck. The thicker, the better, especially if you plan on building a wood shed. This may raise costs and be harder to install, but you’ll be glad you created a solid floor down the track. Pressure-treated plywood for the floor deck is always a good idea for longevity.

Step 5: Build the shed roof frame

The hardest part of the process is framing the roof, as you’ll need to make a lot of repetitive, angled cuts. Start by assembling the rafters and ceiling joists into roof trusses, then raise them and set them on top of the walls. This will be much easier than building the roof frame one board at a time.

You can use your completed floor deck like a giant workbench when creating the roof trusses. Ensure you take the necessary time to get this right.

Step 6: Decide on door placement

You’ll find two types of doors for sheds – hinged and sliding. Both are great for any kind of shed. Hinged doors take up less space and are more secure. Sliding doors are easier to install but require additional wall space on either side.

The best positioning for your door is on one of the sidewalls. This will allow you to access items no matter where they sit in the shed. There is nothing worse than digging through everything to get the shovel hanging at the very back!

Step 7: Add a skylight

Adding a skylight to your shed will provide some much-needed natural light. This provides additional lighting over working areas in case there is no power nearby for electrical lights. 

Step 8: Plan your electricity source 

Running electricity to your shed is a doable but complicated process. It’s best to hire an electrician when you do any kind of electrical work. 

Step 9: Design the interior of your shed

This is where the fun begins! You can make your interior anything you want it to be. DIY studio? Reading lounge? Homeschool space? Zoom call away from the family? It’s up to you to decide how you want to design the area suitable for your garden shed.

Best practices when planning your shed construction

• Storage: It’s unlikely you are building a shed just for the aesthetic look. You probably have some ideas in mind for it as well, such as maximising the extra storage. If so, ensure you consider your storage requirements before building. Make an inventory of the things you plan to keep in your shed and account for a little room to move.

• Climate: Some shed materials will not be able to handle the harsh weather. Steel seems like a durable choice for a shed, but a steel garden shed in hot regions will be unbearable in summer.

• Costs: Ensure that price is not the most significant factor in building your shed. The costs of installing a shed depend on different factors, such as material, labour, and project complexity. Cheap materials can become brittle in the heat, and you’ll spend more replacing sections or even the entire shed sooner than if you had opted for a more durable material.

You will get many uses out of your freshly built shed. It may even be a home that inspires many more future DIY projects! As long as you focus on sturdy construction with quality materials, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden shed for many years to come.

Want to build a shed without the DIY work? You can hire plenty of Taskers who are experts in shed installation, handyman services, and other garden shed repairs and builds to help with the project. 

The inspiration to transform your home is endless. Get more backyard ideas to boost the value of your home and maximise your outdoor space.