By Mike Thayer
About a month ago, I wrote about the need for a shed. Now that I have my customized kayak for fishing at beautiful Lake Viking, I need a shed at the lake property to keep it in.
So I’ve been doing some homework online and checking things out the traditional way as well, visiting the brick and mortar stores. I’m in the market for a 10′ x 12′ foot shed – the maximum size allowed by the home owner’s association. It also has to be made of wood, no metal or plastic/resin kits allowed. No problem there, I prefer sheds made from wood anyway.
I’ve already got a concrete pad in place, a nice foundation for the shed, but do I buy a kit that I assemble (option 1), or do I buy plans for a shed and purchase the materials myself (option 2)? Another option, the most expensive one, is to buy an already assembled shed and have it delivered and anchored to the foundation by the shed maker (option 3).
Prices for a quality shed in the size I want range from $1,200 to $5,000, the latter being for the pre-assembled shed, delivered option.
A little homework, Option 1 – buying a kit
Here are some options for 10′ x 12′ shed kits available at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Shed Warehouse where I get to take the kit to Lake Viking and assemble:
Available at Lowe’s – $2,087.00
Available at Shed Warehouse – $2,999.00
Available at Home Depot – $1,399.00
Right now, as far as the kits (option 1) are concerned, Home Depot would seem like the go-to place for a shed when it comes to price. It’s basic, but heck for the savings in price, I can install a couple windows if desired, just look at the price difference between the Home Depot shed vs. Lowe’s, vs. Shed Warehouse.
A little homework, Option 2 – Get a shed plan and purchase all the materials myself
There are A LOT of shed plans out there to choose from and various shed features/options in those plans. Some plans are free, some are pay for more detailed plans… But as I started to research this option, the pricing of lumber and materials – COVID price hikes – has made this option cost prohibitive and never mind the labor involved. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy putting a shed together mind you, but I honestly would rather maximize my time at the lake fishing, not shed building.
Framing available at Walmart for $200, but it’s not 2×6 lumber and the joints are plastic
I like the plans for this one, but materials are costly!
So in nixing option 2, getting a shed plan and purchasing all materials myself, it’s on to option 3.
A little homework, option 3 – buying a pre-assembled shed, have it delivered and anchored to the concrete pad on property
This is the style I went for
This is the most appealing option to me, allowing me to spend more time on the water. But delivery and installation comes with a higher price tag. I checked out a number of shed building companies in the Kansas City area. I can get pre-assembled sheds delivered and installed, some companies actually build the shed for you on property. This option is going to hit the top end of my shed budget at $5,000, but I say it’s worth it! More time on the lake! I went with a company called Tuff Shed, and my shed will be custom built! I can’t wait to store my fishing kayak in it’s new home!
$pend Wisely My Friends…..
Shopping for a shed – doing the homework, part 2 – Bachelor on the Cheap
By Mike Thayer
About a month ago, I wrote about the need for a shed. Now that I have my customized kayak for fishing at beautiful Lake Viking, I need a shed at the lake property to keep it in.
So I’ve been doing some homework online and checking things out the traditional way as well, visiting the brick and mortar stores. I’m in the market for a 10′ x 12′ foot shed – the maximum size allowed by the home owner’s association. It also has to be made of wood, no metal or plastic/resin kits allowed. No problem there, I prefer sheds made from wood anyway.
I’ve already got a concrete pad in place, a nice foundation for the shed, but do I buy a kit that I assemble (option 1), or do I buy plans for a shed and purchase the materials myself (option 2)? Another option, the most expensive one, is to buy an already assembled shed and have it delivered and anchored to the foundation by the shed maker (option 3).
Prices for a quality shed in the size I want range from $1,200 to $5,000, the latter being for the pre-assembled shed, delivered option.
A little homework, Option 1 – buying a kit
Here are some options for 10′ x 12′ shed kits available at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Shed Warehouse where I get to take the kit to Lake Viking and assemble:
Available at Lowe’s – $2,087.00
Available at Shed Warehouse – $2,999.00
Available at Home Depot – $1,399.00
Right now, as far as the kits (option 1) are concerned, Home Depot would seem like the go-to place for a shed when it comes to price. It’s basic, but heck for the savings in price, I can install a couple windows if desired, just look at the price difference between the Home Depot shed vs. Lowe’s, vs. Shed Warehouse.
A little homework, Option 2 – Get a shed plan and purchase all the materials myself
There are A LOT of shed plans out there to choose from and various shed features/options in those plans. Some plans are free, some are pay for more detailed plans… But as I started to research this option, the pricing of lumber and materials – COVID price hikes – has made this option cost prohibitive and never mind the labor involved. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy putting a shed together mind you, but I honestly would rather maximize my time at the lake fishing, not shed building.
Framing available at Walmart for $200, but it’s not 2×6 lumber and the joints are plastic
I like the plans for this one, but materials are costly!
So in nixing option 2, getting a shed plan and purchasing all materials myself, it’s on to option 3.
A little homework, option 3 – buying a pre-assembled shed, have it delivered and anchored to the concrete pad on property
This is the style I went for
This is the most appealing option to me, allowing me to spend more time on the water. But delivery and installation comes with a higher price tag. I checked out a number of shed building companies in the Kansas City area. I can get pre-assembled sheds delivered and installed, some companies actually build the shed for you on property. This option is going to hit the top end of my shed budget at $5,000, but I say it’s worth it! More time on the lake! I went with a company called Tuff Shed, and my shed will be custom built! I can’t wait to store my fishing kayak in it’s new home!
$pend Wisely My Friends…..