Ditch Pricey Storage & DIY Your Own Affordable Backyard Shed Instead

Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned garden shed. It's the perfect place to store valuable landscaping and groundskeeping tools and to help protect them from the elements, all while keeping your garage clutter free. Garden sheds, however, aren't cheap. They often run anywhere from a $1,000 to $8,000, but the average homeowner will pay around $3,350. Why pay top dollar for one at your local hardware store or garden center when you can build one yourself for a fraction of the price?

Think creatively about what kind of shed you'd like. It can have windows, landscaping, and even decorative spires, which can make it a celebrated feature of your garden. Or, you might even look at ways to make a combination greenhouse and garden shed, if you want them both but lack the space. There are several ways to build a DIY greenhouse shed. 

You can get started with your own by first picking a blueprint or building plan. There are dozens of blueprints listed on Etsy, other websites, or included in any number of videos online. Next, you'll need to grab the wood and supplies.Pricing for building your own shed can vary, depending on the size you want and what tools you might already have. Walls will mostly likely cost $4.67 and $7.32 per square foot, and roofs start at $1.16 per square foot. Finally, a helper might be needed to assist you in putting on the roof or raising the walls. 

To get started, first check with your local city or county government just to make sure you don't need a permit to build a shed. Regulations vary, but in general, most places don't require permits for buildings smaller than 8 by 10 feet. Still, it's a good idea to check first.

Next, you'll need to level out the ground where you want to set your shed. It's a little tricky to build on a slope, but there are a few suggestions about how to make foundations on a slope for a shed. Prep the area, which could mean using weed killer or digging out grass. If you're looking to put it on existing concrete, it's probably already ready to go. Then, get to work on making a base for your shed. This will require plywood and wooden planks. Then, you'll put up the walls. If you feel like installing a window might be too advanced, consider including a vent instead, to encourage air circulation inside.

For the roof, you can opt for a tin roof or you can add sloped plywood and fix roof shingles to it. Then, you'll need to build a door, and attach it to the structure with hinges. Don't forget the door latch. As a final step, add a fresh coat of paint or think about landscaping around your shed to make it a decorative addition to your garden.