6 Things to Consider Before Buying A Shed

An outdoor shed can be a great addition to your home, especially if you are seeking extra storage, gardening, or workshop space. However, buying or even replacing an old shed with a new one isn’t as simple as it may appear.

After all, you’d want something that is long-lasting, affordable and spacious enough for your particular needs. Therefore, with tons of expertise about outdoor sheds under our belt, we decided to share some insights regarding the things you must consider before buying a shed.

In this outdoor shed buying guide, we have outlined everything – obvious factors include size and cost but believe us, you wouldn’t want to stop there. Keep reading on if you’d like to learn about the essential things to consider before buying a shed.

6 Things to Consider Before Buying A Shed

Buying a shed is a MASSIVE investment, and believe us, you’d be looking at (and relying on) it for at least the next decade of your life. Considering few more questions at the outset would surely help you to make the best decision for the long run.

Here are some of the integral things to consider when buying a shed for your backyard:

1. Shed Permits & Covenants

First and foremost, you should check covenants or restrictions your neighbourhood has for building outdoor sheds. For example, many neighbourhoods in different cities dictate the particular distance from a fence or property line a shed must be built in.

This simple fact determines the size and type of outdoor shed you can buy. In addition, be sure to check if you must submit any architectural forms or need to get a building permit from the city.

2. Price & Quality

Many people let a new shed’s cost be their sole determining factor, putting blinders on and ignoring other crucial considerations. However, you must note that outdoor sheds have superior quality materials and solid construction look better and last longer than the cheapest options.

Expending just a few more dollars on a shed is generally a smarter route to take. In case budget is your primary consideration, we recommend you to buy a well-constructed, simple shed built with basic materials rather than those with premium materials or fancy details.

3. Design Consideration

Choose a shed design that suits and complements the overall style and appearance of your property. For example, if your house has a formal style, buying an outdoor shed with formal features would be a good decision.

Moreover, nowadays, you can even design a shed online through various platforms. So, be sure to take advantage of these online platforms and build a shed that complements your house.

4. Shed Purpose

Another important thing to consider when buying a shed is to think about its purpose and usage. Will you be using it for storage, gardening, a workshop, or some other purpose? Remember, the shed’s purpose greatly affects its size and features best suited for it. For instance, if you plan on spending tons of time inside the shed, be sure to consider things such as ventilation, lighting, roof height, etc.

5. Shed Size

Please note that sheds can be built in any size and there are several sheds kits available out there in almost every size. An expert tip on shed size? Always get a bigger size than you believe you need. In case you need a shed for extra storage, gauge your current spatial requirements and increase them by 25 per cent to accommodate future storage needs.

However, as we mentioned earlier, some neighbourhoods and cities might have restrictions preventing you from building a shed taller than the house/fence line so just be sure to check that first.

6. Wall & Siding Materials

Here are the three main and popular materials options for building outdoor sheds:

• Plastic – This type of outdoor shed is typically made up of vinyl such as PVC, polyvinyl chloride, or any other kind of plastic.
• Metal – This outdoor shed has the simplest metal structure in which the roofs and walls are covered with vinyl-coated or factory-painted metal.
• Wood – This outdoor shed material has stud-framed walls, enclosed with plywood siding.

Wrap Up

As mentioned earlier, buying a shed for your backyard is a huge deal. Therefore, having the right features along with high durability and usability is critical in the long run. We hope our outdoor shed buying guide helps you to understand the importance of different facets while making a final decision.

The entire buying process can get so much simpler when you know what you’re in for. Additionally, it will also help you to make the right decision for you and your family.