If you need more storage space but your budget won’t stretch enough to purchase one, building one yourself using free storage shed plans is one option you may want to consider. Plans are available for download on a number of websites and generally include instructions for building and a list of material needed. But are these free plans your best option?

The main advantage of these shed plans is financial. Purchasing a prefabricated storage shed can easily cost you several hundred dollars, if not more, and you still have to put it together. Even the fully assembled sheds usually found at home improvement stores come with a high price tag. Custom designed plans generally start at a couple hundred and go up in price depending on the amount of customization you want. By working with a free plan and providing the labor yourself, you save money.

One of the main disadvantages of free storage shed plans is that they are generally pretty basic, providing only the instructions and a materials list. They often fail to provide information on selecting the best site for your shed, the proper foundation, and how to set the shed up with water or electricity. Custom plans are generally drawn by architects, who take into account these factors and include them in their design.

The most common free shed plans you will find online are the ones for an 8×10 Gable shed plan, garden shed or pump house storage. The Gable shed is a popular choice because it is built on skids, making it movable. It has a corrugated iron roof and plywood walls. The garden shed is a good choice for gardeners as it is usually large enough to store mowers and other garden tools. The pump storage plan will help you store pumps or motors in an easily accessible way.

Free plans are generally indicated as economy or deluxe. Economy plans are a good option for those with a smaller budget. Deluxe plans tend to use more expensive materials such as vinyl siding instead of the wood siding found in economy plans.

Before you begin your search for a shed plan, whether free or paid, it’s important to plan ahead. Scout your property to find a good location. Give some consideration to the best size and shape for your needs. Determine your budget for materials. Decide if electricity or water supply to your storage shed is a necessity.

Once you find your plan, make sure it has all the information you will need. Some free shed plans include only a general outline, while others are more detailed. You don’t want to figure out halfway through the project that you need a specific bracket that the plans didn’t mention or that the plans were only for the shed and not the foundation.

So are free storage shed plans your best option? If you take the time to ensure the plan fits your needs and has all the necessary information, these plans can aid you in getting a storage shed without blowing your budget.

Building a shed is a project that can be relatively easy with the right set of plans. The cost of labor alone can save you hundreds of dollars. The satisfaction of beginning a task, completing it and looking outside your house window, viewing a job well done, can absolutely make you proud. Sharing the source of your free shed plans can also help others in they own venture of home improvement.

Today there are literally thousands of different plans for sheds on the Internet depending on what type of structure you desire. Matching the surrounding scenery is always important as this addition to your property is going to be a permanent fixture. Size and symmetrical shape should also be taken into consideration. Other factors should be ease of access, direction of entrance and planning for floor space and shelving inside the structure.

An excellent Internet site for downloading specific free shed plans is www.workershop.com where dozens of plans are available with materials, blueprints and easy to follow directions. Several other sites will bring up helpful hints and actual pictures of how the work is done. Searching on woodworking sites as well as under DYI projects will deliver anything from small to large, plain or designer type sheds. Some individuals are offering projects that they have undertaken and completed and not to say that their shed plans are not just as good but you might want to compare to some of the more professional sites.

Building product supply houses is another great place to find free shed plans. They are in the business to sell you what is needed to create that great looking shed so many will give you all the help you ask for. Some even offer free seminars. Visit a building materials supplier or go to their website to see if your local merchandiser can’t provide you with a stunning array of blueprints, using their products. They may even have a list of contractors or handymen to help with the project.

At this point in time, stop and ask yourself if you are up to this type of job. Are you handy at fixing things about your property or would you prefer to call a professional for fear that you will get into a problem not easily reversed? A skilled DYIer could handle the project of a shed with the help of a partner but if you have never tackled a construction project from start to finish, you might want to get a second opinion on whether or not to tackle yourself or hire someone. Sit down and plan on how long your shed will take to build, what type of problems you may encounter, and if you have the proper tools and building materials.

Different people have different skills in many capacities. Knowing that you can create, build and finish a beautiful shed with free shed plans can be exciting and rewarding but remember that it is a long haul from your empty lot to that great work of art in the picture. You have to love digging in the soil, feeling the wood, framing and trimming. For those with this capacity, look up your plans today and have a great time. If not, hire a couple of kids involved in high school woodworking. What a great learning experience!

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It is impossible to deny the claim that America represents a culture based upon consumerism, i.e., buying and collecting things. It is also true that the more things people buy, the less space they have in their homes. It should come as no surprise to anyone that many families are forced to rent storage units these days because they simply do not have the space to store the many things they accumulate. While rental storage units continue to grow in popularity, many families find them inconvenient. Not only are many storage facilities located in out of the way places, such as near airports or off major highways, but they can also be quite expensive when you want to store your belongings for an indefinite period of time. That is one reason why many people are turning to DIY shed Plans.

Outdoor storage sheds are a relatively inexpensive, long-term solution to your storage problem needs. These sheds are not only durable and attractive, but they are also quite affordable. Many quality storage sheds can be purchased and shipped to your home from established companies. You may also choose to build your own outdoor storage shed – for which you will need a shed plan.

If you choose to build you own shed diy style, you may end up saving quite a bit of money. However, you need to make sure that you can complete the project in a timely fashion. Many ambitious homeowners begin projects like these, and then decide that they simply do not have the time or energy to see them through. So make sure that you have at least a few days to work on your new storage shed.

Once you decide to build your own shed, the first thing you have to do is to locate DIY shed plans. (DIY stands for do it yourself.) These plans can be found online though a simple Google search. The plan publisher may charge you a small fee for quality plans, so make sure that they are quality plans. Good plans should be clear, easy to understand and include step-by-step instructions on how to build the storage shed.

These plans should look like blueprints and should tell you exactly what materials and tools you will need to complete your project. It is always prudent to print out a few different plans and compare them before you procure any tools or materials. You want to find the plan that is right for you, so be certain to read through every detail before you start. Remember, even though the shed plan may be easy to follow, this is still a project that will take time, money and energy to complete. So make sure you choose wisely and get exactly what you want. It’s also a good idea to build a shed that’s a bit larger than you need right now to accommodate future needs.

Because your storage shed will most likely be used by your entire family, it is also wise to let every member know exactly what you are building even though you are the one that will be doing most of the work and getting most of the splinters. It may also be nice to let them pick the colors. This may encourage them to lend you a helping hand and lighten you load a bit. You may even share the DIY shed plans with family members and ask for their inputs. Family projects are often much more fun.