Cheap sheds do not mean bad quality sheds; you can plan and build a great quality shed without spending a fortune in the process. Sheds are a great way to solve the issue of storage space, as you live in a home you collected more and more contents as time goes by, especially if you have started a family. A shed in the garden or yard is a great way of freeing up some space in the home. By applying yourself to getting the right materials and putting in the time and effort you can have a shed that does not cost the earth.
Prefab Sheds
Prefab shed kits are a good cheap option; they are easy to transport and to assemble however you have to be wary of what you buy as some cheap shed kits are as the name suggests, cheap. These types of budget prefab sheds are made from flimsy materials and will not stand the test of time. However they can prove to be a bit of a bargain if you are capable of strengthening them up and adding extra materials to them.
It is best to go for named brands if you are looking for a good quality kit shed, online websites that sell sheds should have feedback sections which will let you view customer reviews. Having fellow shoppers experience of having a product you are thinking of buying is probably the best endorsement you can have.
Using Shed Plans
Shed blueprints are a very cost effective way of building a cheap shed. You can either buy them for a pittance or in some cases download them for free from the internet. It is recommended that you also get building instructions as well as the plans if possible; this will certainly take some of the guess work out of the building process. Good quality plans should guide you step by step through each stage from prep, building and then the finishing touches, they should also give you a list of the required tools and materials needed.
You can keep the cost low with adopting this process by getting your material cheap, see if there is a timber yard close by, these places usually sell reclaimed wood at knock down prices and bargains can be had. If you are not too bothered by it, exploring skips is another option, you will be surprised what people throw away, better still you get it for free. Also check the classifieds, Craiglist or Gumtree, there is usually someone giving away a piece of furniture or better still an old shed, these are great resources for cheap or even free materials.
Once you have your materials think through how best to follow your plan, you may need to adjust certain aspects to fit in with the timber you have got. It could mean changing the dimensions of the shed; if you think it is not going to be able to be adjusted then maybe acquiring more timber will be your only option.
It is important to inspect the timber you have got, especially if it is second hand. Check for splits in the wood and also for rot, take out any old nails or screws as well. You may need to strip back wood that has previously been painted or varnished, do not use it until you can see the wood as it could be concealing wood worm. It may be necessary to treat the wood chemically before using it. Once you have built your shed be sure to treat the wood with either paint or wood stain, whatever suits you.