Utility sheds are primarily used in storing tools for gardening, home repair, woodworks, etc. Some people decide to build a shed to store unnecessary items around the house to make space for other purposes. Hobbyists can also benefit from building a shed as they can store their hobby equipment such as bikes and jet skis.
But before you decide to erect your own utility shed, there are things that you should consider first.
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Building codes
Before you decide on anything like the design and the size of your shed, you must be familiar with your local zoning ordinances. It may vary from place to place. Go to your county office and inquire about the local building codes, so you can decide on how you will build your utility shed.
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Price and quality
Most of the time, people fall for low prices, resulting in impulse buying. You should take time to assess the quality of the product first before buying it. The price difference between low and high-quality materials is significant. You really wouldn’t mind cranking up your budget a little bit if it means that you will have a long-lasting shed.
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Overall design
You should also ensure that the design of your shed matches the overall design of your property. Maintaining the uniformity of your property’s appearance is a must. Otherwise, your shed will stick out like a sore thumb.
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Landscaping
As mentioned above, you don’t really want your shed to stand out. It must blend with the landscape of your house. Planting grass or flowers around your shed makes a great difference.
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Siding materials
There are several siding materials that you can choose, like wood, vinyl, or metal. Aside from complementing it with the overall design of your property, one thing to also consider is the maintenance of each material. Vinyl sidings don’t need maintenance while wood and metal sidings require constant care.
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Foundation
A good shed needs a good foundation. There are two types: concrete slab or skid foundation. Concrete slab foundation holds more weight than skid foundation, but the latter can raise the height of your shed, and it also helps to ventilate the floor and keep the insects out.
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Cost of labor
If you know how to build your own shed and have the right tools for it, you should consider this option. This way, you can cut off the costs for labor. If not, then you can ask your local home builders to assemble it for you.
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Size
The design, cost, and function may vary depending on the size of your shed. If you only have few materials to put inside your shed, then it’s wise to build a small one. But if you plan to store more things inside, consider building a bigger one.
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Additional touches
Putting additional details like window boxes or weather vanes can make a lot of difference to your shed. You can also put a ramp for convenience. This makes it more satisfying to the eye.
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Is one shed enough?
If you think that a single shed is not enough for your needs, consider buying a small one apart from your main shed. This can have various functions, such as additional storage for clutter or firewood.
