If You Need to Know How to Build a Storage Building

Once you are convinced that you need a new storage building, your next step will be to decide whether you want to build or buy your new building. Building your own can save you money and afford you 10x-100x the number of design choices versus trying to buy your building at a home store.

Building Materials:

While the materials for your building will vary depending upon the plans you buy, here is an example list of the types of building materials you will need:

1. Lumber (mostly 2 x 4s)
2. Trusses
3. 1 x 4 corner boards (for door)
4. Plywood sheathing (for roof)
5. Crushed stone (for foundation)
6. 2 x 4 spacers
7. 2 x 6 headers
8. Shingles (for roof)
9. A level
   
10. Assorted nails and screws
    

Tools:

Luckily, you will not need access to a professional carpenter's toolbox in order to build your own storage building. Here are typical tools you may need:

1. hammer
2. rafter square 
3. level
4. hand saw
5. chalk line
6. tape measure
7. drill
8. power miter saw
9. reciprocating saw
10. jig saw
    

Steps:

To design and put up your new storage building, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Get your hands on a list of detailed plans with lots of design options. Check out this site, where you can download 12,000+ storage building plans instantly: http://www.build-your-own-shed.info/.
2. Visit a local home store - not to buy (!) - but rather to check out the floor models to get a feel for what you like. Then, go home and select the plan (from your guide) that you like best.
   
3. Check with your municipal building inspector if a permit is required.
4. Choose a location for your storage building that is in a place where water does not tend to collect.
5. Get some friends and neighbors together for a "storage shed raising" party of sorts. Make it a fun day - and get to work.
6. Your shed will likely take you at least 2-3 weekend days to build. Take your time, do it right, and think of all the money you are saving by not buying a new shed.

For more on putting up your own storage building, check out:
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-build-a-storage-building/.