So you’re thinking about tackling a big DIY project, whether it’s a kitchen remodel or building a garden shed? Here’s the thing — these projects almost never stick to the budget. Even when you pad your cost estimates, you’ll probably end up spending more than expected. That might have you wondering: Is it cheaper to build your own garden shed or just buy one that’s ready to go? Well, building it yourself usually wins out on price, but honestly, the savings are pretty tight. A bunch of different factors can tip the scales either way. Here’s the catch though — when we’re talking about garden sheds, there’s a huge gap between a prefab kit you throw together in your yard and a fully finished shed that shows up ready to use. With kits, you’ve got tons of choices. You can snag a small one for a couple hundred bucks or go big with something that costs thousands. The real win with kits? You skip the professional labor costs, which can absolutely wreck your budget depending on the project size. When you’re picking between the two options, think about how long you want the thing to last. A traditional framed shed built onsite piece by piece? That can easily go 30 years. Prefab kit sheds, on the other hand, typically give you about 10 years of life. If you’ve got an old shed that needs to come down and hauled away, building from scratch might give you the best bang for your buck — especially if you’re planning to stay put for years to come.
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Make Or Get A Shed: Which One Costs Less For Outdoor Storage
Compare your shed choices and find ways to save
Whirler/Getty Images Want to know which route to take? Take the time to price everything out. Getting a clear picture of where your money goes will help you decide what’s best for you. Add up all the costs — materials like roofing, siding, and lumber, plus finishes, labor, tools, the works. While a shed isn’t as complex as a house, a lot of the building rules apply the same way. Your local government might require permits based on size, what you’re using it for, hookups, and other stuff. Those permits can cost extra.
As you’re creating your budget, dig into any costs you might’ve missed, especially if you’re customizing your shed. Every extra you add — whether that’s fancy windows, wiring, or plumbing — bumps up your total. And if you’re doing the work yourself, do you already have the tools you need, or are you gonna need to buy them?
Looking to cut corners without cutting quality? Try installing a single-slope roof — you’ll hear it called a shed roof too. It takes less roofing stuff than other roof types. Roofing runs around $15 per square foot, so costs pile up fast, even on a small structure. For your base, you can go with a concrete slab, footers, or pressure-treated skids on gravel. (Pro tip: pressure-treated skids on gravel are your budget option.) Want more ways to save? Shrink the size, go with fewer windows, grab a used shed door instead of buying new, and rent or borrow any tools you don’t have lying around.
Why building custom might be worth the extra investment
Tirc83/Getty Images For plenty of homeowners, quality beats price any day of the week. If you’re after a custom-built shed or need specific features, you’ll probably be fine spending whatever it takes to get a solid concrete slab instead of settling for pressure-treated skids. If you’ve got a good budget and have accounted for potential overruns, you’re ready to make a game plan and write up your shopping list. Find a pro contractor or brush up on your DIY chops and get the job done.
Learning where you can trim costs while keeping quality high is super important too — no matter which way you go. Companies that make pre-built and prefab sheds sometimes cut corners to keep costs down in ways that experienced DIYers or pros wouldn’t touch. Think stuff like using smaller 2x3s instead of sturdy 2x4s for the frame, swapping solid wood for plywood, or leaving out studs altogether. These moves can definitely hurt how long your shed lasts.
All things considered, grabbing a ready-made shed makes sense in a lot of situations. Not everyone’s got four to eight hours to put together a prefab kit. Maybe you’ve stockpiled yard gear that won’t fit in your garage and need storage ASAP. That said, for tons of homeowners, building a shed is a chance to learn some solid DIY skills — and honestly, that might be reason enough to go the custom route. Plus, you get an excuse to add more tools to your collection. Win-win!
