Many people consider building a backyard storage shed to be a minor project. It is more complex than building a table or stool and far less complicated than building an addition to your home but, no matter how easy or difficult the project may be it still requires a competent shed design plan to do the job right. There are a few essentials you need when you decide to build a storage shed in your backyard.
Motivation
The first thing to consider when deciding to undertake a small scale construction project like shed building is the motivation for building the structure in the first place. What needs storing that you cannot easily put in your garage, basement or attic? Will the shed help you organize the mess or will it just become another black hole for unwanted material possessions? Understanding your motivation for building is but the first step in the process.
Another thing to consider is how motivated your family is to helping you conceive of and complete the project. While much of the actual construction can be accomplished with your own two hands, an extra set of hands or two will come in quite handy. Is this a family project or a true do-it-yourself adventure?
Finally, are you motivated to build your shed from scratch or do you think youll be better off simply assembling a shed kit you buy at your local home center. Building from scratch will save you a good deal of money but there are some basic skills required to do the job right. If you dont have a complete set of directions, especially for the detailed parts of the work required, youll have a harder time building from scratch.
The Required Tools
I cannot emphasize this point enough, the most important tool you possess when building a shed (or anything else for that matter) is a shed design plan. Plans come in all shapes and sizes, contain enough detail to do the job or merely skim over the details assuming a professionals knowledge of the task at hand and contain detailed material lists or no material list at all. I always recommend that you buy plans that contain the greatest level of detail, from blow-up drawings of fine details to a complete set of instructions and lists of materials needed to do the job with few problems. Plans are available that meet these requirements online at quite affordable prices. Whatever you do, dont skimp on this requirement.
Youll need a saw, a hammer, wrenches, screw-drivers and pliers as well as a rule for measuring. If you dont have any tools you can rent power saws but I suggest that you purchase hand tools that accommodate to the home woodworker. They are not expensive and will be there later if you need them.
In addition to the hand tools mentioned above, you may need a plumb line, chalk line, level and a carpenters square. Dont forget to protect your eyes with goggles.
Youll need a post-hole digger to assure that your shed has a solid foundation. Motorized post-hole diggers can be rented by the hour and manual post-hole diggers are inexpensive to buy. I strongly recommend that you dig your foundation holes mechanically rather than by hand because by hand it is a back breaking job.
Dont overlook paint or stain for the exterior of your shed. Youll also need paint rollers, buckets, brushes and extension poles to do the job right.
One more point, dont buy the cheapest materials you can buy. Using quality material may cost a bit more up-front but they will save you a bundle over the long-haul in repairs.
While this should go without saying, do not proceed without a proper shed design plan. If you do, youll be screaming bloody murder before you are half-way through.
Don Koenig has been a professional carpenter and woodworker for over 25 years. He offers tips and ideas for building sheds an other woodworking projects at [http://www.designsforsheds.com]Designs for Sheds. Right now he is offering a free gift of a 24 page basic shed plan for a [http://www.designsforsheds.com/shed-design-plan]12 x 8 Shed. Why not visit his site and see what all the fuss is about.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Shed-Design-Plan:-Preparation-for-Building-a-Shed&id=6672977] Shed Design Plan: Preparation for Building a Shed
