Building a Shed on the Cheap

Looking to build a cheap shed? You're not alone! Shed building doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. The good news is that you don't have to sink a fortune to build a nice little structure. You just need to be creative. Whether you start with a budget in mind, or are just trying to get a grasp on what it will cost, research and flexibility are key.

Here are some tips for building a shed on a tight budget:

• Look into those free shed plans -- but keep in mind that while you can save between $10 and $100, you may be getting exactly what you're not paying for.


• Use T-111 siding. You'll sheath and side in one step. You can always go back and reside when your budget permits.


• Be creative with your shed's loading ramp. Don't buy it ready-made.


• Be flexible about your shed roof's shingle color. Your local lumberyard may have a couple of bundles in an odd color that they'd be willing to get rid of for a song and a dance.


• Ditto for the paint color. Your local paint store will have gallons and gallons of pre-mixed exterior paint or stain in the "wrong" colors. You can pick up someone else's mistake for just a few bucks a gallon ... and who can really tell the difference between sandstone dusk and dusty mushroom anyway?


• Buy what you need to build your shed when it's on sale, before you need it. Whether it's nails, siding, 2x4s, shingles, or hinges, you can save a significant amount of money in the long run by buying everything when the prices are the lowest. You might consider it a savings account, except that you can't spend that cash in a moment of weakness.


• Go for small footprint with lots of headroom. You'll need more foundation and roofing materials with a bigger footprint. A tall 8x12 shed can offer more storage space than a low-roofed 10x12. Loft space is essentially free, as opposed to floor space. This alone is justification for a well-designed shed plan ... too many inexpensive and free plans are poorly designed and low-roofed.

And here's one more tip if your budget is severely constrained and you're not at all concerned with aesthetics ...

If you have next to nothing to spend, you don't just need to be creative, you need to be a scavenger.

There's no better place to find free wood than good old shipping palettes. Check around with local businesses and warehouses. They may be glad to give you their excess shipping palettes for free.