How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shed?

Storage sheds are great for protecting your valuable tools and equipment from the elements and theft. Equipment like lawnmowers, snow blowers and chainsaws are not cheap to replace. Sheds are particularly ideal for homes without garages, and they can also double as workshops. Best of all, they’re pretty affordable.

Types of Sheds

There are three basic options when it comes to building a shed: Build it yourself, buy a prefabricated shed or hire a contractor to do a custom build.

There are many design options, too, including:

• Gambrel - These sheds have the shape of traditional barns, with gradually-sloping roofs.
• Saltbox - A colonial style popular in New England with one side of the roof longer than the other.
• Gable - Very basic A-frame design; roof has two sloping sides that meet in the center
• Lean-to - Compact sheds with a single sloping roof; often placed so they lean against the house or main structure

Popular materials for sheds include aluminum, vinyl, composite and natural wood. Each has its pros and cons. Aluminum and vinyl are inexpensive and low maintenance but less attractive than wood. Composite, or engineered wood, is pricey but attractive and durable. Natural wood is perhaps the most attractive, but it is also expensive and requires significant maintenance.

Sheds come in all shapes and sizes, particularly when they’re custom built. Popular sizes for prefabricated sheds include 10X10, 10X12, 10X8, 8X8 and 8X12.

Cost to Build a Shed

If you’re planning to build a 10X12 foot wooden shed on your own, budget about $1,500 to $2,500 for lumber alone.

For about that same price, you can buy a prefabricated shed of the same size, delivered and completely finished. The quality of materials and construction may not quite match up, but that doesn’t matter too much with a shed. Prefab sheds do hold up to the elements and they are sold with warranties.

Aluminum or vinyl prefab sheds tend to fall on the lower end of that price range, typically selling for $1,800 or less. Pressure-treated wood or composite sheds start on the high end of that range but can cost as much as $5,000.

Hiring a contractor to build a shed from the ground up is the most expensive option. Aside from the $1,500 to $2,000 for lumber, budget for labor, which can easily double the cost.

Addition Overview

If your family is outgrowing your home but you love the location, it might be time to think about building an addition. Avoid the hassle of moving and create the extra space you need in the neighborhood you love.

Additions come in all shapes and sizes. You can build up or out. You can expand existing rooms or create new ones entirely. Build a new kitchen, family room, master suite, guest room - or pick more than one.

How Much Do Additions Cost?

It’s very difficult to estimate the price of an addition. The total cost depends on size, layout, design, geographic location and the cost of labor and materials. According to data from ServiceMagic.com, the average cost of an addition is more than $40,000. However, very large or second-floor additions can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Additions Pros

• Greater resale value - A well-constructed addition that is an appropriate size for the neighborhood can bring a dollar-for-dollar return when you sell the house. The return on sunrooms caps out at about 70 cents on the dollar.
• Fewer placement restrictions - Sunrooms need to be constructed on the side or the back of the house. With an addition, there are fewer restrictions. You can always build up if your lot is small.
• More energy efficient - Traditional construction is much more energy efficient than a sunroom because there are fewer windows and more insulation. You’ll save money on heating and cooling costs.

Additions Cons

• Disruptive construction - The construction process is far more disruptive with an addition because it impacts the main structure. Sunrooms can usually be built without removing existing walls, but that is rarely the case with an addition. The construction process takes longer, too.
• More expensive - Building an addition is usually considerably more expensive than building a sunroom. The construction process is more involved due to factors like heating, plumbing and removing existing walls.

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