2024 Guide: The Cost to Build a Shed
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Sheds offer a host of benefits, from providing extra storage space to providing a cozy bit of privacy. The cost to build a shed ranges from as little as $600 up to $4,300, while the average cost is $3,500.
Highlights
- The typical cost to build a shed ranges between $600 and $4,300, while the national average cost is $3,500.
- Some of the main factors that affect the total cost include shed size and style, the materials used, and the cost of labor and permits.
- The main benefits of building a shed include additional storage space, a more secure place to store expensive lawn or recreational equipment, and a good return on investment.
- Handy homeowners may be able to build a shed themselves using a prefab kit, but many opt to hire a pro, either to put a kit together or to build a custom shed.
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With the high cost of indoor living space, many homeowners opt to construct a shed to store overflow items. A shed can serve as a lawn-and-garden catchall or be used as a separate office or she shed. According to Angi, the typical cost to build a shed is $600 to $4,300, and while that’s a pretty wide range, the national average is $3,500. The price range includes purchasing a small prefab shed and hiring a pro to install a custom model.
Among the most significant factors in the cost difference are the type of materials chosen and the method used to build the shed. In general, expect to pay $15 to $150 per square foot for a shed.
Key Cost Factors
While the national average cost to build a shed is $3,500, this will fluctuate based on the size and the style of the shed, the material, and the cost of labor. When estimating the cost, consider the following factors.
Shed Size
The larger the shed, the more it will cost. A small 4-foot by 7-foot shed ranges from around $100 to $1,000, while a larger 12-foot by 16-foot shed runs about $3,000 to $15,000. It’s not just floor space that counts—consider height as well. A shed with a low roof will cost less than a shed with a higher roof.
Materials and Supplies
The type of materials used in the construction of the shed plays a significant role in the ultimate cost of building a shed. For example, a small prefab vinyl shed could run as little as $200, while a metal shed ranges from $500 to $7,000. A shed built from wood costs between $3,000 and $15,000. At the high end, a shed made from brick or stone could potentially run as much as $30,000.
Shed Style
The shed’s style and purpose are also related to the final cost. A simple garden shed might cost between $100 and $1,000, while a storage shed can run $300 to $15,000, depending on its size and whether it features amenities such as shelving. An open-stall shed might run $1,500 to $10,000, while a shed used as an office or a she shed typically runs $5,000 to $15,000.
Labor and Permits
Communities vary in ordinances and building codes, and if you have to pull a permit, you could pay $100 or more. The cost of living also varies from community to community, so the going rate of labor will impact the final cost of the shed. In general, a contractor will charge between $50 and $100 per hour per worker.
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Additional Costs and Considerations
Storage sheds can come with a few added costs you may not have considered. While the average price tag of a shed ranges from $600 to $4,300, factors such as whether the shed will have a foundation or finished interior living standards will also figure into the final tally. Before choosing a shed, consider the following aspects that may come into play.
Land Clearing and Excavation
A backyard shed must sit on level ground to be functional and efficient. If the spot where the shed is to be located currently has shrubs or trees or sits on a slope, the land must first be cleared and leveled. This excavating process could cost anywhere from $1,300 to $4,400.
Foundation Building
Not all prefab shed manufacturers require concrete slab foundations, but most large custom-built sheds will start with one. Some municipalities require both prefab and custom-built sheds to have a slab foundation. Check with your local building authority for the rules in your community. If a foundation is necessary, it could add a substantial amount to the final cost, from around $4,000 to $12,300.
Electrical and Plumbing
If the shed will be used as an office, guest quarters, or a she shed, you’ll probably want to have it wired for electricity so you can install lights and plug in a coffeemaker, laptop, or other small appliances. In most communities, wiring must be done by a licensed electrician, and it could cost $600 to $2,200 to have electricity run to the shed.
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Insulation
Many sheds do not have insulation, but if you’re going to use the structure as an extension of your living space, you’ll want to have it insulated. Since most sheds are relatively small in size, insulating one isn’t a pricey proposition most of the time. The cost to have a shed insulated starts around $200, depending on the insulation used.
Prefab vs. Original Construction
Most home improvement centers feature a handful of available prefab sheds on their parking lots. Customers purchase the sheds in kits and then have them assembled at home. The average price of a prefab kit is $1,500 to $4,000. Having the kit assembled by a pro will add about $10 to $20 per square foot, depending on the complexity. In comparison, having a shed built from the ground up with raw materials runs more—about $40 to $75 per square foot, not counting the cost of the materials.
Customizations and Enhancements
Any unique additions or enhancements will increase the cost of building a shed. For example, having a shed constructed to serve as a custom playhouse for the family’s youngest members will cost $60 to $150 per square foot, depending on style and amenities. A prefab playhouse runs $500 to $5,000 before labor assembly costs.
Types of Sheds
Individual needs vary, and fortunately, there’s a shed type for just about every want or need. The type of finish that goes into creating different kinds of sheds will affect the overall cost. Before buying a shed or hiring a contractor to build one, determine the scope of its intended usage.
Storage Shed
With the high price-per-square-foot of home construction, homeowners often find themselves with inadequate room to store spillover items, such as sports equipment or bicycles. A shed designed for storage often has several wall shelves to organize items and can cost $300 to $15,000. Sometimes called a garage shed, this extra space can also hold a mechanic’s tools and auto supplies or be built as a shed workshop.
Garden Shed
Garden sheds are among the least expensive types of sheds available. They are often small, resembling a standing wardrobe with cabinet doors that enclose several shelves. A garden shed can usually be attached to the back or side of a garage for stability, and it will cost $100 to $1,000.
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She Shed
She sheds have been trending for a few years now, and they resemble storage sheds but may be upgraded to include a few windows. The interior is often finished with paneling or drywall to resemble the interior finish in a home and make the structure suitable for relaxing or for use as a home office. Expect to pay $5,000 to $15,000 to build a she shed.
Horse Run-In Shed
For those who own a horse or raise other animals, an agricultural run-in shed is just the ticket to offer the animals a modicum of protection against wind and rain. A run-in shed is open on one side so livestock can enter and exit at will, and the cost to build one ranges from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on size and materials.
Benefits of Building a Shed
When additional space is needed, a shed makes sense. The main goal is to ensure that the shed will meet the user’s needs. While the average cost to build a shed ranges from $600 to $4,300, the benefits will outweigh the price in many cases. Sheds offer some expected—as well as some surprise—benefits.
Storage
The most obvious benefit of a shed is typically the additional storage space it offers for storing lawn and garden tools, equipment, or other items, keeping them safely out of the elements. Starting at around $300 for an inexpensive shed kit and running as high as about $15,000 for a custom-built wood storage shed, the structure allows users to store items they don’t have room for elsewhere.
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