Need a new shed.

[kraggleflux]

This Winter was not kind to the prefab steel shed that was on the property when we bought the house and it's not in a crumpled mess, still mostly buried in snow. I've recently been pondering what to do for a replacement. We don't require much outdoor storage, but typically we have push-mower, a set of car tires, some garden tools / shovels and anything else that needs temporary shelter in the outside. A comparable replacement steel shed can be had for ~$500, but I've been thinking of building one instead. I don't have much construction experience, but I know my way around a saw and a tape measure and I really like the idea of taking a pile of wood and making it into something.

Financially I'm not sure I can build a cheaper shed out of wood than the pre-fab, but skill wise I'm also uncertain, albeit ambitious. The existing shed is 6x9 and I am fairly confident the floor is intact and I could easily ( maybe easily) frame a wall on it. Can anyone offer any advice?

[sisto]

Your best option would be to google 6x9 shed plans. You will likely be able to find free plans with a material list. Then you can get several ideas as well as check out the cost of the materials required via Home Depot or Lowes website. Sounds like a fun little project.

[HipGnosis]

The first step is to evaluate what you can use of the shed you have, including the floor.
You might be able to re-use; door hinges, latch, lock.  Roof?  The hardware that attaches it to the floor or ground?
The next step is to find out what materials are available to you.  Sheds have been made from used pallets and construction scraps.

[ctmustache]

I just erected a pre-fab steel shed, and installed a platform for it to sit on. I too, would much prefer to build from wood, but this was substantially cheaper. Note I got an 8x10 for under $300 with mover's coupon.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Arrow-Newport-10-ft-x-8-ft-Steel-Shed-NP10867/100211354

[kraggleflux]

Thanks guys.

CTmustasche - That looks nearly identical to the shed I have that is in a crumpled mess, different dimensions of course.

[paddedhat]

Don't know about your area, but I have generally found one thing to be true. If you have active shed building industry in your area, as in sales lots with all sizes for sale, and local ads for competitive sellers, you aren't going to be building one yourself for much less. One of the carpenters who worked for me sat down and we did a materials list for a 12x24 unit. He then went to the local dealer and bought a "leftover display," or whatever BS they were shoveling. It was purchased, delivered, and set up for a few hundred bucks over the cost of the materials.

[frompa]

We replaced our old falling apart shed with a cedar shed built according to simple plans from ana white... check out her website and easy to download and use plans. What a pleasure! Like you, we use it for our mower and a few other outside tools. Good luck.

[JinBoston]

Small sheds can be moved.   You see them (as well as people offering to move them) on Craigslist all the time.  You might try that.

[DangleStash]

You can also look into some of the simpler designs, like where it's one slope on the roof instead of 2 - you just have the front higher than the rear.  This can look cool or awful, depends on where you're putting it and if the looks matter.