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How to build a shed, step by step
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My Shed Plans
A large collection of shed plans with cut lists and diagrams, according to the vendor. A good fit if you want one plan for one shed.
Do you need permission to build a shed?
In England, most garden sheds count as permitted development if they are single-storey, no more than 2.5 m tall when within 2 m of a boundary, and cover no more than half the garden. Listed buildings, conservation areas and front gardens have stricter rules. Check the Planning Portal before you buy timber. In the US, many towns need a permit above a certain floor area (often 120–200 sq ft), so ask your local building department.
What size shed should a beginner build?
Start smaller than you think. An 8×6 ft (about 2.4×1.8 m) or 8×10 ft shed uses standard 8 ft (2.4 m) lengths with little waste, and its roof spans are short enough that you don’t need trusses. Anything larger than about 10×12 ft is a different job: heavier joists, more help, and possibly permission.
My Shed Plans
A large collection of shed plans with cut lists and diagrams, according to the vendor. A good fit if you want one plan for one shed.
The eight stages
- Base. Concrete slab, paving slabs on compacted hardcore, or a timber frame on ground screws. It must be level and drain away from the shed.
- Floor frame. Pressure-treated joists at 400 mm (16 in) centres, then 18 mm OSB or plywood decking.
- Wall frames. Build each wall flat on the floor, square it by measuring the diagonals, then stand it up and brace it.
- Cladding. Shiplap or OSB plus a breathable membrane and cladding.
- Roof. A pent (single slope) roof is the easiest. Apex roofs look better but need accurate rafter cuts.
- Roof covering. Felt, EPDM rubber or shingles over a drip edge.
- Door and windows. Ledged and braced doors are simple and strong.
- Finish. Treat or paint all exterior timber and fit guttering if the roof is large.
The mistakes that ruin most first sheds
- A base that isn’t level. Every later stage inherits the error.
- Untreated timber in contact with the ground.
- No diagonal check on wall frames, so the door never closes properly.
- No roof overhang, which sends rainwater down the walls.
- Starting without a cut list, which means extra trips to the timber merchant and wasted wood.
Do you need a plan?
For a first shed, yes. A good plan gives you a cut list, a materials list and drawings for each stage, which is where beginners lose the most time and money. Free plans exist but often skip the cut list or the roof details. Paid plan collections cost about the same as a few lengths of timber and cover many sizes and roof styles.
Common questions
How long does it take to build a shed?
A simple 8×6 ft shed usually takes a beginner two to three weekends, including the base. Allow longer for an apex roof or a concrete slab, which needs time to cure.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a shed?
Building your own is usually cheaper for the same timber quality, because flat-pack sheds often use thinner cladding and framing. The saving shrinks if you have to buy tools.
What is the easiest shed roof for a beginner?
A pent (single-slope) roof. It needs only straight rafters set on a taller front wall and a shorter back wall.
What we’d look at next
My Shed Plans
A large collection of shed plans with cut lists and diagrams, according to the vendor. A good fit if you want one plan for one shed.
TedsWoodworking
A much bigger general woodworking library that includes sheds. Worth it if you’ll build other projects too.
Not sure which fits? Take the 30-second quiz or see our comparisons.
Related comparisons: TedsWoodworking vs My Shed Plans · Best woodworking guides for beginners: 3 compared
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A 4-page PDF plan for a sturdy freestanding 2×4 and plywood bench, with tool list, materials, cut list and step-by-step build. Metric with imperial equivalents.