How to build your own shed from scratch – on a budget

How to build your own shed from scratch – on a budget

Building a shed from scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

I choose to go with a shed that is 12 by 10 feet, or 3 by 3.6 meters and 2.4 meters tall. To comply with the permissible development regulations, I've limited the height to 2.4m. You will require planning authorization if you build any taller.

Building the shed base in step one

The first step was to level the ground and remove any rubbish.  

Using a measuring tape I used four stones to roughly delineate the shed's size.

I then started manually moving dirt, sand, and gravel from one side to the other until it appeared to be roughly level. Sand and gravel should be added to the ground to make it more durable for construction.

Use a lengthy piece of wood or a sizable spirit level.

constructing a shed base on a sloped or uneven surface

You will need to think about a somewhat different strategy if you plan to build your shed on unlevel terrain. Here is a comprehensive instruction I wrote on how to build a shed base on sloped terrain and uneven land. Anyone wanting to construct a shed in a yard with sloping landscapes, uneven terrain, or even steep slopes will find it to be a valuable resource.

Footings for the shed

I borrowed reclaimed slabs from a friend in order to save money. I used a tape measure to position one in each corner of the shed.

I excavated a square hole under each slab between 6 and 10 inches wide to assure a stable surface that wouldn't move. The hole was then filled with concrete, sand, and cement before the slab was carefully placed on top.

preparing cement

This is really fairly easy. If you have access to one, you can mix this in a cement mixer, cement mixing tray, or wheelbarrow.  

To complete the mixture, you'll need cement, sharp sand, and water. Sand and cement should first be combined. (Aim for a ratio of 1 part cement to 4 parts sand.

To fit along the sides of the OSB board, I had to make sure the cross supports were in the proper location. These are 18mm thick and 2440mm x 1220mm in size. For added stability, I chose an 18mm board rather than a smaller 12mm one.

All of these were fastened with 40mm screws.

The OSB board was cut to the right size using a circular saw.

So, the base is pretty much finished. This shed floor is incredibly sturdy and can hold a substantial amount of weight. Read my other guide here if you're interested in creating a patio slab base or a concrete base for your shed.