Once you have made the decision to build an outdoor storage shed, the next step is to locate a set of step by step, easy to understand DIY plans to walk you through the build. I don’t know about you, but blueprints have to be easy for me. I have seen some DIY plans which I know are way too hard for me to understand. My motto with self build shed plans is go simple.

I don’t have advanced woodworking skills, but I can follow step by step plans. That is what motivates me to build my own woodworking projects. If I did not have access to these types of plan, I could not do the job by myself. Simple as that. There is no doubt the easiest option to build an outdoor shed is to buy a kit with the wood pre cut. All you have to do is to put it together. And, it won’t take up too much of your time.

I was recently looking for outdoor storage shed kits on Amazon and I found one I liked selling for around $400. The only problem is, the dimensions are too small for my particular storage needs, and the shed is made of polythene. My choice for a shed is wood. Because the dimensions of this particular shed are a bit on the small side I looked at building something at least 10 x 8 in wood, and even that size might be too small for me.

Some of my friends have vinyl sheds and say they are pleased with them. The only reservation I have with an outdoor shed made of vinyl is the possibility it might get blown over. They have to be anchored down to stop this happening. There is also the possibility of wind damage.

You can build an outdoor storage shed in metal if you prefer. I don’t know much about the outdoor metal sheds, but it is best to check the quality of the materials you choose for the shed before you commit. You want a few years wear out of the shed, at the least. Wood, too, tends to be not as solid as it used to be, and is therefore lighter in weight. That said, as long as you treat it correctly and maintain it, then it should serve you well.

If you decide to go the self build route to an outdoor storage shed, the first thing I would do is check to see if you need permission from your local authority to build one. They will want to know details of the proposed size of construction, and where it is to be situated.  If you do need permission they will let you know what happens next.

Ideally you need to build the shed on a flat surface. If you need foundations, be sure you have the right foundations for your size of shed. If the area you have chosen to build on is prone to surface water flooding you will need to raise the shed floor and the quality of the foundations will need to reflect this.

The rest of the outdoor storage shed construction will depend on the design you have chosen. I would definitely select a design which is pleasing to the eye, and which adds to the overall look of your property. I suspect you will soon fall out with a shed which is ugly and stands out for all the wrong reasons.