Should You Build or Buy a Shed? Cost Comparison

build or buy a shed cost comparison building vs buying sheds

Are you thinking about investing in a backyard shed?

Sheds are incredibly versatile buildings, giving homeowners a place to store garden tools, extra belongings, and much more. Sheds can even add value to your home property or make your house easier to sell.

But is it cheaper to build or buy a shed?

In this post, we compare the cost of building a shed versus buying one. Keep reading for insight on whether you should build or buy a shed!


Buying a Shed

A variety of garden and home supply stores sell pre-made sheds to homeowners. With pre-made sheds, all you have to do is cart the structure to its final destination and--voila!

It's also possible to hire a contractor to design, build, and install a custom-made shed. 

If you're considering buying a shed, you do have the advantage of options. Most pre-made sheds come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and materials. If you go the custom route, you'll have even greater control over the end result.

What does it cost to buy a shed?

If you purchase a pre-made shed, you can expect to pay between $400 and $3,000, depending on size, materials, and design. You may have to pay additional fees for shipping, delivery, and installation (if applicable).

Homeowners who choose to hire a contractor are likely to pay more than this. Contractors typically charge for labor and materials. They may charge more for design. 

Hiring professionals to build and install a shed for you can thus cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Once again, this depends on the shed materials you use, size of the shed, and scale of manufacture.

Thinking about a pre-made shed? Check out 1st Choice Leisure Buildings so you'll have the best shed on the block!


Building a Shed

Building anything yourself requires substantial time, effort, and resources. However, it does mean that you can control every step of the construction process, including that end result!

When building your own shed, you will need to create a design, source your materials, and construct the structure yourself.

You may or may not tackle all of these steps yourself! Some homeowners, for example, hire architects to design add-on structures like sheds, tiny homes, and detached garages. 

So what does it cost to build a shed?

In general, homeowners can expect to shell out a minimum of $300 to build their own shed. They can pay more, depending on the type and quality of materials.

For example, you may choose to build your shed out of entirely repurposed or secondhand materials. This could cost you even less than $300!

On the other hand, you could purchase all-new materials from a home supply store. New material costs can range from $800 to $3,000. 

You may also want to add fine finishing touches to your shed from https://www.naddourscustommetalworks.com/orange-county-iron-works to really up the value of your shed or other parts of your property.

Homeowners may also need to purchase tools and equipment to take care of the actual shed construction. These costs can vary, typically ranging between $50 and $500.

Don't forget about your own labor costs either while building a shed. Your time spent building a shed from scratch is valuable, especially if it takes away from other money-earning tasks.


Final Thoughts: To Build or Buy a Shed?

Now that you have your detailed cost comparison, should you build or buy a shed?

Your shed choice depends first and foremost on your budget. If you have the resources for a custom-made shed, it may be better to purchase a shed outright.

On the other hand, building a shed may be more cost-effective, especially if you use recycled or repurposed materials.

If you do take the DIY shed route, check out these tips for building sheds and other household features sustainably and frugally! Also read more about home improvement tips in the Real Estate section of the Bootstrap Business Blog right now!

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