Building an 8x12 (96 sq ft) shed typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000. The final price depends primarily on your labor route. Basic, self-built projects can run as low as $1,500 to $2,500 for raw materials, while hiring a contractor or buying pre-fabricated kits will push the price to $3,000 to $6,000+.
Factors That Determine If You Need a Permit
Many municipalities allow small sheds without a permit, but require one for larger structures. Common thresholds are 100, 120, or 200 square feet. If your shed exceeds the size limit for your area, you will likely need a permit.
The typical DIY weekend timeline to build a shed kit breaks down like this: Small sheds (up to 8×10) take about 4–8 hours. Medium sheds (10×12 to 12×16) require roughly 1–2 days. Large sheds (12×18+) need 2–3 days for complete assembly.
On average, most homeowners spend between $3,000 and $8,000 to complete a standard 12×12 storage shed. However, higher-end builds with upgraded siding, shingles, windows, and electrical can exceed $10,000. Understanding where that money goes will help you budget accurately and avoid underestimating the project.
Home Depot typically charges between $600 and $1,500 in labor to assemble and install a pre-fabricated shed kit. However, if you purchase a Tuff Shed directly through them, both delivery and installation are frequently bundled into the total upfront price.
Generally, buying a prefabricated shed is cheaper and much faster. While building a DIY shed from scratch can save money on labor, material costs, necessary tool purchases, and foundation prep often make a DIY build roughly the same price—or even more expensive—than a pre-built or kit option.
So, do sheds add property value? It depends. If categorized as real property, it may increase your tax burden, particularly if it is large or resembles a cabin shed with a porch or lofted barn shed. On the other hand, if it remains personal property, it is typically exempt from direct taxation.
If you're looking for the best possible price, the winter or early spring is a great time to buy. However, if you need the building right away, you may want to consider buying it during the summer or fall.
Yes, any 12×20 shed needs to have some kind of foundation. Generally, smaller sheds (up to 6×8) do not need a foundation. Medium-size sheds can rest on gravel. Large sheds will need to have a strong foundation like a concrete pad.
The cost to build a shed ranges from $20 to $150 per square foot, depending on shed style, materials, and customizations. Larger custom sheds often require more labor, costing around $40 to $75 per square foot for professional installation.
5 common mistakes to avoid when building a shed
Yes, plastic sheds absolutely need a flat, level, and solid base. While plastic sheds often come with a built-in plastic floor, these floors are purely for stepping on and will easily crack or warp if placed directly on grass or uneven dirt.
Medium Sheds: 8x12
An 8x12 shed gives you 96 square feet of space. With this shed size, you can comfortably store a riding lawn mower, ATV, or golf cart. The door size makes a big difference in what vehicles you can store - make sure you get a door big enough to accommodate what you want in the shed!
The “Detached Living Unit” Issue. Adding a shower or toilet can reclassify your she shed as a detached living unit. That means it's treated more like a small home than an outbuilding. This change can affect how close it can sit to your house or whether you can even have plumbing in it.
If you're thinking about building a shed for tools or even a she-shed to escape the rest of the family, there are rules around these as well. Requirements in each city will be different but frequently, sheds can't be built closer than 5 feet from the rear property line or 2 feet from the side property line.
But what are these criteria? Well, to avoid needing a building permit, the shed must: Be no larger than 20 square metres in floor area for residential zones. Be less than three metres high or 2.4 metres if built close to a boundary.
The cost for a wood shed with installation starts at $2,200. Costs can vary depending on factors like style, material and shed size.
Shed building costs depend on size, materials, and whether the shed is custom-built or pre-made. As a guide, installing a plastic shed typically starts from around £285, while a new custom shed may cost around £850 or more. Additional work such as shed removal, roofing repairs, or groundwork can increase costs.
Technically, you can place a shed directly on the ground, but it is not recommended. Placing a shed straight onto dirt or grass causes the floorboards to rot, invites pests, makes the shed shift out of level, and severely shortens its lifespan.
Building a 12x20 (240 sq. ft.) shed generally costs between $4,500 and $12,000, depending on whether you DIY or hire a contractor, and the level of finishing. For a basic, uninsulated storage shed, typical costs range from $20 to $40 per square foot.
Metal (Steel or Aluminum) sheds typically last the longest, often surviving 25 to over 50 years with proper maintenance. Because they do not rot, dent easily, or fall victim to termites, they are incredibly durable, though they do require occasional rust prevention and treatment.
Storage Shed Buying Guide
Some retailers may offer small mid-summer promotions, but large discounts are uncommon. Fall: As temperatures cool, shed demand starts to decline. Retailers begin to clear out stock before winter, which means you can often find better deals on display models or older inventory.