Are you thinking about building a shed for your home this summer? Sheds are very useful as storage buildings for household tools, garden equipment, summer toys, or anything else you can imagine! Or is your shed in need of an update? If so, you are not alone. It is estimated that 40 million decks in the United States are more than 20 years old, and the number is similar for homeowner’s sheds. Sheds are rising in popularity these days — for example, in the 2017 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey of most popular outdoor structures, sheds reached the top 10 list at number eight. Here are some tips to consider when looking for a shed builder for storage sheds this summer.
First, ask your shed builder what size options are available. Determine what you will use the shed for — are you going to store large equipment, such as lawnmowers and trimmers? What about tools for planting and pruning in the garden? If you have children, will outdoor toys, such as pool toys and bikes, be stored there? Consider the approximate space you currently need, and then request from the shed builder one that is about 25% larger than your current needs. This will accommodate your storage needs in the future, as your family may grow or to allow space for you to upgrade your outdoor tools.
Secondly, it is vital that the roof of your shed be well made and able to withstand the typical weather changes of the seasons in your area. A reputable shed builder will understand the gravity of this and assist you in choosing the best roof for your shed. For example, a metal roof will typically last 50 years or more, as long as it receives proper maintenance. It is a great investment! Part of the maintenance is yearly or every other year inspections, so be sure to ask your shed builder if their company offers that inspection service or if they can refer you to another company who will provide that. Additionally, the right roof can help save you on your home energy bill. For example, a metal roof can save you around 25% on your energy bill throughout the year. You can see how important it is to have the right roof from your shed builder!
Also, be sure to have a conversation with your shed builder about the siding for your shed. The most common siding materials for storage sheds are wood, vinyl, engineered wood, and metal. These are the materials that have been found to have durability for each of the seasonal weather changes and have been proven to last over a long period of time. They each have their strengths and offer a variety options for you to choose from to create a shed that is perfect for your particular home. Whichever shed builder in your community that you hire would be happy to discuss the benefits and pricing for each of the siding options.
And lastly, consider the overall cost of your storage shed. It has been found by the HomeAdvisor?s 2017 True Cost Survey that homeowners are now spending almost 60% more on home improvement projects in 2017 than they did last year. That is a significant increase! Consult several different shed builder companies in the area to ensure you are getting the best price for the size and type of shed you are looking for. This is a long term investment, so try to find a company that offers reasonable prices for a good, quality product.
Now you are ready to go find the perfect storage shed for your home. Remember, when looking into shed builders, find one that has sizes to meet your current and future storage needs, quality roofs that will last for decades, a variety of good options for siding, and all at an affordable rate for your family’s budget. The right storage shed will be a wonderful addition to your property that you can enjoy and make use of for years to come. Feel free to share these tips with your neighbors as well!