Want to buy or build a 10x10 shed in Ames

[Iowa65]

I'm wanting to install a 10x10 (or larger) shed in my back yard. Lowes sells kits, but I'm curious if I can get one somewhere else or build my own from plans and save money.

The budget is 1000 bucks. I can have an 8x8 for that price, but so far I'm in the dark on the 10x10 stuff. I just want a simple gable shed. I don't like the barn looking ones. I need somewhere to park my riding mower, snow thrower, and a few sets of snow tires mounted on wheels.

I'm completely clueless about building supplies and the cost of something like this, so I wanted to ask for advice to see if buying the preplanned kits from Lowes are a rip off or not.

I'd be building it myself from plans or a kit if I buy something.

 

[2020cy]

Probably best getting a kit from Lowes, if you have the tools and basic know how. You will probably need to paint and shingle. If you you don't know how to do these things get a pre made shed.

 

[FarmClone]

By barn looking do you mean steel? (morton buildings?) For a 10x10 shed all you would need is 4 6x6 treated posts some 2x6s and sheet steel. Not too hard just have to think a little bit.

 

[besserheimerphat]

FYI if you build it yourself, I believe in Ames you need a permit to do anything larger than 10x10. My folks put up one of the vinyl kit ones at their old house and went a little smaller to avoid any permitting issues.

Unfortunately I never heard what it cost, but they seemed to like it. My dad poured a 3" concrete slab underneath it. I believe they're looking at putting one up at their new house now too.

 

[KCy]

Look on craigs list. I am in a similar situation and there are a few on there. Some are used that could be interesting trying to move, some are kits still in boxes. I saw a 7x7 kit for 500.

 

[cytech]

I'm wanting to install a 10x10 (or larger) shed in my back yard. Lowes sells kits, but I'm curious if I can get one somewhere else or build my own from plans and save money.

The budget is 1000 bucks. I can have an 8x8 for that price, but so far I'm in the dark on the 10x10 stuff. I just want a simple gable shed. I don't like the barn looking ones. I need somewhere to park my riding mower, snow thrower, and a few sets of snow tires mounted on wheels.

I'm completely clueless about building supplies and the cost of something like this, so I wanted to ask for advice to see if buying the preplanned kits from Lowes are a rip off or not.

I'd be building it myself from plans or a kit if I buy something.

I would guess you won't spend less than that if you want to pay someone else to do it. Only way to get it that cheap is to provide the labor yourself.

 

[Iowa65]

Yep, I completely understand that labor makes up a significant portion of the cost.

Do any of you have some plans for a simple shed? By 'barn' shed, I mean the ones with gambrel roofs (look like an old barn.) I'm thinking gable roof sheds should be cheaper to build, but you sacrifice overhead storage.

Roof Types

I'm kind of keen on the saltbox style roof design as well.

I'm no stranger to pounding nails with a hammer. I just am completely clueless where to start in terms of knowing how to throw together a parts list to have them pull for me at Lowes. Ames is horribly lacking on competing lumberyards for consumers.

I've got a 6x8' trailer (crappy two snowmobile trailer) that I can use to drive down to Ankeny go to Menards if I had to, but it's only good for about 800 pounds of weight.

 

[saf]

FYI if you build it yourself, I believe in Ames you need a permit to do anything larger than 10x10. My folks put up one of the vinyl kit ones at their old house and went a little smaller to avoid any permitting issues.

Unfortunately I never heard what it cost, but they seemed to like it. My dad poured a 3" concrete slab underneath it. I believe they're looking at putting one up at their new house now too.

I think it Ames it is actually anything larger than 120 sqft (or maybe greater than or equal to 120 sqft) needs a permit. 99% sure, as I looked it up late last year. I believe you also need to observe the standard setbacks (6 ft on side of property, 3 ft on back--I think) when building it.

 

[cytech]

I think it Ames it is actually anything larger than 120 sqft (or maybe greater than or equal to 120 sqft) needs a permit. 99% sure, as I looked it up late last year. I believe you also need to observe the standard setbacks (6 ft on side of property, 3 ft on back--I think) when building it.

Yes make sure you know where any easements are on your property before you start/

 

[JP4CY]

Don't hate on me DIY'ers but when I was in Sams Club, I saw a plastic one:

Sam's Club - samsclub.com

The reviews look pretty good for it.

 

[Iowa65]

I want a wooden (or steel sided) shed just due to aesthetics. I refuse to have any plastic ones on the property

 

[TykeClone]

I think it Ames it is actually anything larger than 120 sqft (or maybe greater than or equal to 120 sqft) needs a permit. 99% sure, as I looked it up late last year. I believe you also need to observe the standard setbacks (6 ft on side of property, 3 ft on back--I think) when building it.

Yes make sure you know where any easements are on your property before you start/

And if there are any other requirements (such as a concrete pad underneath the structure).

 

[Iowa65]

I'm planning on building it on skids and having it sit up off of the ground. Just a meager garden shed to park my mower in.

That way if all hell broke loose with the city, I could hook it up to a fork lift and move it to the other side of the yard or whatever. I might run to the library to see if they have any of those books full of plans that include a parts listing for a simple gable shed with T1-11 siding. I think I could knock one out in a weekend and the fit&finish would probably end up being nicer than those kits they have sitting outside at Lowes.

It's good to know the sq ft limitations in Ames. I want to do this without bothering with paperwork or permission from the city.

 

[drmwevr08]

It's good to know the sq ft limitations in Ames. I want to do this without bothering with paperwork or permission from the city.

I let them know not to bother you that weekend.

 

[GoCy]

I built a 10X12 last year, which is the largest you can do without a permit in Ames. Just call the city inspections department, and they can look up the easements on your property for you. Mine had a special 5' easement for the back of the lot. I poured a concrete pad for mine, did all the work myself, and it cost just over $1000. If you will buy the materials yourself, I don't think that a barn roof will save you too much money (since you will need to buy 8' long 2x4's and cut them down anyway). I went with a standard roof construction to gain the greater storage up top.

A kit would probably be a little cheaper, but they are often lower cost because they use cheaper materials, like 2x3 wall studs at 24" o.c.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

The only other (legal-type) thing I can think of is to check your abstract for any covenants that might restrict the permanent/temporary type of structure you can erect. Where we used to live (not Ames) we had a covenant that allowed only temporary structures, meaning it had to be built on skids even if it was for all intents and purposes permanent.

BTW, we're thinking of doing something similar this summer. Let me know how it goes for you.

 

[Iowa65]

I built a 10X12 last year, which is the largest you can do without a permit in Ames. Just call the city inspections department, and they can look up the easements on your property for you. Mine had a special 5' easement for the back of the lot. I poured a concrete pad for mine, did all the work myself, and it cost just over $1000. If you will buy the materials yourself, I don't think that a barn roof will save you too much money (since you will need to buy 8' long 2x4's and cut them down anyway). I went with a standard roof construction to gain the greater storage up top.

A kit would probably be a little cheaper, but they are often lower cost because they use cheaper materials, like 2x3 wall studs at 24" o.c.

Did your 1000 dollar bill include the concrete? I'm curious to know what a 10x12 foot concrete pad would cost as well if it's feasible to do something like that. Based on the 90 dollars a yard I've heard it costs to pour concrete, that's another 1200 dollars right there it seems.

 

[CylentButDeadly]

I know a carpenter that could help you out.

 

[dornstar44]

Did your 1000 dollar bill include the concrete? I'm curious to know what a 10x12 foot concrete pad would cost as well if it's feasible to do something like that. Based on the 90 dollars a yard I've heard it costs to pour concrete, that's another 1200 dollars right there it seems.

By my math, a 10' x 12' x 3" concrete pad would only be 1.111 cubic yards of concrete, so about $100.