Thinking of building extra storage or workspace on your property, but not sure you can afford it?
One of the most practical and profitable home projects you can take on is building a summer shed.
Whether you need a garden storage shed for equipment, a home office, hobby space, or just a nice relaxing area in your backyard…
The best thing about building a summer shed? You don’t have to spend a fortune to do it!
If you plan the right way, you can build a high-quality summer shed for a great price. You can even build it yourself to save on labor costs.
This guide will share all the details you need to make your budget summer shed happen.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why Build a 12×10 Summer Shed?
- Planning Your Budget-Friendly Build
- Smart Material Selection Strategies
- DIY vs Hiring Professional Installation
Why Build a 12×10 Summer Shed?
A 12×10 summer shed is the perfect size for most property owners. It’s not too small and it’s not too big.
12 feet wide by 10 feet long gives you a total of 120 square feet. This is big enough to build a summer shed with some serious storage or workspace.
It can also be a great size for a nice relaxing space in your backyard.
12×10 summer sheds are large enough for almost any project without going overboard.
But, on the other hand…
Shed size is one of the biggest factors in how much your build costs. According to the latest industry data, average homeowner shed costs range from $1,875 to $8,250.
Most budgets would love to find ways to get closer to the lower end of that range.
For a high-quality summerhouse 12×10 size, you’ll need to budget carefully from the very beginning.
This is great news! You can absolutely build a premium summer shed without a premium budget.
Think about how you want to use your space first. Storage only? Workshop? Garden hideaway?
The function of your shed will impact every choice you make, from materials to decorations. Planning it now also prevents the need for costly additions after the fact.
Planning Your Budget-Friendly Build
Plan, plan, plan.
This should be your first step in a budget shed build project. You cannot start this build without a detailed plan in place.
Here are the planning steps you should take:
Start by sketching a basic plan or finding free plans online. You can save a lot of money by finding free shed plans on websites and using those instead of hiring a designer.
Make sure you check local zoning and permitting requirements. Most areas require building permits for any shed over 120 square feet.
Permit fees usually cost between $50 and $145. However, some local governments are more lenient on smaller structures.
Never skip this step, or you’ll be in for bigger, more expensive problems later.
Foundation options:
The type of foundation you choose can have a significant impact on your costs. A concrete slab foundation can add $600 to $1,200 to your budget.
If you want to save money, there are cheaper options available to you:
- Gravel pad foundations ($100-$500)
- Concrete deck blocks with treated lumber on top
- Treated wood skids with wood sleepers on leveled ground
Any of these are suitable for summer sheds and can cut your foundation costs by 50% or more.
Just make sure your build location is level and has good drainage to avoid future problems.
Smart Material Selection Strategies
Material costs can sink or save your budget. This is where you have the most control over how much your build will cost.
Average DIY shed builders can save 10-50% of the total cost of the project by doing it themselves.
Framing:
Pressure-treated lumber is your best option for framing for the base and floor. It resists rot and insects which helps your shed last longer.
Normal 2×4 lumber works fine for wall framing. Buy in bulk at a big box store or local lumber yard to save on prices.
Siding:
Metal siding is the best value siding option at $15-$30 per square foot. Metal siding is durable and long-lasting, while still being weatherproof.
Wood siding is beautiful, but needs more maintenance and can cost $20-$50 per square foot.
If you want to save money, you can use salvaged materials on your interior walls.
Roofing:
Asphalt shingles are the budget winner here. They’re cheap, easy to install, and can last 15-20 years if properly maintained.
Go with asphalt shingles for a 12×10 summer shed. The price difference won’t be worth the metal roofing’s longer lifespan for most homeowners.
DIY vs Hiring Professional Installation
Do it yourself or hire professionals?
It’s the million dollar question.
The truth is that you can save a lot of money by installing the shed yourself.
Professional labor can run $50-$100 per hour. A 12×10 summer shed will take several days to complete.
Labor costs alone can range from $1,500-$3,000.
If you have some basic carpentry knowledge and tools, it’s totally feasible to build your own summer shed.
Tools you’ll need for this project:
- Circular saw
- Drill with drill bits and driver bits
- Level
- Tape measure
- Hammer
Rent or borrow the tools you don’t already own instead of buying them brand new. Just make sure you budget the cost of rentals into your budget.
Don’t try to be a hero though…
Some parts of this build will be worth hiring out for if you’re not comfortable. Electrical work should always be left to a licensed electrician.
It’s important to know your limitations and not try to do it all yourself. A poorly done DIY project will end up costing you more to fix later.
Cost-Cutting Tips That Actually Work
We’re going to take a look at some real money-saving tips now.
These strategies will help you shave hundreds of dollars off your budget without hurting the quality of your build.
Buy your materials at the right time.
Buying lumber, wood, and building materials can be significantly cheaper during the off-season. Late fall and winter are the best times to buy building materials when fewer people are building.
Shop around. Visit multiple suppliers and compare their prices. There can be significant price differences between big box stores and local lumber yards.
Simplify your design:
Stick to rectangular shapes, simple rooflines, and no angles. Every cut, angle, or fancy roof feature will add to the time and cost.
Don’t add features until later. If you decide you want extra windows or shelving later, you can always add them down the road.
Use salvaged materials:
Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can be great resources for free or cheap building materials. Salvaged wood and old windows are perfect for shed builds.
Inspect everything thoroughly for rot or damage though before you use it.
Maintaining Your Investment
You built it, now what?
Maintenance is what will keep your summer shed looking good and functioning well for years. It costs far less to perform preventative maintenance than it does to fix larger problems.
Perform a bi-annual inspection of your summer shed. Look for signs of damage and wear including:
- Loose shingles
- Rot in wood components
- Foundation movement
Minor repairs prevent larger issues from developing later. Touch-up painting every 3-5 years will help keep wood weather-resistant.
Vegetation growth around your shed can lead to moisture problems. Keep plants and grass trimmed back from the shed.
The Bottom Line
You can build a budget summer shed without sacrificing quality.
Planning carefully, choosing your materials with an eye on cost and function, and deciding what to do yourself and what to hire out.
Doing those things will help you build a beautiful, functional summer shed while still keeping your budget intact.
Remember these key points:
- Plan first before purchasing any materials
- Consider less expensive foundation options
- Choose materials that are a balance of price and quality
- Do what you can and pay for what you can’t
- Maintain your shed to protect your investment
Your perfect summer shed is within reach! With these budget-friendly tips, you can get that extra storage, hobby, or relaxation space without breaking the bank.
It’s time to grab those plans and start building.
