Why I Chose Shed Plans Over Buying Prebuilt
I was one click away from spending over $3,000 on a prebuilt shed.
It was clean, delivered, and ready to drop into my backyard. No hammer. No measuring. No hassle.
But something didn’t feel right.
I kept thinking: “What am I really paying for? And what if I could do this myself?”
Turns out I could. And I did — with a plan pack that cost less than a cheap drill.
I documented exactly what tools I used, how long it took, and what it actually cost me to build it → here’s the full build breakdown
💰 Why I Almost Bought One
Like most people, I thought building a shed meant:
Hiring a contractor
Owning every tool at Home Depot
Or having 10+ years of framing experience
The local guy quoted me $3,200 for a basic 12x8 — not including the foundation.
At the time, it felt fair. But once I really looked at what I’d be getting, I realized...
I’d be paying thousands for something I didn’t even understand how to repair.
Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t rush — these are the 3 mistakes this plan helped me avoid → learn from them here
🔄 What Changed My Mind
While researching shed styles, I found a digital pack called My Shed Plans — a full library of step-by-step shed builds.
At first I thought: “No way this is legit.”
But after reading reviews, watching a walkthrough, and seeing actual diagrams — it was clear: this wasn’t a Pinterest download. It was a real blueprint library.
I figured even if I only built one shed, it would still be cheaper than hiring someone — and I’d learn something useful.
I ended up building more than one — these were my first 3 weekend builds → see them here
📦 What I Used Instead
I grabbed this pack:
👉 My Shed Plans — full DIY shed blueprint library
It included:
Printable plans
Tool + materials lists
Clean diagrams
Beginner guidance
Multiple styles and sizes
The 12x8 plan matched the one I was quoted on — except now I had full control.
Wondering what’s actually in the pack? I wrote a breakdown of everything you get — and what you don’t → see the full list
🔨 How It Went
Took me 3 weekends
Used only 5 basic tools
Built it on a gravel base with a level and string
Total cost? Around $1,400 in materials
Savings: over $1,800
No subcontractors. No delays. No mystery materials.
Just step-by-step guidance — and work I could actually be proud of.
💡 Why I’d Never Buy One Again
Here’s what I learned:
Buying a shed is faster — but it disconnects you from the build
Building teaches you more than storage
I now understand structure, spacing, and wood cost
I can upgrade it later, fix it when needed, and even help someone else build theirs
Owning the result feels different when your hands did the work.
🧰 Want to See What I Used?
You can get the exact shed plan pack I used here:
👉 Get the full shed blueprint library here
Even if you only build one shed, it’s worth it.
FAQs
Q: Can I build this with basic tools?
A: Yes. I used a drill, circular saw, clamps, tape, and patience.
Q: Is it printable?
A: Yes — every plan is downloadable and printable.
Q: What size sheds are included?
A: 100s — from small 6x6 garden builds to 12x20 storage monsters.