A quick peek behind many homes will reveal a small outbuilding. In many cases, this might be a prefab shed. Prefab, or prefabricated, sheds may be used for storage or as a workshop. In general, a homeowner who wants extra storage space is looking for an inexpensive, yet sturdy building. A prefab shed may be the answer to his problems.
A prefab shed differs from other kinds in that it comes to the home either already assembled or as a kit. It is not built from plans drawn up by the homeowner or contractor. A prefab shed may be made of wood or steel and many designs are available at home centers and garden stores.
A homeowner should consider how much storage space he needs when choosing a prefab shed, as well as how much space he has for the building. Also, does he want a pre-assembled shed, or is he able to put together a kit? If he is thinking about a kit, he will probably want to look at the instructions first to make sure he has all the necessary tools to build the shed. Metal kits are probably easier to assemble, but only basic carpentry skills are required for wooden prefab sheds.
Someone who feels his construction skills are not adequate for a kit may opt to have a contractor install the building for him. The advantage is that the installation will be a professional job and the homeowner may have some legal recourse if the structure collapses. If he builds it himself, he’s stuck with the results of his efforts, good or bad. However, a contractor’s services will drive up the price of the shed at least 100 percent.
A prefab shed usually starts at about US$150 and goes up from there. Size, quality and design all affect the price. A homeowner should look for quality in the structure before buying. If the prefab shed is steel, it should be hot dipped or galvanized steel for maximum durability. Wood sheds should be made from pressure treated wood. All prefab sheds should include a guarantee against damage from the elements for a certain period of time.
A well-built prefab shed should last for years and will pay for itself by providing usable storage space.