How Much Does It Cost to Build a Shed? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,000 - $15,000
The cost to have a professional assemble your shed for you averages around $3,500, but prices can range from $375 up to $100,000 depending on the complexity and your location.
The cost to build a shed can be as little as $375 if you buy a DIY kit or more than $100,000 if you fancy a large commercial shed. The average price you’ll pay is $3,500, but it depends on the size, type, and materials. Overall, you can expect to pay between $10 and $160 per square foot, depending on if you select a prefab option or custom build.
Whether you’re running short on space or want a home for all your yard toys, a shed is the perfect outdoor storage solution. But assembling your shed isn’t always the weekend project most homeowners have in mind. This guide covers how much it costs to hire someone to assemble a shed, factors that impact its price, and how to save money along the way.
- Average
- $3,500
- Low end
- $375
- high end
- $100,000
Cost of Building a Shed Factors
Factors that impact the cost of a shed are size, material, and style, but they are not the only ones influencing the final price. Because there are so many things to consider, speaking with a shed builder near you is the best way to understand the different choices you have when building a shed.
Here are other factors that affect this project.
Size
It goes without saying that the larger the shed, the more material and time it’ll require and the more it’ll cost. But how much it’ll cost for different shed sizes is what we’ll cover below. It’s important to consider the cost of a prefab shed and a custom-built shed in relation to the size, as that will dramatically impact the price you pay for shed installation costs. For prefab sheds, expect a cost of $10 to $40 per square foot. For custom builds, that price jumps up to $30 to $160 per square foot.
| Shed Size, in Feet | Average Cost, Prefab | Average Cost, Custom Build |
|---|---|---|
| 4x6 | $240–$960 | $720–$3,800 |
| 6x6 | $360–$1,400 | $1,100–$5,800 |
| 8x8 | $640–$2,600 | $1,900–$10,200 |
| 8x10 | $800–$3,200 | $2,400–$12,800 |
| 10x10 | $1,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$16,000 |
| 12x12 | $1,400–$5,800 | $4,300–$23,000 |
| 12x16 | $1,900–$7,700 | $5,800–$30,700 |
| 12x20 | $2,400–$9,600 | $7,200–$38,400 |
| 16x16 | $2,600–$10,200 | $7,700–$41,000 |
| 16x20 | $3,200–$12,800 | $9,600–$51,200 |
| 20x20 | $4,000–$16,000 | $12,000–$64,000 |
| 20x24 | $4,800–$19,200 | $14,400–$76,800 |
Prefab vs. Custom
Opting for a prefabricated shed is one of the easiest ways to lower project costs. You will find pre-made models and DIY kits for as low as $350 and all the way up to $4,000 or more for larger, more equipped models.
Custom sheds, however, cost between $60 and $150 per square foot, or a total of $800 to $15,000 on average for materials and labor. And while there are many pros and cons to both prefab and custom sheds, there are clear cost differences.
| Prefab Sheds | Custom Sheds |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective | More expensive option |
| Life span of up to 10 years | Life span of up to 30 years |
| Limited customizable options | Highly customizable |
| Built on-site | Built off-site and moved onto property |
| Installed in 4 to 8 hours | Takes 2 to 5 days to build |
Types
Sheds come in an endless array of designs, uses, and styles, and all come with their own price tags. Farm sheds equipped for housing animals, for example, will start at around $3,000, while sheds large and open enough to fit a garage start at around $7,000.
Each type of shed indicates the type of materials used and whether it requires add-ons like insulation, plumbing, and electricity. We'll break down each type of shed and its costs below.
Materials
A quick throwback to “The Three Little Pigs” is enough to remind you of all the materials used to build a strong and eye-catching shed. The building materials will have just as large an impact on cost as the type of shed you choose.
While stronger materials like brick will ensure a longer-lasting structure, they will cost more upfront and require a sturdier and more costly foundation. Plastic sheds, however, will cost as low as $350 but will not withstand the elements as well as brick, metal, wood, or steel. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the different materials you can use to build a shed and their costs.
Prep
Whether you choose a lightweight prefab or build a hefty metal shed with a slab foundation, you can't just plop it down on any piece of land. The land for a shed needs to be cleared, leveled, and support proper drainage.
Clearing land costs $250 to $2,800 per-half-acre, and leveling your yard will cost as low as $400 for a small piece of land.
Roofing
You’ll need a roof to protect your shed, just like the one on your home. And the roof you choose will impact your total shed installation cost because, like the shed, there are different materials available.
A shed roof costs $3.75 per square foot to install. Asphalt shingles are a common choice for sheds thanks to their wallet-friendly price tag (about $1.25 per square foot), ease of installation (compared to other roof materials), and wide range of color options. A metal shed roof is extremely durable but requires hiring a roofer for the installation, and metal shingles cost around $3 to $18 per square foot.
Foundation
If you’re looking to add a concrete slab to your shed, expect to pay $4,000 to $12,300. However, it’s worth noting that even if some prefab sheds don’t require a foundation, some communities or cities might.
Electrical and Plumbing
Most homeowners use their shed as an outdoor storage system. But if your purpose for yours involves electrical, plumbing, or both, you’ll be paying extra toward the total price of a shed. The cost to hire an electrician is $40 to $100 per hour. And the average cost of hiring a plumber is $45 to $150 per hour.
Insulation
If you’re looking to keep your shed insulated, the cost to add insulation is $0.35 to $3 per square foot, depending on the insulation type and thickness.
Permit
Typically, not all sheds need a building permit, but it might be a requirement for larger sheds or to satisfy your local building code. The cost to obtain a shed permit is approximately $250, but it can cost up to $2,000.
Labor
Hire a handyperson to help build a prefabricated shed for between $60 and $125 per hour, or for a flat rate based on the extent of the project. Keep in mind that some prefab sheds come with installation assistance built into the price.
On the other hand, custom sheds will cost a bit more when it comes to the cost of labor. You'll need a local building contractor, who will charge between $50 and $100 per hour. Ultimately, you should allow for $200 to $6,000 for labor costs to assemble a shed.
Use
Do you have big plans for your shed once it's done? If you're already mapping out your storage plans, choose a design sturdy enough to support shelves and heavy objects.
You may also need to consider:
Cost of an electrician: $50–$100 per hour
Cost to lay new pipes: $0.50–$8 per linear foot
Cost to Build a Shed by Type
In the past, sheds served one purpose. But the changing tides have brought sheds that fit various needs with it. Here are common shed types and the typical all-in price you’re looking to spend for it.
| Type of Shed | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Modern shed | $5,000–$16,000 |
| Farm implement shed | $3,000–$40,000 |
| Storage shed | $800–$2,300 |
| Garage shed | $7,000–$10,400 |
| Garden shed and greenhouse combination | $600–$10,000 |
| American barn style | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Hoop shed | $2,000 |
| Pole shed | $4,000–$11,000 |
| Commercial shed | $25,000–$80,000 |
| Custom | $800–$5,000 |
Cost to Build a Shed by Material
Each material used for shed assembly comes with benefits that attract homeowners or downsides that’ll have them looking elsewhere. Below, we’ll cover what prices you’re looking at based on the material you want.
| Shed Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Wood | $1,000–$4,300 |
| Prefab Metal | $500–$7,000 |
| Concrete | $10,000–$28,000 |
| Brick | $15,000–$30,000 |
| Plastic | $750–$4,000 |
DIY Shed Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
Prefabricated sheds tend to come with everything you need outside of a few staple household tools, like a drill or screwdriver, making it a DIY-friendly project for those moderately skilled homeowners.
The cost to assemble your shed yourself will depend on what tools you need to buy. But if you need to pour a concrete slab, install plumbing or wiring, or add insulation, you’ll need to contact a pro to help with this project. Also, if you’re looking for a more custom shed that’ll require building your shed from scratch, contact a professional shed builder near you to complete the job.
Common Shed Add-Ons
There are multiple features you can add to spruce up your shed. For example, skylights, windows, roof upgrades, shed solar panels, or gutters can increase the assembly price.
You may also want to upgrade the area just outside the shed with custom landscaping, walkways, or patios. Here are some of the most common additions made to sheds and how much they will cost on average.
The cost to install a new window is $300 to $1,00.
The cost to install a skylight is $500 to $5,000.
The cost of roof replacement is $4.25 to $11 per square foot.
The cost of new gutters is $4 to $40 per linear foot.
The cost to hire a professional landscaper is $4 to $10 per square foot.
The cost to install solar panels is $2.50 and $3.50 per watt for professional installation.
The cost to install a concrete walkway is $9 per square foot.
The cost to build a patio is $10 to $50 per square foot.
How to Save Money on the Cost to Assemble a Shed
If you’re looking to build a shed while keeping it budget-friendly, find a balance between function and style. The best way to save money when assembling a shed is through the material used to build it. Unless you have to follow local codes, community guidelines, and weather restraints, pick the material that’ll satisfy your needs for a shed without breaking the bank.
Other ways to save money on the cost of building a shed include:
Consider a single-sloped roof, which needs less roofing material.
Keeping your shed on the smaller size, versus going all-out.
Keeping a simple layout with minimal additions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes to build a shed heavily depends on the type of shed you buy. A prefab shed can be built in 4 to 8 hours, while a custom shed will be built off-site over the span of 2 to 5 days. It then takes a few hours, depending on the location, to move the finished shed to its final location.
The pro you need to hire to build your shed depends on the shed you purchase. A local handyman or general contractor can help build a prefab shed for you. However, if you’re looking for a custom shed, contacting a shed builder near you is the best option. Make sure you get quotes from 3 pros to decide on the best pro for your job.
Whether you buy a prefabricated shed or build one depends on why you need it and where you stay. For instance, if a simple garden shed is what you’re after, it’ll be less expensive to buy one already built. But if you want a shed with windows, plumbing, and electric work, a custom-built unit might be more suited to your needs.
While sheds are most certainly helpful for most homeowners, unfortunately, sheds do not add value to a home or property in the traditional sense. However, if the home has limited storage or garage space, having a shed to store things like decorations or lawn equipment can certainly be a positive if you want to sell.