Calculate the Cost to Build a Shed

This calculator was designed to give you a ballpark estimate of the cost to build your own wooden storage shed. There are many variables to consider in order to get an exact cost: size, design, construction material, type of foundation, number of windows, number and type of doors, pitch of roof, roofing material, etc. The point of this calculator is not to give you a cost to the penny, but rather to determine if this is something you can afford at all. And if the answer is yes you can choose whether to build a shed, buy a shed kit, or buy a pre-built shed. This calculator will also help you to estimate the amount and cost of shed framing material needed. For the sake of comparison we have included the cost of shed kits and finished sheds below.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Shed?

Shed size is the biggest factor in what you'll pay. The table below shows estimated costs for common shed sizes, calculated with this shed cost estimator's default settings. Building it yourself means you pay for materials only; hiring a builder adds labor, which makes up close to 40% of the final price.

Want a deeper look at a specific size? See our cost breakdowns for an 8x10 shed, 8x12 shed, 10x10 shed, 10x12 shed, 12x20 shed, and 16x20 shed.

What size shed do you want?

• 6x8
• 8x10
• 8x12
• 10x12
• 10x16
• 12x16
• 12x20
• Other - smaller
• Other - larger

View Results

Loading ...

Recent Shed Guides

• Heartland Shed Reviews: Video Walkthroughs of 6 Lowe’s ModelsOctober 4, 2026
  Heartland sheds are sold at Lowe’s as pre-cut kits, so there’s no sawing involved, and Lowe’s offers professional installation if you’d rather not build it yourself. I’ve walked through six Heartland models […]
• 
  Do You Need a Permit to Build a Shed? How to Find Out Before You BuildSeptember 9, 2026
  Most sheds under 120-200 sq ft skip the building permit — but size isn't the only trigger. Here's how permit rules actually work, and how to find your city's exact threshold.
• 
  Backyard Workshop Sheds: Cost-Effective Designs and Planning ToolsAugust 3, 2026
  Summer 2026 marks peak season for backyard workshop construction across the United States, with homeowners seeking dedicated spaces for woodworking, automotive projects, and hobby pursuits. ShedCalculator.com provides detailed estimates for workshop-specific features […]

Detailed Shed Cost Quote

Once you have detailed plans and a list of materials, you can always submit the materials list to the pro desk at Home Depot or Lowe's and they'll give you an exact price quote - including delivery if you need it. Just call them to get their email address to send the list to. I did and here's what I got the next day. The cost to build a shed depends on what you want to build, how you want to build it, and the cost of materials (and perhaps labor) in your area. Keep in mind this tool just provides a ballpark estimate, as there are numerous variables that determine the exact cost, but it should at least provide a good starting point. It also never hurts to get a quote from a contractor. It might be cheaper than you expected, especially when you consider the fact that you don't have to deal with the hassle and hard work of the shed construction project.

About this Shed Cost Calculator...

This is a rough, ballpark tool for determining the cost of materials of a yard shed. It has to be because there are so many variables when it comes to building your own shed. There's so many designs, sizes, materials, doors, windows, options like cupolas, flower boxes, etc. But if you intend to make your own shed, this material list calculator should do a good job of giving you a rough estimate of the cost. It will also help you determine if the cost savings of providing the labor is worth it to you - for many people it is not. They decide they would rather spend a bit more money and buy a kit or even a fully finished shed.

Find the Cost to Build Any Size Shed 10x12, 12x16, 16x20

Building a storage shed will prove much cheaper if you construct it on your own rather than pay a premium to a builder to do the work on your behalf.  Though your time is certainly worth money, there is a certain feeling of pride and self-satisfaction from building something as significant as a shed in a DIY manner.  DIY is short for "Do it Yourself."  Once you are done with this DIY project, you will have saved hundreds or even thousands of dollars and feel especially satisfied with your self-made storage shed.

How do you plan to get a shed?

• Build it all yourself
• Assemble it from a shed kit
• Buy it pre-built
• Hire a contractor

View Results

Loading ...

Crunching the Numbers

Using the calculator's default settings (standard quality, gravel foundation, asphalt shingles, and wood siding), materials for a typical 8x10 to 12x16 shed run about $3,000 to $5,400, and hiring the work out brings that to roughly $4,900 to $8,700. A very small shed built with economy materials in a lower-cost region can come in under $2,000, while a large, premium shed with a metal roof and concrete slab can easily top $10,000. Enter your own dimensions in the calculator above to see where your project lands.

Steps to Building Your Shed

1. Get a rough cost estimate. Use the calculator above to determine a rough materials cost.
2. Choose exact size and design. Then buy high quality plans. Detailed plans are worth the expense.
3. Get detailed cost estimate. Send your plans and materials list to Lowe's or lumber yard near you.
4. Create a construction plan. Start building on your schedule. You'll need at least one helper.

The Cost of the Wood Frame

Most DIY shed builders opt for a wood frame.  This frame is quite popular as it is extremely durable.  Even if you are not an experienced carpenter, you can build your own storage shed frame without significant impediment.  However, building a wood frame will take some time, especially if the shed you have in mind is particularly large.  Furthermore, you will need more tools that would be necessary if you relied on a plastic or metal shed kit to construct this structure. 

In general, the average cost per square foot of a wood frame for a DIY shed is between $17 and $40.  Though this might seem a bit costly, it will prove cheaper than paying a concrete contractor $1,000 or more to pour a slab for the shed.  In comparison, a wood foundation is likely to cost a couple hundred dollars.  Furthermore, an added benefit of using wood is it is comparably easy to build with even if the ground slopes or is difficult to access. Use the calculator above to determine the amount of shed lumber you will need.

Ways to Save Money on Your DIY Storage Shed

Be sure to take some time to ensure the dimensions of your shed will make the most efficient use of the wood you purchase.  Consider using oriented strand board (OSB) siding for the shed as opposed to plywood or solid wood.  Siding panels comprised of OSB are also beneficial in that they are primed prior to sale, ultimately saving you money as well as time and effort.  Such panels are structural so there is no need to add an extra layer of sheathing below the siding.  All in all, this approach has the potential to cost $500 less than siding comprised of cedar plywood.

1. Use a cash back credit card when buying materials and save 5%. Here's two great examples: Discover card (also get a $50 credit when you sign up) and Capital One (also get a $500 cash bonus when you spend $4500 in the first 3 months – business owners only.)
2. Be sure to join Rakuten (formerly ebates) before buying anything online to save an additional 1%. These are all small percentages but when taken off potentially very expensive items they really add up.
3. Rent the tools you need at Home Depot or buy used on craigslist.

The Cost of the Door

Another creative way to save money on your DIY storage shed is to opt for an inexpensive custom door.  There is no sense paying for a pre-hung shed door that has the potential to cost in excess of $1,000 when the materials for a custom door will cost $150 or less.  Though a custom door might not prove as weather resistant as a pre-hung door, it will get the job done.  Furthermore, plenty of custom shed doors have an aesthetic similar to that of a customized wood door yet cost significantly less.

The Shed's Trim and Windows

There is no sense spending for solid wood trim when comparably cheap composite trim is available.  Opt for composite trim and you will save between $100 and $200.  There is no need to worry about any potential defects or knots when you take the composite route.  Furthermore, composite trim is primed ahead of time and ready to be painted.  This trim really does hold paint that much longer and better than top-notch wood trim.

Finally, you can reduce the cost to build a shed by minding the windows.  Why pay an egregiously large sum of money for those fancy looking windows when you can spend considerably less for arch-top windows?  While some windows have the potential to cost upwards of $400, arch-top windows typically cost $50 to $70.  In fact, you can build your own arch-top windows with basic materials available at the local lumberyard or home improvement center.

Wooden storage sheds and wood shed buildings are an excellent investment for homeowners looking to add a reliable, attractive and long-term storage unit to their backyard.

The Total Cost of a DIY Shed

Size and materials drive the total more than anything else. On a 10x12 shed, for example, upgrading from asphalt shingles to a metal roof adds roughly $900 in materials, and swapping a gravel pad for a concrete slab adds about $450. Choosing vinyl siding over wood saves around $250. Choices like these add up quickly, so it pays to price out a few combinations in the calculator before you buy.

When all is said and done, most DIY storage sheds in the 8x10 to 12x16 range cost about $3,000 to $5,500 in materials at today's prices, and the money-saving tips above can bring that down further. If you'd rather have a pro build it, use the quote form above to compare local builders.

Storage Shed Options: DIY vs Kit vs Pre-made

You need a storage shed but you're just not sure how to get one. Building a shed yourself would be the cheapest option, but requires a lot of work and time. (Calculate the cost to make a DIY shed at the top of this page.) You can buy a shed kit, which reduces the amount of work and time to construct. Or you can buy a shed pre-built and have it delivered and setup on your property.

Option #1 Buying the materials and building a shed DIY is the cheapest way to get a shed. If you're handy and have the time, quality shed plans and a good guide book may be all you need.

Option #2 Buying a shed kit saves you time because all the pieces have been pre-cut. You just need to put them all together. You can even buy a set of brackets and 2x4's to make a shed super easy.

Option #3 Buying a pre-made shed and having it delivered is the most expensive option. But it requires no time, no hassle, no tools. And you know it will look great and be made correctly.

Option #4 There's actually one more way to get a shed made: hire a contractor. Do this if you want a custom shed made. And depending on the quote you get, it may be cheaper than buying a shed online.

Shed Cost FAQ

How much does it cost to build a shed?

For the most common sizes, 8x10 through 12x16, expect roughly $3,000 to $5,400 in materials if you build it yourself, or about $4,900 to $8,700 if you hire a builder. Smaller and simpler sheds cost less; larger sheds with premium roofing or a concrete slab cost more. Use the shed cost calculator at the top of this page to estimate your exact size and materials.

How much does a shed cost per square foot?

A DIY 10x12 shed works out to about $32 per square foot in materials, and about $53 per square foot when hired out. Cost per square foot drops as sheds get bigger: a 12x16 comes in around $28 per square foot DIY and $45 hired out, because the door, windows, and other fixed costs are spread over more space.

Is it cheaper to build a shed or buy one?

It depends on what you're comparing. A budget pre-cut kit often has the lowest sticker price, but it covers the kit only, so you still pay for a foundation, paint, and sometimes roofing. Building from plans gives you full control over size and materials and avoids labor costs, which make up close to 40% of a hired-out shed's price. A pre-built, installed shed costs more but saves the most time. The comparison table above shows typical prices for each option.

Do I need a permit to build a shed?

It depends on your local building department. Many jurisdictions exempt small accessory buildings, often those under 120 or 200 square feet, but rules vary, and setbacks, HOA covenants, and electrical work can still require approval. Our guide on whether you need a permit to build a shed walks through how to check.

What is the cheapest way to build a shed?

Build it yourself, keep the footprint modest, and choose budget-friendly materials: a gravel pad instead of a concrete slab, asphalt shingles instead of metal, and dimensions that make efficient use of standard 4x8 sheets and lumber lengths. The money-saving tips earlier on this page can trim the total further.