Sunday, February 22, 2009

Free Shed Plans

Lately, I've been looking at those pre-built sheds that you see at various businesses along the highways. You know, the ones that proclaim "Rent to Own!". I've checked them out and it is tempting; you can buy them upfront or plop a couple hundred bucks down and then make monthly payments of less than $100 per month for some, even decent sized ones, and after 36 months it's yours to keep. They are nice, too.
I would like to have one because I currently live in a small house, and there is barely room for my office inside. There is also no room for my ham radio gear, and I would really like to set up a station again. A nice 12'x20' wooden shed would solve both problems.
The problem is, when you start crunching the numbers, the total price you would eventually pay is just too high. I mean, I had just about decided to buy one. They deliver the building in just a few days, and set it up for you. But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to commit to spending $6000 for a shed. Especially one I can build myself for a quarter of that, or less.
I have built my own sheds, too. In fact, I have designed and built my own sheds, and while they were functional, they sure didn't look like much; and in some cases I ended up spending more money, time and effort than was really necessary. I still like designing stuff for myself, but on anything more than a very simple structure, buying a good set of plans can save more than their purchase price in saved time and materials, not to mention eliminating mistakes that could come back to haunt you in the final product.
Well, I have found one of the best sites I have ever seen for shed plans, and all kinds of other stuff too, like doghouses, picnic tables, barns, decks, even boats. Furthermore, two sets of basic shed plans, one for an 8'x10' and the other an 8'x12', are free just for visiting the site.
Check it out.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You really have to watch the interest rate on a pay by month purchase. You can wind up being seriously screwed.

I think for a Ham set up you could build yourself something pretty nice for less than six grand.

Tracy said...

Yeah, I'm hoping I can build something decent for under $2000.

Anonymous said...

I have some short wave radios, but they are all receivers and I mostly just listen to the major outfits like Radio Canada and BBC, although their news service is far from unbiased. I thought about going for a Ham license, but I hadn't done morse code since the Marines in 1975, and at the time, that was a requirement for a novice license. I am told that is no longer true but right now, times being what they are, I can't afford a new hobby that is a bit pricey.

Tracy said...

Hermit, there is no longer any Morse code requirement, and you would be amazed at how cheap entry-level radios are becoming. You can get a 2 meter FM rig for local use for about the price of a CB, and they are much more useful. Even an HF (shortwave) transceiver can be found for under $500, sometimes well under that. From what I know about you, I think you would very much enjoy ham radio, my friend.

Rod Freeman said...

Around these parts they are selling used shipping containers for a thousand bucks. People are dropping them in the back of their property and using them as sheds. Pretty much bulletproof construction. Shipping them costs $$$ though, so if there isn't a seller nearby, you can pay through the nose to get it to your property.

Great post - enjoy your blog. Good luck with the shed!

squire said...

Save money and have the pleasure of doing it youself. Lowe's or Home Depot offer interest free for 12 months.

Anonymous said...

You need to be realistic and realize that the rent to own is somebody (not you) paying for materials and labor up front, and having that money out of the coffers for up to 3 years while they get payed back, and there is no credit needed, most people who need that option cause they dont have a couple thousand to purchase outright, well they probably dont have credit either, nothings free, they also have to cover costs of the 20% of the deadbeats that just dont make the payment, it costs money to go repo that shed, and the drips that dont pay, prolly didnt care if it was taken care of, it will need reworked before it can be resold, nothings free !