Look, these days 500 bucks isn’t much money.
In fact–you’d be lucky to get a month’s worth of groceries for that much.
That being said–if you’re looking to build a shed for 500 bucks or less–you need to know where you can cut back on costs.
You may not totally hit your goal depending on how expensive materials are when you’re reading this–but you can maximize the efficiency of your shed build by knowing which areas of the project you can drive cost-efficiency.
Lowering the Costs on the Foundation
In order to lower the cost of the shed build, you’ll want to think about how to cheaply do the base or foundation of the shed.
Foundations are important because they extend the life of your shed and help to ensure water runs off properly rather than pooling underneath the structure.
Two of the cheapest foundations you can build for a shed are:
- Plastic Base (Not as bad as it sounds)
- Concrete Pavers / Blocks
- Gravel Pad
Plastic Base Shed Foundation
Ok, I know this sounds bad–but hear me out.
You can totally build a shed and stick it on a plastic foundation base. Don’t believe me? Check out this plastic base on amazon for a little over $100 bucks.
Concrete Slabs Foundation
This is another low cost option that can be great for folks on a budget. You’ll want to lay concrete pavers level as the base along with wood bearers. You can use concrete blocks and bury them to make them level and set the timbers on top of that. Alternatively you can make the ground level and simply lay down concrete pavers in a grid to support the sub flooring of the shed.
Gravel Pad
Going with a gravel pad has many advantages (besides being very cost-effective).
If you have a relatively flat sloped yard–this foundation type is a lot easier to pull off.
The basic idea here is to use wood timbers to box in a 6 inch thick layer of gravel as the foundation. You’ll want to make sure to compact the gravel once it’s in place to keep it from shifting.
There are many different options when thinking about a foundation–and it’s going to be one of the most important aspects to your low cost build. Make sure to do this part right and don’t try to cut a ton of corners. Spend the time to research all of your foundation options before you get started and have a plan ahead of time.
Going cheap on the siding with vinyl
A big cost component of your $500 shed build is going to be the siding you put on it. Some people like to go fancy with the siding and use cedar or other expensive wood-based product.
For us, the cheapskates out there–we prefer plastic.
Vinyl siding is not only inexpensive, but it can last a really long time and it’s dead simple to install. You can also get the vinyl pieces pre-painted–which will save you on painting costs for the project.
When it comes to going with a mega low cost siding–it’s hard to beat vinyl. Who knew all that cheap plastic floating around would be useful one day!
Low Cost Shed Roofing
Ok, now every shed is going to need a roof.
The absolute lowest cost roof you can install on your shed is most likely going to be MSR Rolled Roofing (Mineral-surfaced roll).
MSR roofing is easy to install for the DIYer and is thinner than a standard 3 tab shingle–making it a lower cost option.
Keep in mind–since it’s the cheaper option–this sort of roofing will not last as long as a 3 tab shingle or other roofing options. Keep in mind that this roof will need to be replaced or repair more frequently than a higher quality material. With low cost–everything has a tradeoff.
Permits: The Hidden Cost of Shed Making
Permits from local authorities have a base cost–and can eat into your shed budget. You’ll want to contact your local building authority and ask them ahead of time how you can construct a shed with minimal or no permitting.
For example, in some localities you can skip the permitting process if the shed is laid on a “non-permanent” foundation (meaning it can be moved).
Permits can be expensive, so check ahead and see if you can find a way to make a shed without one based on the building method–and then go with that method to save on permitting costs.
Depending on your local ordinances–permits may be unavoidable. Getting work permitted (even if you don’t have to or can get around it) can also be beneficial down the road for things like resale value of your property–so you’ll want to consider the pros and cons before deciding to skimp out here.