How to Make a Footer for a Shed

A footer is the base of a building's foundation. A well-poured footer is an important element in the stability of the building. A footer may be poured into a plywood form framed above ground, or it may be poured directly into channels dug in the ground. Above ground footers have higher labor and material costs but waste less concrete. In-ground footers have significantly lower labor and material costs and slightly higher waste. All things equal, in-ground footers are a better value for your shed.

Spray can
Tape measure
Rebar chairs
#5 rebar
Rebar bender
Rebar ties
Concrete
Concrete float

Instructions

- 1
  Spray paint the perimeter of the shed on the ground. Dig a channel on the painted line, 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep. The walls and bottom of the footer should be straight and flat, respectively.
- 2
  Place a rebar chair every four feet along the bottom of the channel. Lay two pieces of #5 rebar across the chairs around the entire footer. Bend the rebar to fit around corners with a rebar bender. Tie the rebar to the chairs with rebar ties.
- 3
  Measure the area of your footer and order the appropriate amount of S2 concrete. One yard (27 cubic feet) of concrete will cover about 20 feet of footer. Order a calcium additive if you plan to pour during winter in a cold region.
- 4
  Pour the concrete and smooth the surface with a concrete float. Allow at least 24 hours for the concrete to cure before building a shed on it.

Residential Flat Roof Techniques

Making Stairs Out of Logs

Building Designs