Easy to Build Garages & Sheds

Foundation

• To build the foundation for a shed, Vivian says clear and level the ground at the building's proposed location. Lay out stakes and crisscrossed string to mark the building's dimensions. Remove grass and topsoil until it is even to a concrete block's thickness; pour in 6 inches of gravel and tamp well. Mix the required amount of dry concrete with water; dump half of it onto the tamped gravel, spread it out and then set the blocks into the mix. Make sure each block is plumb and level, and then top them off with a thick bead of mortar. Consider hiring a concrete subcontractor to do the foundation for a garage; this could be a cost-effective investment, especially when dealing with compliance issues related to building codes, according to Instructables.com. The website advises that once you determine your design, take the sketch to a building supply center where you can get a computerized list of the building materials needed to complete your project.

Framing the Walls

• With the foundation complete, the next step is framing the walls and determining where the doors and windows will be. According to home improvement store Rona Inc., wall studs made of 2-by-4-inch lumber should be centered every 16 inches. Build the walls one by one, making sure the outside dimensions match that of the building's floor. If the wall has a window or door, include a king stud at the perimeter of the opening to support the window or door header. With all four walls up, begin the outer sheathing.

Roofing

• The easiest way to rough-in the roof is with prefabricated trusses, says Instructables.com. The website recommends "racking the trusses at one end of the garage upside down, resting on the top plates." To correctly center the trusses above the studs, go along the top plate and mark 24 inches on center points where the trusses will be installed. When building the roof for a shed, the Rona website says, assemble the rafters, centering each one every 16 inches. Mark the truss beams every 16 inches where the rafters will be installed, and then nail the rafters to the truss beam and the joists.

Other Considerations

• After installing the shingles on the roof, begin installing the exterior vinyl siding. Vivian says consider building a ramp to take such items as a tiller or farm tractor into the shed. Instructables.com says if you want electricity in your garage, you'll need a separate building code permit and further inspections from the city's zoning office.