FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

COST TO BUILD

How much does it cost to build a shed? Construction costs are typically around $10.00 per square foot for a basic shed. Using this number a 8x10 shed would cost $800.00 to $1200.00. A comparable pre-built shed will typically cost about $24.00 per square foot which is a cost of $1960.00. (Please verify the true cost of your shed by checking local prices)

These are costs that customers have sent in.

12x16 Gambrel Shed with loft $2400. Spring 2016

12x20 Gambrel Shed with loft $3000. Spring 2016

The cost per sf goes down as the shed gets larger, as long as the shed style and details remain the same.

But there are many factors that can change the cost of your shed. Lumber prices vary depending on the time of year and region of the country. Items like windows, pre-hung doors and interior finishes will increase this cost. To get an accurate local cost it is best to take the materials list to a lumber yard and have them price the materials. The materials list can be downloaded from the respective plan page, click on the materials list image at the bottom of the page.

Why should I build a shed instead of buying? There are many reasons to build your own shed:

Get exactly what you want instead of what is offered by your local shed company.

Mass produced sheds are typically of a lesser quality than what you can build yourself.

Cost savings. By putting your labor into the shed building project you will save on the cost of getting a shed. Other things like shopping around for the lowest price on materials are necessary to reduce construction costs.

How is a shed built from Icreatables Sheds different from a shed bought from a shed company? Our sheds are designed and built similar to how a home is built. Many shed building companies cut corners to reduce costs. Building your own shed allows you the option to build the shed to whatever level of construction quality you desire.

BUILDING PERMIT QUESTIONS

My local building department needs engineering to submit plans for a building permit. Our plans are regularly used to apply for building permits because they are designed to be in align with typical building codes. They have implemented elements from the "prescriptive codes" in the IRC (International Residential Code). This means that they use "typical" building practices that are universally accepted. Every city has specific code requirements and interpretations.

Do the plans have engineering? No, the plans do not come with an engineers stamp. This is because for an engineer to stamp plans they would need to know the conditions present at your building site. This is not feasible given the diverse conditions across the country. (Some have high snow loads, others have high wind loads or seismic conditions etc.) You can take the plans to your local engineer and have him review the plans and stamp them and provide any necessary calculations to meet your local wind, seismic and roof loading requirements. Check with your engineer before purchasing the plans.

Every building department in the United States interprets the codes according to their local conditions, ie. soil, wind, seismic etc., and therefore it is necessary to have an engineer licensed for your state provide you with calculations for your specific project IF your local building authority requires it.

My county requires stamped plans by an engineer that verifies a structure will take snow loads of 50 pounds per sf and winds of 170 mph.  They will need to verify with the enigineer. Is this something you can do? 

The plans will need to be stamped by an engineer licensed in your state and for your address. It will be cheaper if you contact them directly. We recommend contacting a local builder or sales people at a local lumber yard and asking who they recommend. Larger engineering firms are expensive because they do not want to do small projects. You are looking for an engineer who works alone or with a small team.

Are the plans detailed enough to submit for Permit Approval? Yes our plans are used for building permits. They are drawn to the basic requirements outlined in the International Residential Code. Some areas have requirements in addition to the basic requirements, like for snow, wind or seismic loads. You will need to check with your local building department to find out what additional requirements may be needed for a building permit. Every City building department has their own requirements and interpretations of the code. The plans may need to be "red lined" by the plans examiner to show any additional information your building department needs.

Do the plans include the requirements for Florida? Hurricane Wind Speeds? We have information for building sheds in Florida. You can request this information by emailing our support@icreatables email. It is based on published engineering for Palm Beach County which has the most stringent wind requirements in the nation, 160 mph. Using this document works with about 95% of the time. We recommend that you take it to your building department and ask if it will work.

If they want a wet stamp from an engineer then you will need to take our plans to a local structural engineer and have them reviewed and stamped for your address.

Wind exposure category is site dependent and must be determined by the Engineer of Record based upon site conditions unless your local building department will allow the published engineering.

Engineering for most Florida areas needs to be done by an engineer licensed in Florida. Most of the additions are for hurricane straps and anchoring to the ground. The engineer can write additional engineering notes on the plans and submit calculations as a separate document. Some cities have a print out that can be attached as an addendum that you submit with the plans after getting it from the building department.

How Do I Know (before buying) if my building department will approve the plans?

Although every effort has been made to make our shed plans meet the International Residential Code (IRC), every city or county has its own interpretation of the building codes. Our plans are used regularly to apply for and get building permits. The only way to know if they will approve the plans is to ask them. The building department in most cities and counties have information as to what needs to be shown on the drawings and how the shed needs to be built.

We recommend you print off our example pages for a shed, click here to view the shed plans examples, and take them to your building department and ask them.

Some areas require engineering for the plans to certify them for your specific address. This must be done by a local structural engineer. They will review our plans and provide calculations and a stamp on the plans.

What does the IBC (International Building Code) say about building sheds? Secton Section 105.2 in the IBC states that one story detached accessory structures are exempt from a building permit as long as they do not exceed 120 square feet. Your local buiding department may have an amendment to this code. For example some towns allow up to 200 sqauare feet and some areas require a permit for anything being built.

Do your Pole Barns come with engineering? No. Because pole barns are not covered in the Prescriptive Building Codes it may be necessary to have a local engineer review your plans before construction begins.

PURCHASING PLANS AND CREDIT CARDS

Why does my credit card not work? There are many reasons why cards sometimes do not work. They include:

• Check that the address matches the billing address for the card.
• Some times it helps to input the 4 digit extension on the zip code.
• Old Paypal accounts may cause conflicts. Some people have a pay pal account that has issues and if so pay pal will not let them process a credit card transaction without calling them first.
• If you have a pay pal account sometimes pay pal will not process a card if paypal wants you to contact them regarding your account.
• Your bank will hold a transaction and and you need to call the bank and ask why and have the card released to make the purchase.

If I buy one plan can I have a discount for a second set of plans? Yes we offer the second set of shed plans at 1/2 price. The more expensive plan must be purchased at full price. The the less expensive plans can be purchased at 1/2 price.

To take advantage of this offer please follow the following steps:

1. Purchase the first set of plans
2. Email us and let us know of the plan you purchased and the additional plan desired.
3. We will determine the additional cost and reply to the email.
4. Make payment using our General Purchase Buttons Here: http://www.icreatables.com/sheds/purchase-general.html. You may need to use the "add to cart" or "continue shopping" function to add it up to the price.
5. When Pay Pal contacts you copy the order confirmation number.
6. Reply to our correspondence email message and paste the confirmation number into the email.
7. Send the email to us.
8. We will confirm the payment and changes
9. We will email the additional set of plans to you within 24 hours.

 

REFUND POLICY

Can the plans be returned?

Due to the electronic nature of our product we do not offer refunds. The reason for this is that there is no way for the product to be returned without the buyer retaining a copy of the product.

To aid in making your decision to purchase we have provided an example of our shed plans and videos showing sheds being built here:

Shed Plans Example

Shed Videos Showing Sheds Being Built

DOWNLOADING PLANS

How do I open the PDF drawing files on my Ipad or other computer? You can view them on a ipad by downloading the Adobe Reader software. It is a free reader that you can get at Adobe.com http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Why will the plans not download to my Ipad?

Unfortunately this is a limitation that is built into iPads.  Apple has designed the iPad to limit downloads that are not from a controlled marketplace. There are third party apps that will enable the ipad to download files from the internet. You will need to install the app and then download the file to your ipad.

You can also download the plan files to a desktop computer or lap top and then transfer them to your ipad for viewing.

MAILING QUESTIONS

Are the postal mailed plans on larger paper? Is it the same size as the downloadable copy? The plans will be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 either way. Larger plans are some times nicer to work from but they cost so much to print and if they were emailed they are hard to print. So we have them all the same whether emailed or postal mailed.

From the website, it looks like plans are shipped via U.S. Postal service, regular mail. Is there an expedited option with either U.S. Mail or other carriers like UPS or FedEx? Yes they are shipped USPS. We can overnight them if you contact us and let us know. We will check on what the extra cost will be for your zip code and get them out to you.

BUILDING SKILL LEVEL QUESTIONS

I haven’t built anything my skills are very beginner. Does this plan show all lumber needed? Does it show exactly what length and angle to cut each board? Is the plan written in step by step order? Can a dummy with a compound miter saw and a cheap table saw build this shed in a couple weekends. I have read that the plans aren’t detailed enough for a novice to complete. I think it would be fun to learn something and have a shed in the end. Thanks

Our plans are designed for homeowners to build their own sheds. You can download the free materials list on the respective page. You can download our example set of plans to see how they look on the respective page. https://www.icreatables.com/sheds/shed-plans-examples

There is a How To Build A Shed manual that comes with the plans that shows you how to build the different parts of the shed. The plans show the cut lengths and placement of each of the boards that are used to build the shed.

If you are concerned about your skill level when building a shed I would recommend watching our How To Build A Shed Videos and read the tutorial in the How To Build A Shed link at the top of the page on our website. If after seeing the shed be built you think you can do it then I would move forward and build your own shed.

 

PLAN QUESTIONS

What is the difference between emailed and postal mailed plans. ( I am curious if the PDF files sent via e-mail are different in size than the mailed set? For example, I assume the e-mailed file prints 8.5 X 11 inches. Is the mailed set a larger size set of prints; say 18X24 inches?) The PDF files and the Postal Mailed plans are the same size. They are both 8 1/2 x 11.

We use the smaller paper so you can get the plans on your computer and print them immediately after purchasing them.

Is the scale on the Hard Copy postal mailed plans the same as the Downloadable Plans? Yes. The plans that we postal mail are the same as the emailed copies, they just get to you much quicker.

The scale for the plans is 1/4" for things like the floor plans, elevations, wall framing plans etc. For the section it is 1/2" = 1'-0" and the details are 3/4"= 1'-0". This is the same scale the drawings would be if they were on larger paper.

You can print the plans examples at full size to see what they look like. There is an example of our plans here: Shed Plans Examples

What Happens When I Order The Postal Mailed Version?

The download you receieved is for our How To Build A Shed manual that shows general you how to build information like How To Frame A Wall or How To Frame A Floor. The plans that will be mailed are the construction drawings showing the exact dimensions and details for the shed plan you ordered. We will print and mail the plans on the following business day. We can email the plans to you as well upon request. Just reply to the email you receive from us and request them.

I was wondering why the walls in some of the plans is only 7'-7" tall?

Putting the 2x6 header over a 6’-10 ½" Pre-Hung exterior door rough opening adds up to the perfect shed wall height because a Pre-hung exterior door rough opening is 6’-10 ½", add to that 5 1/2" for the 2x6 header and 3" for the top plates and you end up with 91" or 7’-7". When the wall is 7’-7" tall there is plenty of extra length on an 8’ sheet of T1-11 to overlap the bottom plate and foundation if you like.

Many of our shed plans come with 8' wall studs but they are typically on the larger sheds. It is easy to build the shed with 92 5/8" studs to end up with the 8'-1" wall height if you want the taller walls.

What is the difference between the detached garage plans and some of your larger shed plans that are the same respective sizes?

The difference in the plans is that one of them is considered a Shed and the other is a full set of garage plans. Basically, sheds are not typically held to the same standard as a detached garage. It really depends on your building departments requirements.

The Garage Plans have have extra info in them like: The Alternate Braced wall panel diagram found in the International Residentail Code, hold downs are specified, a full footing and foundation plan for slab on grade, poured stem wall and Block stem walls and electrical plans.

Sheds are typically not connected to the ground so they do not need all of this. BUT, our shed plans do include a concrete slab detail without the deeper footing and foundation required for areas that have frost.

The Larger Sheds are in a grey area of information between a house and a shed. Sheds are typically not attached to the ground and not held to the same standards as a home or detached garage because they are moveable. We have the larger sheds because some people ask for them. We have the garage plans because some people need all the information required by their building department for a structure of that size.

SNOW LOADS

The snow load for a house in my area is 205Lbs per sq ft.  I noticed these plans are for 40 lbs.  What can I do to increase my snow load?

There are several ways to increase a snow load. They can be used independently or together to increase the snow load. It is different for every situation because the size of the shed roof and local snow loads combine to make many different combinations. These are general solutions. We recommend that a structural engineer review your plans and recommend the proper combination of the following for your specific roof loads.

1. First is to install 5/8" O.S.B. Sheeting in place of the 7/16" sheeting that is shown on the plans.
2. Second you would install 2x6 rafters in place of the 2x4 rafters shown on the plans.
3. Third install 5/8" O.S.B. sheeting and larger 2x6 rafters.
4. Fourth install the rafters at 16 inches on center and 5/8" O.S.B. sheeting and larger 2x6 rafters.

 

MATERIALS USED TO BUILD THE SHED

Do the plans come with a material list needed so I know what lumber to purchase and what screws or nails to use? Yes they do. There is also a FREE materials list that you can download on each respective shed plans sales page so you can get local pricing before deciding to purchase the plans.

Can I put shingles on a low slope roof like the lean to sheds? Yes. The best way to make sure that the asphalt shingles you want to install is to check with the manufacturer of your brand of shingles. Typically you will need to install Ice and Water Shield or a layer of Asphalt roll roofing before installing the asphalt shingles.

PRE-HUNG DOORS: The materials list says it wants a 5'-0" x 6'-8" door opening but the plans show 5' 3"x6' 10 1/2". Does that have something to do with buying a pre cased door? When ordering, do I just say it's for an opening of what the plans say?

Yes, a pre hung door gets extra room around it to allow for the jamb and shims to hang the door.

Pre-Hung Doors Ordering: When you order a pre-hung door there are several options that need to be chosen to make sure you get the door you want.

1. Make sure you order the proper size. Verify with the door shop that the door they are building will fit into the rough opening you intend to build. For example a 3068 door means that the door slab is 3'-0" wide by 6'-8" tall. The rough opening should be 3'-2" wide and 6'-10 1/2" tall. Double doors rough openings are 3 inches wider than the door opening and have the same 6'-10 1/2" height.

2. Make sure you have the swing of the door going the right direction.

3. If it is a double door you will need to pick a side that is operable and a side that will lock to the jamb.

4. Holes for Knobs. You need to choose how many holes for knobs and deadbolts

5. Jamb size: Pick the size of jamb. If you are putting in drywall and 1/2" siding on a 2x4 wall it will be different than just siding.

6. Threshold: Choose whether or not you want a threshold with the door and then what color you want it to be.

7. Brick Mold: The door shop can add brick mold on the exterior side of the door jamb to give you built in trim. This is helpful if you are planning on adding an additional siding like lap siding or stucco..

WINDOWS

Shed windows are typically smaller than the windows sold in my local big box home store. Where can I buy a window for my shed?

• Vinyl windows are typically made when they are ordered.
• Window companies have standard sizes but because there are hundreds of size and style combinations they are made after an order is placed.
• Windows are sold by the square inch, frame style, opening style and glass type.
• The best way to have a window made is to contact a local window supplier and get a bid for the window(s) you need.
• Box home stores stock basic sizes. If a box store orders a window for you they will often get it from a local window supplier and mark it up.
• Another tip is to contact a "remodel" window company. They most often deal in lower cost replacement windows that are seldom a standard size because they have to fit inside the frame or trim of the older window.

FOUNDATIONS:

Are foundation design options on the plans for both a deep foundation as seen on the website as well as on-grade options?

Yes there are option for slab on grade which goes down 6 to 12 inches and Concrete poured pier and Concrete Block footings that will go to below the frost line.

What do the optional foundation plans include? Wood rail plan that goes on top of the ground, Concrete slab Concrete poured pier CMU Block Precast pier

FLOOR SHEETING:

The measurement of a 4x8 T&G plywood sheet in my area is 47 1/2" wide, with the other 1/2" accounting for the tongue. If I lost 1/2" for each run of plywood I put down, the plywood will not end up on the rim joist, so I don't see how this is going to work. Am I missing something here?

There are two types of floor sheeting sold, Full Face and Scant Face.

Our plans are drawn using FULL FACE floor sheeting!

FULL FACE floor sheeting = Has 48" NOT including the tongue. This means that it measures larger than 48" with the tongue but after it is installed you will only see 48" because the tongue is embeded into the next piece of floor sheeting.

The tongue will need to be cut off on the edge that ends at a rim board.

SCANT FACE floor sheeting = Has 48" including the tongue. This will cause the floor sheeting to come up shorter than 4', 8', 12', 16' etc.

You can view video of this in our video where we frame a 8' wide floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTfDZs-f70o&list=PLvEqlZAHVU9bgXRyTrxQtVdGD2egR8IgC

OTHER QUESTIONS:

When looking at the drawings of the walls are you referencing them from the outside? Assuming you are then there would be 2 wall studs 3 ¾ inch apart in the rear on the left wall and then the 2 would be toward the front on the right wall?

Can you tell me why there is a wall stud 3 ¾ inch away from the end wall stud on the left and right wall framing plan? I pre-built my walls and it makes it impossible to nail the corners using a nail gun.

The studs are on 16" layout and that is where they end up. You can toenail the corner together from the outside and then when you install the siding make sure to install nails on both sides of the corner. It will be plenty strong. If you want to face nail it from the inside then you can remove the stud as long as there is not a siding joint on that stud.