Building a shed costs $3,634 on average, with most homeowners paying between $1,767 to $9,567. She sheds with a modern design and intricate features can cost as much as $30,000. On the lower side of the scale, some homeowners can build a she shed for as little as $363.
If you don’t have a shed in your yard already, the easiest way to add one is to buy a prefabricated shed kit. On average, shed kits cost between $1,500 and $5,000 and are easy to install.
She shed costs will vary depending on many factors, including the shed’s size, material, and design. Adding attractive features to your she shed also will raise the bill, such as beautiful landscaping or a small patio. Check out our pricing guide below to estimate how much your dream she shed will cost you.
How Much Does a She Shed Cost?
- Average Cost to Build a Shed: $3,634
- Typical Range to Build a Shed: $1,767 to $9,567
- Low End: $363
- High End: $30,000
The prices listed above are all national averages for building a shed. Throw in your personal touch and design inspirations, and you will have yourself a she shed. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $1,767 and $9,567 to build their shed, with an average cost of $3,634.
Many factors will affect your she shed’s total bill, such as the shed’s size and how you decide to build it. In some cases, your she shed’s total costs might fall below or above the typical price range. Large, custom she sheds built of brick can cost as much as $30,000. Small-scale she shed projects can cost as low as $363.
Cost Estimator by Size
Among the most significant factors affecting cost is the shed’s size. The bigger the shed you build, the more you can expect to pay for materials and labor.
How you plan to use your she shed can help you estimate the size you need. If you want to build a loft or make space for a guest bed, these features are likely to increase your she shed’s square footage. Small to medium-sized she sheds are ideal for a workspace or reading nook and are far less expensive.
The bottom line: If you’re looking to save on costs, smaller is better.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Many other factors will affect the total bill as well, besides your she shed’s size. Do you already have a backyard shed, and it just needs a bit of love? That’s going to save you a whole lot more than building a she shed from scratch. Want your she shed to resemble a small brick cottage? Don’t be surprised when that brick runs up your bill.
Other factors that affect she shed costs include:
- Prefabricated kits vs. custom design: Building your shed from a kit will cost less than opting for a custom-built design.
- Building material: Some shed materials are more expensive than others.
- Labor: If you don’t want to install the shed yourself, you may prefer to hire a professional to build it for you.
- Hire an electrician: If you plan to spend lots of time in your she shed, you may enjoy the benefits of working lights or a ceiling fan.
- Hire a plumber: Need a sink in which to clean your paint brushes? Hire a plumber to set up running water in your she shed.
- Furniture: Decorating your she shed with fluffy pillows and soft chairs is all part of the fun.
- Insulation: Insulating your she shed can help make its indoor temperature more comfortable.
- Land preparation: When building your shed in the yard, the land should be evaluated and prepared by a professional to ensure the structure has a solid foundation.
- Bonus features: Unique touches and plush amenities don’t come cheap. The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalizing your she shed.
Prefabricated kits vs. custom design
How you decide to build your she shed will significantly affect your total bill. Common ways to make a she shed include the following:
- Assembling and installing a prefabricated shed kit
- Buying a prefabricated shed kit that’s already been assembled for you.
- Hiring a professional to design and build a custom she shed.
- Transforming an old tool shed that’s already in the yard.
Prefabricated kits
A prefabricated shed kit typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000. Head to your local home improvement store, like Home Depot or Lowe’s, to find a shed kit that fits the bill.
But what’s a prefabricated shed kit? A prefabricated shed kit contains a shed’s separate parts, including the walls, windows, and roofing. Shed kits often come with instructions on how to put the shed together piece by piece.
If you feel comfortable with the installation process and understand the instructions, installing the shed can be done as a DIY project. Hiring a professional to install the kit for you is also a viable option.
Another option: You can also buy a prefabricated shed kit that’s preassembled. The shed will arrive premade and ready for installation.
Custom shed designs
Hiring a professional carpenter to install a custom she shed is usually the most expensive option. You’ll need to pay for design plans, materials, and labor.
Custom designs usually are more complicated and intricate than a standard shed kit, which makes installation costs rise. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $50 to $100 per hour for labor.
Already have a shed?
If an old tool or storage shed is sitting in your backyard, you won’t need to invest in building a new shed (unless you want to). Fixing up an old storage or garden shed is usually the most affordable option to building a she shed.
Costs will vary depending on how you decide to remodel your shed. Some options include a new paint job, installing a pretty window or two, or building a small patio.
Building material
Expect she shed costs to vary depending on the material type you choose. Some materials have more advantages than others, leading to a higher price. Brick is usually the most expensive building material.
Common shed building materials include:
- Brick
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Metal
Brick
Brick sheds are expensive and can cost as much as $30,000 to install. Brick sheds are not common, so you’ll need to find an experienced builder familiar with installing custom brick designs. Otherwise, you risk investing in an expensive material and ending up with a poorly built shed.
Wood
Wood sheds are popular for their aesthetic appeal and easy customization. Wood comes in a variety of colors and can even be painted with the color of your choice. This building material allows you to add windows and skylights to your design and is far more economical than brick.
The downside to wood sheds is that they are susceptible to rot, insect activity, and moisture. Other building materials, like brick and metal, will typically last longer than wood.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a lightweight material, making installation a breeze. These sheds are resistant to decay, rot, and insect activity and typically come in various color options. However, unlike wood sheds, vinyl sheds can’t be painted.
Metal
Similar to vinyl, metal is resistant to rot and insects. However, metal sheds are not as stable as other building materials. They are not ideal for areas with severe weather conditions, like heavy wind and snow.
Labor
Prefabricated sheds typically cost between $1,500 and $5,000, but that doesn’t include labor costs. If you prefer not to install the shed yourself, hire a professional carpenter to install it for you. Expect to pay between $50 to $100 per hour in labor costs, whether you hire a pro to install a prefab kit or build a custom she shed from scratch.
Hiring an electrician
If you plan to spend lots of time in your she shed, you may want to hire an electrician. Working lights, air conditioning, ceiling fans, and outlets can all come in handy in a she shed.
Most electricians charge between $44 and $100 per hour.
Hiring a plumber
Running water is another useful feature you can add to your she shed, especially if you’re using it as a studio shed. Whether you need to clean your paint brushes or hydrate your dry clay, a working sink is an excellent asset to have in the shed.
Hiring a plumber typically costs between $45 to $150 per hour.
Furniture
On average, it costs most homeowners between $1,767 to $9,567 to build a shed. Keep in mind this does not include the cost to furnish it. Your total furniture costs will vary depending on:
- How much space you need to fill inside the shed: Larger she sheds will usually call for more furniture.
- Whether you want outdoor furniture as well: If your she shed has a small patio or deck, you may like to add furniture there too.
- What you plan to use your she shed for: Will your she shed be a home office? Then you might want to shop for a desk and comfortable chair.
- Whether you decide to reuse old furniture from your home or buy new: Decorating the shed with the furniture you already own will save on costs.
- Where you buy your furniture: High-end furniture stores will raise your spending much more than shopping for furniture at a flea market or thrift shop.
Insulation
If you’re spending long hours in your she shed, you might find yourself getting cold and uncomfortable due to outdoor temperatures. Adding insulation to your shed will help retain heat within the shed and make your special getaway more inviting.
Insulation costs will vary depending on the size of your shed and the kind of insulation you install.
Land preparation
Before installing your own she shed, you may need to hire a professional to clear or grade the land. Building a shed on sloped land won’t make for a solid foundation.
Grading costs will vary depending on many project factors, typically ranging between $1 and $10 per square foot. If you need to reslope the area but don’t have soil on-site to level the land, expect to pay between $7.50 and $13.50 per cubic yard of fill dirt.
Bonus features
Costs will rise more and more with each attractive feature you add to your she shed. While $30,000 is the average high-end cost for building a she shed, there is no limit to how much you can spend on your backyard getaway.
Remember: Bonus features can add thousands of dollars to your final bill, especially if you want your she shed to be a livable space. Expensive she shed additions include:
- Working Bathroom: Having a working bathroom in the shed can help make it a comfortable guest house (just don’t forget to add the bed).
- Small Kitchen: Are you an avid baker or cook? You might enjoy turning your she shed into an experimental kitchen.
- Television: Sit back, relax, and pop on your favorite show.
- Upstairs Loft: Adds extra storage space or room for a bed.
- Built-in Sauna: Brings the perfect dose of relaxation to your she shed.
- Built-in Fireplace: Perfect for a cozy reading room or relaxing office space.
Extra Services
Your shed’s size, design, and building material will affect how much it costs to build your she shed. But what about features that aren’t included in the total cost to build a she shed?
Besides the shed itself, other expenses might include the landscaping around your shed, a patio, or even a she shed fire pit. These items aren’t necessary for a she shed, but they can make your she shed feel extra welcoming. We’ve got the prices listed below.
Patio and decking
Adding a deck or patio to your she shed expands your getaway to the outdoors. On average, building a deck costs $22 to $48 per square foot and building a patio costs $8 to $20 per square foot.
Fire pit
A fire pit near your she shed is perfect for an evening of relaxation. Invite over a close friend or spend time with a family member roasting some gooey marshmallows. Building a fire pit with flagstone or pavers usually costs about $500 to $3,433.
Landscaping
Landscape design can turn the area around your shed from drab to fab. Throw in some stunning flower beds, elegant walkways, and shady trees, and your she shed will become an attractive focal point.
Your she shed’s indoor theme can help inspire the landscape design outdoors. Whether your she shed idea is a beach theme or a cozy cottage, talk to a landscape designer about how the land around the shed can mimic that same theme.
Landscaping services that can help turn your she shed into a quaint paradise include:
| LANDSCAPING SERVICE | AVERAGE COST |
| Sodding | $0.87 – $1.76 per square foot |
| Pathways | $8 – $22 per square foot |
| Mulching | $37 – $113 per cubic yard |
| Planting Flower Beds | $650 – $3,000 |
| Water Fountains / Waterfalls | $1,141 – $3,692 |
| Fencing | $1,330 – $5,550 |
| Ponds | $1,382 – $3,520 |
| Pergolas | $2,216 – $8,959 |
| Retaining Walls | $4,025 – $8,711 |
| Gazebos | $5,364 – $9,027 |
Outdoor lighting
If you want to visit your shed at night, outdoor landscape lighting can help you feel safer walking to and from the shed. Outdoor lighting typically costs $188 to $325 per light. This cost includes the lights themselves and the labor to hook them up to your home’s electricity.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Building your shed kit can be a fun DIY project as long as you feel comfortable following your shed kit’s installation instructions. If you need assistance installing your shed kit, hire a professional.
For a custom shed design, it’s best to hire a carpenter for the job. Building a shed without the necessary experience might prove dangerous, and you risk building an unsound structure. Building a custom shed is not an ideal DIY project.
Whether you need a professional to install a shed kit or build your shed from scratch, expect to pay between $50 to $100 per hour in labor costs.
Cost of Sheds Across the U.S.
All costs listed in this pricing guide are national averages. On a local scale, these costs are likely to vary depending on where you live. Carpenters and landscapers may adjust their rates according to local demand and the region’s market.
FAQ About She Sheds
Your prefabricated shed kit should come with installation instructions. For a visual example, check out the Lowe’s installation video here.
Like a man cave, a she shed is a personal place that reflects your interests and hobbies. If you love to dance, you might enjoy turning your she shed into a small dance studio. A she shed is also a great place to relax and find some quiet time after a long day.
Building codes vary by location. In most cases, a permit is not required for a small shed, though it is usually required for larger sheds. It’s your responsibility to check your local building codes to determine whether you need to acquire a permit to build your shed.
Conclusion
A she shed makes for a great backyard sanctuary. Installing your she shed from a kit is easy, as long as you feel comfortable with the instructions and skills required. For custom designs, it’s best to hire a professional carpenter to build the shed for you.
Want to spruce up your shed’s surroundings? Call a local landscaping professional near you to plant your favorite flowers, install walkways, or build splashing waterfalls.
Remember, the average cost to build a shed is $3,634, with most homeowners paying between $1,767 to $9,567. A large she shed with a custom design can cost as much as $30,000, while more affordable options can cost as low as $363.
Main Photo Credit: Pexels
