Think about how you’ll get the concrete and lumber to your build site and if it needs vehicle access. The more level the site is, the cheaper and easier it will be to prepare for building.
If your structure will be for a business, you may want the door and large windows facing the street. If you are building a garage, the garage bay door needs to be oriented toward the street as well. If you are building a workshop or out-building, you may want to front door pointed at the back door of your house, since that’s where you’ll be approaching it from.
There are websites that offer free construction plans for sheds and small structures, as well as others that sell plans for more complex buildings. Many architects can create plans for buildings ranging from simple to complex, with pricing that usually matches complexity. Pre-fabricated structures like sheds and even garages come with the plans and supplies you need.
Many town and city governments have websites devoted to helping you locate and apply for the correct permits. Do not begin construction without securing the necessary permits, or you may be subject to legal penalties or fines.
The job will require building various types of framing with wood, starting with a frame for the foundation and continuing through the walls and roof. You will also need to pour a large amount of concrete for the structure’s foundation, which may require the use of a concrete delivery service. Wiring, HVAC, and plumbing may be concerns depending on the size and use of your building.
Drive stakes into the ground at all four corners of the build site, then tie a string from post to post, using a level to ensure they are perfectly straight. From there, measure the distance from the string to the ground in different spots to see how high or low they are compared to the rest. Then add or remove dirt as necessary. Once the surface is even, tamp it down so it’s firm and flat.
You can purchase concrete by the bag and mix it yourself, but for larger applications, you may want to have a concrete delivery service pour pre-mixed concrete straight into your forms from the truck.
You can buy either mesh or rebar at your local hardware store. Insert the steel reinforcement about halfway through your pour so it will have concrete above and below it.
Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours before doing any more work on the structure.
You can find out what inspections are necessary and how to schedule them on your local town or city government website or at City Hall. Failing to schedule mandatory inspections could result in fines. The inspections are intended to ensure your structure is being built safely.
Ordering large amounts of wood at once will reduce the overall cost. Lumber yards can often help you determine exactly what you need based on your plans thanks to their experience with construction firms.
Follow the plans for your building specifically when building and placing the wall frames. Pay close attention to detail while building the walls. One incorrect measurement could result in an uneven wall that could create a gap between the top of the wall and the roof.
Use screws rather than nails so it’s easy to unscrew the braces when the structure is stable. This step is often only necessary until the full frame is complete.
Larger building may utilize a different roof framing, but trusses are the most common for small structures.
Do not install plywood on the interior side of the walls. Nail the plywood directly into the studs to secure them in place.
Once done, the building will look like a nearly completed structure, but there’s still quite a bit left to do.
The inspectors will be looking at building materials, stud spacing and signs of damage.
Have contractors tasked with each job work together to coordinate the installations. Ensure there is no electricity flowing to the structure when working on its wiring.
It’s easier to move large things into place before all the walls are finished. You’ll need to know the positioning of things like bathtubs and toilets when installing interior walls.
You could also wait until the interior walls are in place and then add loose-fill or blown-in insulation into the gap between the exterior and interior walls. Spray foam insulation and fiberglass insulation are alternatives. Always wear eye protection, a particulate mask, and gloves when working with fiberglass insulation.
Cut any excess paper roofing felt off with a razor blade. Make sure to staple or nail the roofing felt in place all along the perimeter to avoid it blowing up and off while you work.
Use ridge shingles on the corner created by the top point of the roof.
Once the drywall is done, you can paint the interior walls. You may also choose to cover the drywall with wallpaper.
Overlap adjoining panels of siding to prevent moisture from getting in.
