The first step in choosing the best shed plan for your home or business is to determine for what purposes your shed will be used, and how large your shed will be. The size of the shed may depend on the space available in the yard or area in which it will be built, so be sure to choose a shed plan that will work within your size constraints. The materials from which your shed will be built will also have an impact on the shed plan; some materials are easier to work with than others, and costs will also vary. Choose plans that fit within your budget and carpentry abilities.
Sheds that will house heavy equipment or larger pieces of equipment will require a different shed plan than a shed built for storage of yard tools. The larger shed will definitely require a concrete foundation to be poured, while a smaller shed may not need a solid foundation at all. The foundation is an important consideration, as your shed plan will change depending on how the shed is fastened to the ground. Larger sheds will be built around a concrete slab, and in many cases, the walls of the shed will be affixed directly to the concrete slab. Sheds that are not built on a concrete slab will be built either with concrete footings or some other method of securing the walls.
Your budget for the project will also dictate the shed plan you choose. For smaller budgets, it may be wise to purchase a shed kit, or even a prefabricated shed. These tend to be less expensive and less labor intensive to install. You will be limited, however, in what features are available both inside and outside of the shed; such sheds are a good choice for someone looking for simple storage or extra workspace without a lot of fancy features.
Make sure to consider doors and windows when choosing a shed plan. Large machines or animals such as horses will need a large entryway. Garage-style doors are a good choice for larger openings, while a smaller door will fit the bill for a storage shed that does not house larger machines. The door should be of similar quality and strength as the materials used to build the shed itself; a plastic shed for garden tools, for example, will not require a wooden door, and a large wooden shed would not work well with a light, flimsy, aluminum door.
