Is Buying a Do-It-Yourself Shed Kit Cheaper than Building a Shed?

May 29, 2024

Homeowners are always in need of more space. More space to keep their unused items. More space for keeping the pool equipment. More space for keeping the clutter. More space for anything and everything. And when homeowners need more space, they think of the most common addition to their backyard—a shed. Now, since the market has hundreds of options, your first consideration is always the cost since this investment goes a long way. Hence, if you can't decide between choosing a DIY shed kit or building a shed from scratch, we have made this guide to help you make an informed decision. 

DIY Shed Kits Vs. Building a Shed From Scratch- Your Complete Guide

Many homeowners think about buying DIY shed kits in Canada when they initially decide to add a shed to their backyard. It looks like an ideal solution that requires no rocket science. When you purchase a DIY shed kit in Canada, you will receive nearly all the materials needed to complete the shed construction and a manual with instructions. DIY shed kits come with four walls and a roof and are often made from vinyl, wood, or metal.On the contrary, building a shed from scratch requires you to purchase the products yourself, design your shed, think of its layout, consider amenities like electricity and water, and include labor costs. 

DIY Shed Kits in Canada- Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • All-Inclusive: A DIY shed kit comes with everything you need. Everything is appropriately measured and cut, so there is no hassle of doing everything yourself.
  • Pocket-friendly: Shed kits in Canada are a more cost-effective choice than hiring professionals and labor. In addition to saving money, DIY shed kits also save a lot of time.
  • Beautiful Addition: The best part about DIY shed kits is that they enhance the curb appeal of your house. They are an attractive addition to your property and house and appear as if constructed by a professional. 

Cons:

  • Lesser Life: The market may not tell you this, but DIY shed kits don’t have a long lifespan. These are made from compromised materials that are only durable for 5 to 7 years. 
  • Little to Zero Customization: DIY shed kits don’t allow customizations. If you plan on making any changes, remember that it may not be possible with a DIY shed kit. 
  • Quality Variations: Since DIY shed kits come in different qualities, you may buy poor-quality ones. And although the DIY shed makers promise top-notch quality, the materials don’t live a long life. 

Building a Shed- Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • Customization: Building a shed from scratch allows you to plan and make adjustments just the way you like. From flooring, roofing, windows, doors, and shelving, to paint colors, and more, you can choose and decide on anything you prefer. 
  • Complete Control: People consider building a shed since they have complete control over the process. Unlike running after the contractor to complete the shed construction in time, you do things according to your plan. 
  • More Durable: Since you don’t compromise on quality and choose only high-quality construction materials, your shed will live a long life. Sheds made from excellent materials live up to 40 years. 

Cons:

  • Requires Expertise: Although building a shed yourself from scratch has zero disadvantages, some people might not like the overall process since it requires great attention to detail and expertise. People with zero experience might mess up the whole process. Hence, if you lack the required expertise, shed building might not be the right choice for you.

Comparing the Costs:

When deciding if DIY shed kits are cheaper or building a shed yourself is, there are several factors that you need to consider:

Initial Investment:

Compare the initial costs of both DIY shed kits in Canada and building a shed yourself. The initial investment for a DIY shed kit might be more than the initial investment for building a shed that requires buying raw materials.

Labor Costs:

Take into account the labor costs, as this expense can compromise your overall budget. If you build a shed from scratch, you might need to hire a few laborers to help you through the process. 

Tools:

A DIY shed kit comes with everything you need, and there’s usually no need to buy any extra equipment. However, if you are building a shed and have access to all the tools, there is nothing to worry about. But if you don’t, you may need to include this expense in the overall cost of shed construction. 

Ending Note:

Both DIY shed kits and building a shed have advantages and disadvantages. Considering the factors that decide the overall cost, the cheaper option appears to be a DIY shed kit. But remember that DIY shed kits in Canada are not as durable and long-lasting as building a shed yourself. 

If you consider the shed a long-term investment and want to enjoy it in years to come, we suggest building one since it will survive four times the lifetime of a shed made from a DIY shed kit. Anyhow, if you want to enjoy a shed just for a little time, a DIY shed kit may be a good option for you. 

Can’t Decide Between DIY Shed Kits or Building a Shed? Get Prefab Sheds at Backyard Escape Studios

If you are not into the hassle of the construction process, don’t worry since you have a savior by your side. At Backyard Escape Studios, we completely understand the complexities of building a shed, be it a DIY shed kit or doing the whole process yourself. At Backyard Escape Studios, you can access a fully customizable prefab shed made with the highest quality materials, including timber. All our sheds and studios cater to your unique requirements and blend durability with aesthetic appeal to provide a product you have never seen before. Visit our website to see the sheds and studios yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do DIY shed kits allow customizations?

No, DIY shed kits in Canada do not offer any customizations since everything comes according to a specific design you can’t change. If you plan to change the windows, roofing, or shelving, remember that this may not be possible. 

Why do people prefer building a shed from scratch?

Building a shed from scratch allows people to enjoy the leisure of customization and control over the quality and quality of the products employed. When people are experienced with building sheds, they end up saving massive amounts of money that would have otherwise been spent on labor costs. 

Why should I hire a shed-maker?

Shed-makers have the knowledge and expertise to build the shed, so hiring them is a better option than doing the whole process yourself. If you are unfamiliar with the shed construction process, know that it involves great attention to detail and requires experience only a shed-maker possesses. 

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