Are you in search of getting a shed constructed? A 12×12 shed is seen as an outdoor structure of small size that covers almost 144 square feet. Its main purpose is storage for a working space or a small office place. 12×12 sheds are considered to be the best options when it comes to multiple functions. They come very handy for storing equipment and machinery such as shovels, hoes, toolkits, trimmers and many other things .
The question arises about the cost of these sheds. If it’s us better to hire someone or a contractor to build it for you or to construct it by your own self. This comprehensive blog will cover the aspects of costs for building a 12×12 (144 square feet ) shed in detail.
Most Common Use of a 12×12 Shed
A shed is basically used for many purposes. Some people use it for storing their items and equipment while others use it as a studio or office. Following are some advantages of suing a 12×12 shed
• Storage – You can utilize a 12×12 for storage purposes so you can keep your lawn equipment, tools, bikes, seasonal decorations, and more in it.
• Workshop – Another purpose of a 12×12 shed is that it provides space for woodworking, crafting, and repairing.
• Garden Shed – Sheds are also used as greenhouses. Storing your pots, soil, fertilizers, plants, and gardening tools is also another purpose of a 144 square feet shed.
• Office – Some people like to use a shed for private office, remote work, or other studio purposes.
• Others – A lot of people also use a 12×12 shed as a playhouse or a mini gym to store weights and equipment.
These were the most common and basic uses of a 12×12(144 square feet) shed. Now let’s move on to what they include or require.
What does a 12×12 shed include?
Before we start discussing the costs and prices related to construction of a 12×12 shed, we must know what it includes and what the major factors on which it is based.
First of all, the foundation, your shed needs to be stable, strong, and powerful enough to last longer. On the second number, comes the walls and framing of your structure. Then the roofing. You need a strong structure to support the roof of your shed. Also, making your roof weatherproof, fireproof, and waterproof is also required.
Then comes the doors and windows for your project. Some people like to have doors, windows, or vents for air flow and natural light, but having them depends upon your needs. You would also need wiring systems for lights, outlets, and fans for your shed. The most important part of the entire structure is the thing on which it stands, the flooring.
What Factors Influence the Cost of 12×12 Shed?
Cost of your 12×12 shed can depend upon various factors including the material being used, size, complexity, and the feature being installed in your shed. Here are some factors that have an impact on your construction cost.
Location: Some people don’t research the market when evaluating, which is a poor estimating method and can lead to project delays, budget overruns, and other problems. The cost of your material, labor, and equipment will depend upon the location of your project. For example, the cost of lumber and wood will be cheap in the state that is producing it compared to the state that is not producing it. Same goes for metal and plastic.
Design: If you have a much complex design or a shed that includes more features, then it will also impact on your total costs. The more complex your design is, the more it will cost for preparations. Even the contractors will demand more if you have a more difficult design and layout.
Material: Building a shed will require material. For example, creating a wooden shed would require lumber and wood. But if you want a metal shed, it will require materials such as steel, iron, and aluminium. This will impact the total cost of the construction of a shed.
| Category | Material |
| Foundation | Concrete Blocks or SlabsGravelPressure-Treated WoodDeck Screws & Anchors |
| Framing | 2×4 or 2×6 LumberPlywood or OSBNails & ScrewsMetal Brackets & Joist Hangers |
| Roofing | Roof Trusses or RaftersPlywood or OSBRoofing Felt (Tar Paper)Shingles or Metal PanelsDrip Edge & FlashingRoofing Nails |
| Siding | Plywood, T1-11, or Vinyl SidingWood Panels or Composite BoardsSiding Screws or NailsCaulk & Sealant |
| Flooring | Plywood or OSB (3/4 inch thick)Pressure-Treated LumberScrews & Nails |
| Insulation & Interior | Fiberglass InsulationFoam Board InsulationDrywall or Plywood PanelsPaint & Wood Stain |
| Electrical & Lighting | Wiring & ConduitsElectrical Outlets & SwitchesLED Lights or BulbsCircuit Breaker (if needed) |
| Doors & Windows | Pre-Hung Shed DoorDoor Hinges & LatchWindows (Optional)Window Trim & Flashing |
Foundation Type: If you are looking for a foundation depending upon a concrete slab, it will cost you more compared to other options such as a gravel pad or a wooden base which are much cheaper.
A Complete Cost Breakdown of a 12×12 Shed
We have discussed what factors affect and influence the cost of a 12×12 shed. Now we are going to discuss sheds, their types, and the costs of a 12×12 shed.
Average Cost of 12×12 Shed
If you are looking forward to building a shed, whether it is a metal, plastic, resin, or wooden shed. You will be able to get a simple 12×12 shed with an average cost in between $200 and $5000, while a prebuilt 12×12 shed can cost you anywhere around $4500.00 to $7500.00, while $17 to $40 per square foot, depending upon style, color, shape, and features installed. If you want electricity, insulation, lighting, and other features in your shed. They also cost you. Sheds are categorized in four levels, entry-level, mid-level, top-level, and elite-level.
Entry-Level Sheds: If you are looking for a standard shed like a minibarn shed, maxibarn shed, or a workshop shed, then the standard and average price ranges from around $4000 to $6000, and more depending upon provided factors.
Mid-Level 12×12 Sheds: For example, wooden sheds, heavy-duty vinyl sheds, reinforced metal sheds, mid-level sheds are better than your entry-level sheds. The cost for such sheds ranges from $5000 to $8000+.
Top-Level 12×12 Sheds: Another advanced and premium level sheds come under the category of top-level 12×12 sheds with their price ranging from $6000 to $12000+. So if you are looking for premier workshop sheds, premier dutch barn sheds, or custom-built wood sheds. This is a better option for you!
Elite-Level 12×12 Sheds: The last category includes modern, luxurious, and those types of sheds which are required for studios or offices. This type of shed requires high-quality features so the cost for them is also high. They will cost you anywhere from $15,500 to $30,000, and more depending upon the size, complexity, and features used.
Types Of Shed Based on Materials & Their Costs
We have discussed that a shed can be used for different purposes, but did you know that there are different types of shed with different properties and purposes? Although there are many types of sheds, but today, we are going to discuss the most popular and widely used sheds.
1. Wood Sheds
2. Metal Sheds
3. Vinyl/Plastic Sheds
Wood Sheds
One of the most used and a traditional type of shed is a wooden shed. The majority of players focus on wooden sheds as they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and are easy to customize depending upon the preference. Like you can paint on wooden sheds and change parts easily.
The average wooden shed costs around $2900.00 to $3500.00, but if you want to customize, like painting or adding extra shelves, windows, or insulation, the cost may increase.
Why you should get a wooden shed? Here are some pros and cons of having a wooden shed for your tasks.
Benefits of Wooden Shed:
- It gives more of a natural and aesthetically appealing look.
- Wooden sheds are built using pressure-treated wood, which makes them strong, durable, and long-lasting.
- Can be used for storing tools, lawn equipment, bikes, firewood, and other items,
- Wooden sheds are much more affordable and customizable compared to metal sheds.
- They are also very easy and simple to install.
Cons of a Wooden Shed:
- It is common for a wooden shed to be damaged because of pests such as termites or moisture.
- They require maintenance such as staining, sealing, and pest control to avoid any issues.
- One of the biggest disadvantages of a wooden shed is that it is not fire-resistant.
- Compared to metal sheds, it is less durable and without proper maintenance, it can’t last long.
- Wood can easily warp, crack, or split if it is not treated or prepared properly during installation, leading to structural damage.
Metal Sheds
Another type of shed is a metal shed, which is a more powerful and stronger shed. Compared to wooden sheds, metal sheds are stronger as they use much durable and long-lasting material. The majority of metal sheds are made using galvanized steel or aluminum, which is not only fire resistant and durable but also helps avoid rusting. A metal shed is also considered a budget-friendly solution as they also shares the same properties of a typical wooden shed but is a much enhanced version of it.
Talking about costs? The average cost of a metal shed is around $1600 and $2900.00, but if you are looking for additional customizations like reinforcements, or painting, then it can cost you extra.
Benefits of Metal Shed:
- Most of the time, a metal shed is more affordable and cheaper than a wooden shed due to lower material costs.
- As it uses metal for its construction, it is fire-resistant, making it immune to fire damage.
- It is also pest-proof so you also don’t have to worry about pests like termites.
- The installation of a metal shed is also simple and easy.
- It is extremely durable and can handle issues such as earthquakes, storms, etc, much efficiently.
Cons of a Metal Shed:
- Metal sheds are powerful and strong, but as they are made of metal, they rust over time.
- Unlike wooden sheds, metal sheds don’t blend with home design and aren’t that attractive.
- One of their major disadvantages is that they get really hot and uncomfortable in summer.
- Metal sidings are not that easy to customize or improve, which is another setback.
- One more issue is condensation, which creates dampness, leading to stored item damage.
Vinyl/Plastic Sheds:
The third most popular type of shed is a vinyl or plastic shed. Plastic or vinyl sheds are very popular and widely used by homeowners due to their features such as lightweight, easy to install, and portability. These are constructed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE ) or resin, which helps making them rot-proof, UV-resistant, and waterproof, which is a good thing because unlike metal and wooden sheds, which would rust, they are prone to rusting, rotting, and are prone to pest damage. Compared to metal and wooden sheds, they are also much easier to build and they take less time to maintain.
When it comes to cost, it depends upon the size, complexity, and the customizations performed, but the average and general price of a vinyl or plastic shed is between $258.55 and $3900.00.
Benefits of Vinyl/Plastic Shed:
- As it is made of plastic, it is more waterproof compared to the wooden sheds.
- Plastic doesn’t attract insects such as termites, beetles, etc, so it is pest-proof.
- Unlike metal sheds, vinyl sheds don’t get rusty or rotten over time.
- Plastic(vinyl) sheds don’t require much maintenance and are easily movable.
- They are also UV-resistant and can easily handle harsh weather conditions.
Cons of a Metal Shed:
- As Vinyl sheds are mostly made of plastic, they are not as customizable as other types of sheds.
- They are not attractive, and don’t provide a pleasant or aesthetic look like wooden sheds.
- They can snap and get damaged much easily, so they are not considered a strong type of shed.
- Plastic is not always the best option when it comes to heat, so they are temperature sensitive.
- Stability is an issue in vinyl(plastic) sheds if the base is not present or done properly.
How much does it cost to build a shed yourself?
Making a shed yourself is a much cheaper and affordable way. But to build a shed you would require a 12×12 shed kit which will cost you a minimum of $2000 and $25,000+, depending upon material and size, so a wooden shed kit will cost you more than a metal shed kit. But doing a shed yourself will also require you technical skills and experience, and mistakes will be costly.
Should you DIY or Hire a Contractor?
Research shows that poor design and construction can result in errors, which will lead to construction work, ultimately increasing project costs by up to 20%. Most people who don’t have the required technical skill or experience in this field often hire a service provider or an expert to deal with it.
| As you will do most of the tasks yourself, you would not require labor. This will save you labor costs, which can significantly reduce expense by more than 30%. | Hiring a contractor will cost you more as an expert team works collectively with labor. So, you won’t be able to save money on factors such as labor. |
| You can create the design, layout, and choose the material, and can exceed deadlines and schedules. It is also in your hand to delay as much as you want. | Professional contractors focus on completing the construction project according to a specified time, so no delays are to be expected. |
| When working on a shed yourself, technical skills are required. Mistakes and errors while construction can be expensive, so you have to take care. | Skilled and experienced professionals focus on efficiency and accuracy, and focus on proper design. So, chances of errors are very low compared to doing it yourself. |
| Doing it yourself can take time since you are the only one working on the project. | While contractors work as a team, they complete the project much more quickly. |
| You will have to pay for rent tools, materials, and equipment. | An expert team has all the equipment and tools required to build a 12×12 shed for you. |
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed everything regarding a 12×12 shed in detail, including the factors that influence costs, average costs, costs by material type, types of sheds, cost of doing it yourself, and more. Whether you are building a 12×12 shed for working, storing, or greenhouse purpose, after reviewing this blog, all your doubts and questions will be cleared.
