Need a Shed?

So the box says it takes only 4 hours to build – but we all know you can’t believe everything you read, right? I went back and forth about whether to buy a prebuilt shed, search for a used shed on Craigslist, or build a shed using a kit. 

After doing considerable research, I decided to build it myself so I could get exactly what I wanted and do it that very same day (emphasis on that same day!).  With my friend Mario, we finished it in 8 hours – that’s 16 man hours! Even after I read the instructions twice, I couldn’t even find the first piece. It seemed like I was reading a foreign language. Who writes instructions for kits? Then, Mario comes along and says we don’t need to read the instructions… I knew that was not a good thing, but he’s the builder and I was just glad to have the help! 

I thought that by building it ourselves, it would be solid and watertight. But when I saw daylight between the seams, I knew I’d need to use a tarp to keep things dry.  I guess the first mistake was not building a level slab foundation.  I cracked the floor as I walked across it because it had huge gaps beneath it.  Did I mention that we didn’t follow the instructions for the roof? Bad idea: the installation was a nightmare and it took twice as long.  We both cracked up when I went to hold up the metal beams, but couldn’t reach them because I am vertically challenged! 

Next time, spend 3 times more money and get a shed that will last!