{"id":24104,"date":"2021-05-27T16:19:54","date_gmt":"2021-05-27T23:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=24104"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:14:14","slug":"cost-to-build-a-shed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/cost-to-build-a-shed\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cost to Build a Shed for Overflow Storage or Extra Living Space"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all heard about the \u201cshe-shed<\/a>\u201d craze over the past couple of years \u2014 but even if you\u2019re not a she, you might be in the market for a backyard shed<\/a>. Beyond obvious uses like storing lawn, garden, and pool equipment, a well-appointed shed can serve as a spare kitchen, massage studio, child\u2019s playhouse, living space<\/a>, or even a small business headquarters.<\/p>\n

The pandemic has been a boon to the shed industry. A quick glance at Google Trends<\/a> shows that searches for \u201csheds\u201d ticked up dramatically in the spring of 2020, as employees found themselves stuck at home and in need of extra office space. And reports have shown<\/a> that shed manufacturers have seen business skyrocket as cooped-up homeowners scramble to add extra square footage to their backyards.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to join the #shedlife movement<\/a>, one of your first questions is likely, \u201cwhat\u2019s the cost to build a shed?\u201d According to HomeAdvisor, the average national price to build a shed is $2,500<\/a>, but the cost can range from $200 to $30,000, depending on materials, complexity, and your contractor\u2019s pricing structure.<\/p>\n

We talked to some shed-building experts, took a deep dive into online pricing information, and crunched the numbers to help you determine whether this project is within your budget.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
(Source: Andy Watkins \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overview of the cost to build a shed<\/h2>\n

We checked some of the top online pricing sites to help you get a ballpark idea of what it might cost to have a shed built:<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> HomeAdvisor<\/a>
\nAverage cost to build a shed: <\/b>$2,500
\nAverage cost per square foot:<\/b> $15-$150
\nLow- to high-end cost range:<\/b> $200-$30,000
\nMethodology: <\/b>HomeAdvisor gathers millions of real project costs from real homeowners in more than 10,000 U.S. cities and towns.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Fixr<\/a>
\nAverage cost to build a shed: <\/b>$5,650
\nAverage cost range:<\/b> $1,500-$10,000
\nLow- to high-end cost range:<\/b> $1,321-$33,764
\nAverage cost per square foot:<\/b> $50-$200
\nMethodology: <\/b>The information provided by Fixr\u2019s cost guides comes from a variety of sources<\/a>, including \u201cspecialized books and websites, published cost studies, U.S. associations, websites and reports from the U.S. government, literature reviews of DIY websites, contractors and subcontractors, material suppliers, material price services, and other vendor websites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Thumbtack<\/a>
\nMedian cost: <\/b>$8,250
\nAverage cost range: <\/b>$1,500-$15,000
\nAverage cost per square foot:<\/b> $17-$24
\nMethodology: <\/b>Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. The website tracks the estimates users get from local professionals and shares those prices on its website.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Costimates<\/a>
\nAverage cost: <\/b>$2,880
\nAverage cost range: <\/b>$980-$5,200
\nAverage cost per square foot:<\/b> $30
\nMethodology: <\/b>Costimates gathers home improvement cost estimates from homeowners and pros and shares them online to help homeowners learn, plan, budget, and compare repair pricing and replacement costs.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Improvenet<\/a>
\nAverage cost: <\/b>$2,914
\nAverage cost range: <\/b>$2,109-$3,545
\nLow- to high-end range:<\/b> $150-$7,000
\nAverage cost per square foot:<\/b> $30<\/p>\n

Significant cost factors<\/h2>\n

Just as no two houses are alike, there are countless types of sheds, each with its own price range. Below are some of the main cost drivers that determine how much you\u2019ll pay for your shed.<\/p>\n

Materials<\/h3>\n

Cristina Miguelez, Remodeling Specialist for project cost resource Fixr.com<\/a>, shares the most common materials used to build sheds, along with their average prices:<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
(Source: Fixr<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

For comparison, here are HomeAdvisor\u2019s<\/a> estimated cost ranges for four of the most common shed materials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Material<\/b><\/td>\nCost<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brick:<\/b> This is by far the most expensive material and the most time-consuming and labor-intensive to build.<\/td>\n$3,200-$30,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wood:<\/b> Wood sheds can be customized in various colors and designs. They are aesthetically desirable but require regular maintenance to preserve their looks and longevity.<\/td>\n$3,000-$15,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metal: <\/b>These types of sheds are more durable and lower-maintenance than wood and are easier to install due to the lightweight material.<\/td>\n$500-$7,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vinyl:<\/b> Vinyl or resin is the most lightweight and economical material for sheds. Although it is resistant to rust and rot, it doesn\u2019t have the longevity of wood or metal, and cannot be repainted.<\/td>\n$200-$5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Not sure which material you\u2019d opt for? According to Jake Beiler, president of established outdoor structure company J&N Structures<\/a>, wood and vinyl\/resin are by far the most common materials for sheds today.<\/p>\n

Labor<\/h3>\n

Beiler estimates that for well-built sheds, approximately 75% of the price comes from labor and the remaining 25% covers materials. \u201cCareful construction is one of the key factors that ensures a shed will last for decades,\u201d he says. According to HomeAdvisor, most contractors charge between $50 to $100<\/a> on average.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that the materials you choose can directly impact the cost of construction. Lightweight materials like metal and vinyl are easier to lift and move and therefore require less labor. Sheds made of heavier materials like wood and brick take longer to construct, resulting in higher labor charges.<\/p>\n

Type of shed<\/h3>\n

How you choose to use your shed also influences the cost. Miguelez breaks down some of the most common shed types:<\/p>\n