Build a garden shed — step by step
A sturdy garden shed that fits the lawnmower, bikes and all your tools — without looking like a tin shack.
This is a complete guide to build a garden shed yourself — step by step, with a material list, tools, a timeline and what it costs. It's written for anyone building at home without professional experience: count on 3–5 weekends and a material cost of around 10,000–30,000 kr.
Showing method: Permit-free shed, max 15 m²
The price is an estimate based on typical material prices and can vary depending on size, material choice, location and store.
Which method suits you best?
Best for: General storage for garden tools, bikes and seasonal gear.
Please note: Material quantities, prices and building methods are guidelines. Always check current prices, local regulations and product instructions before starting a project.
How a garden shed comes together
A shed of about 4–6 m² is one of the most rewarding projects on the plot — it instantly clears the clutter off the deck and garage. We'll cover building a stable foundation on piers, raising a stud frame, cladding it with panels and laying a tight roof. The result lasts 25+ years.
Materials for a garden shed — full list
Check items off while you shop — the list stays with you on the page.
Build a garden shed step by step
- 01
Plan size and placement
A shed of 2 × 3 m goes a long way for typical household storage. Bear in mind the building-permit threshold — a permit-free shed of max 15 m² doesn't need a permit. Position it so the door opens onto open ground and the roof slopes away from the house.
Tip: Measure your lawnmower and bike — depth matters more than width. - 02
Dig and set the piers
Dig 6 holes about 70 cm deep (below frost depth). Add gravel to the bottom, set the piers, and check that all 6 sit at exactly the same height using a long spirit level and a straight batten. Adjust with gravel as needed.
- 03
Build the floor frame
Screw sill joists to the pier brackets. Then lay floor joists across at 60 cm spacing. Lay a 22 mm floor chipboard panel or sawn boarding on top. Check the diagonal measurements to ensure it's square.
- 04
Raise the wall frames
Build each wall frame flat on the floor: sill, top plate and vertical studs at 60 cm centres. Leave openings for the door and window. Raise one wall at a time, fasten it to the sill, and check plumb before screwing the corners together.
Tip: Build the whole wall flat on the ground — much easier to get it square than standing up. - 05
Lay the roof
Build simple rafters with a lean-to or gable roof (10–15° pitch is enough for a shed). Lay sawn boarding, roofing felt, and then roofing sheet or shingles. Make sure the roof overhangs the wall by at least 10 cm so rain is directed away.
- 06
Clad the walls
Nail or screw the shiplap cladding onto the frame. Start at the bottom and work upward. Leave a 5–10 mm gap between the cladding and the sill so water can drain off.
- 07
Fit the door, window and fittings
Hang the door with heavy-duty hinges and fit a lock. Install the window if you're adding one and seal around the frame with sealant. Fit architrave around the door and window.
- 08
Paint or oil
Apply Falun red paint (a classic choice), pigmented oil, or exterior stain. Two coats, with drying time in between. Repaint every 5 years and the shed will last for decades.
Help specific to build a garden shed
How the time breaks down
A shed of around 6 m² takes 3–5 weekends. The foundation and frame take the most time; the cladding goes quickly.
- Planning, drawing & shoppingWeekend 1 morning (3–4 h)
- Digging and setting piersWeekend 1 (6–8 h)
- Floor frame + flooringWeekend 2 (5–6 h)
- Raising the wall framesWeekend 2–3 (6–8 h)
- Roof + felt + sheetingWeekend 3 (6–8 h)
- Cladding + door + windowWeekend 4 (8–10 h)
- Painting / oilingWeekend 5 (4–6 h + drying time)
How to save time
- Build the walls flat on the floor — faster and squarer.
- Buy a ready-made door instead of building one — saves a whole weekend.
- Hire an auger — saves at least half a weekend of digging.
Questions and answers about build a garden shed
How do you build a garden shed?
A shed of about 4–6 m² is one of the most rewarding projects on the plot — it instantly clears the clutter off the deck and garage. We'll cover building a stable foundation on piers, raising a stud frame, cladding it with panels and laying a tight roof. The result lasts 25+ years. The guide breaks the work into 8 steps — you start with plan size and placement, dig and set the piers and build the floor frame and work your way forward at your own pace.
How much does it cost to build a garden shed?
Material cost is typically 10,000–30,000 kr. Total cost 10,000–30,000 kr for a shed of 4–6 m². The roof and door are the biggest line items. The biggest items are piers + pier brackets + gravel 1,200–2,000 kr, joists 45×95 mm (~65 m) 2,500–4,000 kr and plywood/sawn boarding (~20 m²) 2,000–3,500 kr. The price varies with size, material choice, location and store.
What materials do you need for a garden shed?
You'll need things like concrete piers, pier brackets, sill joists 45 × 95 mm pressure-treated, joists 45 × 95 mm pine and plywood 12 mm or sawn timber boarding — the full material list with quantities is in the guide and can be checked off while you shop. Tools you'll need at home: drill & batteries, circular saw or mitre saw, spirit level (60 cm) and tape measure & chalk.
How long does it take and how hard is it?
Count on 3–5 weekends for a garden shed. A shed of around 6 m² takes 3–5 weekends. The foundation and frame take the most time; the cladding goes quickly. The difficulty level is challenging, so you can manage it without professional experience if you follow the steps in order.
Which method should I choose for a garden shed?
There are 2 common ways to build it: permit-free shed, max 15 m² and mini shed 2 × 1 m against the house wall. Choose a method at the top of the page — the guide, material list and cost then adapt to that solution.
What's the most common mistake?
The mistakes we see most often: too few piers — the floor sways within the first year, insufficient roof overhang — the cladding rots down near the sill and forgetting the roofing felt under the roofing sheet — condensation drips inside the shed. Read through the whole guide once before you start — that way you'll avoid most of them.
And that's it, done.
Take a step back, pour a cup of coffee and enjoy. You built it yourself.
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