tools needed

When you are building a shed yourself, it is important to get the tools you need together before you start.

The first tool you need to begin your project is a good set of construction plans. Very few people have the necessary skills to build a shed from scratch without some kind of plans. Investing in good tools ensures a better job, saving time and money. Without a good plan, your project could take considerably longer at best and at worst take on nightmare proportions.

When you begin with your plans, it is then a simple matter to be able to purchase the correct amount and type of timbers and the hardware required for your project, knowing that there will be little wastage and that your structure will be building code compliant.

To build your shed you will need good quality tools and at the very least, you will need a circular saw, a power drill, a good quality hammer and a number of hand-tools like pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches. You will also need other equipment like a level, a setsquare and a chalk line for leveling the building.

If the foundation you build is a concrete one, you will also needs a shovel, a post-hole digger, either a wheelbarrow to mix the concrete in or a small powered concrete mixer (perhaps hired or borrowed). A good strong pair of work gloves are essential when working with concrete, so get at least one pair.

Once you have built your shed, it will require some kind of finish, so you will also require painting equipment. You will need paint brushes or a paint sprayer.

A reciprocating saw is very useful for those tricky cuts when the wood is in place, but is not a necessity.

This is a basic list of tools needed to build a shed, but the most important tool of all of them is a set of plans. A good set of plans will include all the cut sizes you need and a complete materials and hardware list that you can take with you to the lumberyard to get quotes. They can even cut all the timber for you for a small cost saving you significant time and money by removing the need to purchase some of the more expensive tools that you may not have.

Having a comprehensive list of materials, tools and equipment will enable you to have everything you need before you begin, so that you can work uninterrupted and make good progress with your shed.



Here is a detailed list of the tools needed to build a shed.

1. The most important tool you will need is your shed blueprints. A design plan of the exact shed you want to build. This will be your road map from the ground up to the final structure. Without a specified plan it is possible that you will end up wasting a lot of your time, energy, and money. Do not let this happen to you, plans are easy to come by when you know where to look.

2. List of Power Tools: These will make your project go smoothly.

A Cordless drill

A circular saw. If you do not own one, check the yellow pages for rentals in your area.

3. Basic Hand Tools:

A quality hammer. Since you will be using it quite a bit get a good one

A tape measure appropriate for the size of structure you are building

A framing square

Screwdriver for the size of screws you will be using

A level to keep everything straight

A chalk line

Assortment of wrenches and pliers

4. Foundation tools: If you are building a permanent structure you will need:

A shove

A wheel barrow or something to mix the concrete in

Post hole digger

5. Paint supplies:

A Paint or stain of your choice

Brushes or a paint sprayer if you have one. (If not, check for rentals.)

This is a basic guideline for the tools that will be needed. However your shed blueprints may require additional equipment for construction and the tools needed may vary. One last thing, if you just want to put the thing together, take your shed plans to a lumber yard in your area, and see if they can cut the lumber for you