When it comes to getting a utility building for your storage needs, or work, or whatever purpose you may need an outbuilding, you have choices, and one of them is sure to meet your needs.

Build your own storage shed

There are a lot of people who choose to build a building for themselves. This can be a good option if you posses some basic carpentry skills, basic tools, and a good set of plans. The biggest mistake we see when home owners build their own utility buildings is the “make it up as I go” problem. Starting with a set of plans will allow you to determine the amount and cost of the material needed. There is a great tool for doing this, it is called My Shed Plans, and it offers more woodworking and shed plans than you would have time to build in a lifetime, as well as guidance on building them, and a lot of shed building tips. It may be more than what you think you will need, but you never know, and the cost is low enough that you will probably save more than the sticker price in wasted material alone. My Shed Plans is a good option if you decide to build your own shed.

Prefab shed kits

You can order a kit, and put the building together yourself. There are many companies who specialize in such prefab sheds, which are already cut to size and come with hardware for assembly included. If you have a few basic tools and skills, this can be a great option. This is a good option for someone who has a fence with a gate too small to allow for the delivery and set up of a pre built storage building from a factory or lot. These can be ordered online from manufacturers like Arrow and Duramax to name only a couple. Many of the shed builders who build for delivery also have kits, so you have many choices.

Sheds built on site

If you have a fence or other obstruction to moving a building onto your property, many builders will build one on site for you. You will probably be charged an on site fee, but save the cost of delivery. Something that you should check when you have a building built on site is the local tax code. Some storage buildings may be taxed at different rates depending on whether they are seen by local officials as being portable or permanent. This may effect the way you choose to have your builder set the building up. Also, most companies will not build a building on site if it is to be purchased with a lease to own contract.

Prebuilt portable sheds

You can buy a shed from a lot and have it delivered and set up at your home. Nothing wrong with buying a storage shed in that way. It works well for thousands of people every year. You can go directly to a lot, and see the finished product, and in many cases, you can have the dealer build one just exactly the way you want it, so that you get the product that matches your color scheme and needs. You can even order these buildings online from some companies, without even having to go to a lot.

Resources:

My Shed Plans
My Shed Plans Review
PreFab Shed Kits

Lately we have had several questions com via e mail concerning portable buildings as opposed to storage shed kits. To help cut down on the confusion we thought we would try to cover the subject here. We have talked before about what constitutes a shed, as opposed to a building, but have given in to the common terminology, so that is what we will use here.

Portable sheds

Portable sheds can be any kind of movable shed, like portable garden sheds. Of course, if the shed is attached to a concrete foundation, or to poles set in the ground, it does not meet the criteria for “portable”.

Shed kits

Shed kits are portable, at least they are portable while they are kits. Some shed kits are built to be portable after they are assembled, and some are designed to be permanent fixtures in the landscape.

Sheds built on site

Sheds built on site are a lot like kits. If they are built as post frame structures like pole barns, they are not portable in the normal sense of portability. It would take a good deal of work to make them so. The same is true of those shed structures built on a concrete slab.

While we are at it, lets talk about a few other similar terms:

Utility buildings are buildings which can be used for many purposes such as storage, workshops, and a variety of other uses. Storage sheds and storage buildings are terms used interchangeably in most cases.
Small Barns are usually just storage sheds or utility buildings used for barn like purposes like garden sheds, and tool sheds. In other words, they are all really just utility buildings tooled for a variety of purposes.

Resources:

My Shed Plans
My Shed Plans Review
PreFab Shed Kits

Storage buildings range in size from the monstrously large buildings used to house equipment all the way down to small storage sheds built for just a few items that can be set on a patio, deck, or porch. Sometimes bigger is not better, especially when space is limited, and a strategically placed small building may be the best product for your needs.

What is a small storage shed?

What constitutes small is a subjective. One persons small shed might be 14×30, but for our purposes let’s start with something a bit smaller, say, a 10×10 storage shed. That seems to be a pretty reasonable place to start. I have a hunch that what most people mean by small storage shed is something even smaller, like a 6×8, something that could be reasonably hauled on a pickup truck or trailer, or shipped in parts via UPS without costing a fortune.

Where to find  small storage sheds

If you are looking for a small shed that falls into the 6×8 size range or smaller, you have many options. They can be purchased from a dealer near your location, from many of the home improvement type stores, and if you posses a little skill in the use of tools, and an urge to build, you can build your small shed yourself from scratch. One of the easiest, and cheapest methods for buying a small storage shed is to order one from one of the online dealers.

Buying a small storage shed online

There are hundreds of online storage dealers who specialize in small sheds, and offer a wide variety in sizes, types, and materials. You can find small horizontal storage buildings made from plastics or resin, upright storage sheds built of vinyl, steel, wood, wood composites, or aluminum.

To find the type of small storage building you have in mind see:

Small Sheds Online

There are many ways to buy storage sheds. There are many ways to buy storage shed accessories. The great thing about it is that you have lots of choices. You can buy directly from local dealers, you can even buy storage sheds and accessories online. All the choices can make the decision a little confusing, so we thought we would bring some order to the chaos. You have the choice to:

Buy storage sheds locally

Local storage building dealers are great place to buy storage buildings. There are local shed dealers, who are usually affiliated in some way with a storage shed manufacturer. Some of these manufacturers are local to the area where the dealer displays the buildings, and some are not. The advantage to local dealerships from local manufacturers is that they are nearby, and that you may be given choices on building types and accessories that are peculiar to your area, and not readily available from other sources.

The disadvantages are, that your choices could be limited to what is popular in the region, and that the delivery may cost you more if you are slightly out of the region of normal delivery.

Buy Storage sheds from local dealers who represent non local manufacturers

There are a lot of dealers for large storage shed manufacturers who settle in a particular area, and operate as a franchise for the manufacturer. Some of the suppliers are local, some are not. They usually offer  standard building types, and have some accessories available. Some of these operations focus on storage buildings, carports and garages as their bread and butter, and some, like the national hardware chains, operate this part of their business as a sideline to their other products.

Hardware chains

Hardware chain stores almost all offer a way to buy storage buildings. Some of these come in the form of kits, and most chains work with local contractors who will assemble the building for you for an additional fee.

Buy storage sheds online

Anything you can buy today can be bought online. This includes storage sheds and accessories. You can buy storage buildings online from the business right down the road if you prefer, or you can order from one of the many online suppliers from across the nation.

Local dealers with online stores

Most local dealerships have gotten on board the online train these days. You can buy online from them without having to get up out of your chair. Buying local, but online offers the convenience of online transactions, and the knowledge that you are dealing with someone who is from your area.

Non local dealers with online stores

There are also many places to buy storage buildings online from businesses that are not in your area, but offer a huge variety of buildings in styles and types that may not be available from local vendors. If economy and selection are your main concerns, this is a great way to buy storage buildings.

If you are interested in buying a storage shed online then you should  Visit Our Online Marketplace

It is out goal to make buying and using a storage shed simple and easy for you. If you would like to buy a storage building, or storage shed kit online instead of  searching for one, we believe that you deserve that option! With that in mind, we have created an online store and catalog in conjunction with Betty Mills, one of the largest suppliers of storage buildings and storage shed kits  in the world! Betty Mills offers buildings in many styles from many storage building companies.

To check them out, simply go to our  Online Storage Shed Kit Marketplace

Not all storage buildings are portable. Some are built on site, and are too large to haul in any practical way. In reality, anything can be moved, but under normal circumstances a portable storage building would be limited in size to something along the lines of 14′ x 30′ depending on state laws, and the nature of portable building hauling permits. In other words, a portable storage shed would be something of a size that can be moved with normal equipment, and a standard permit.

Standard storage building sizes

Most portable storage building manufacturers will build in standard sizes that are easily movable for them, but most will also build larger buildings on site. If you decide on something that must be built on site, you will probably not be able to purchase the building through a rent to own program, which is something to keep in mind if you are thinking of going that route.

Portable storage building variety and accessories

All of the normal storage building colors, styles and types can be built as portable storage buildings. There is a huge variety to choose from, and just because the sheds are portable, doesn’t mean that you can’t get all the accessories you want and need.

Buying portable storage buildings in Texas

There are a lot of portable storage building dealers in Texas, all competing for your business, and all willing to work with you to get the building you need. We are working on a list of manufacturers and dealers of  portable storage buildings in Texas and we also have our own online stores featuring products from the best known names in portable building manufacturers, and some of the biggest suppliers of portable building kits in the country.

Note to storage building dealers:

Are you a builder or dealer of portable storage buildings in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas? We get calls and emails every day from people who are looking for portable buildings in these areas, and we often have to search for suppliers near the area. If you would like to be included on our list of quality portable storage building dealers, please contact us for details.

No place to park your car? Buy A Car Shed

If you are like most of us, your garage is full of something other than your car, maybe you have more cars than you have garage space, maybe you just don’t want to keep a machine which runs on highly volatile and explosive fuel, parked in what is in effect, another room of your home! Some home garages have become spare bedrooms, and some are game rooms, or workshops, and that can lead to leaving your poor car or truck out in the unforgiving and hostile environment which is Texas weather!

What is the best reason to buy a carport? That would be car protection!

Car protection

The number one reason for buying a carport or garage in Texas is car protection from Texas weather. Weather conditions over such a large area vary considerably, but one thing is consistent: The summer is always hot. Having a nice shady spot to park improves conditions for your vehicle, and for you.

The weather conditions in the State of Texas can make life difficult for man and beasts, and also for cars and trucks. As I write this, it is hail season, but it is tough through all the seasons, and throughout the state. Temperatures regularly exceed the century mark in the summer, baking and blistering your paint and interior. High winds during our tornado seasons, and hurricane seasons drop tree limbs onto vehicles on a regular basis.

Heat

Have you ever opened your car door on a hot summer day to find it so hot that the heat waves took away your breath? Have you ever had burn marks on the back of your legs from sitting down in such a vehicle? Have you ever found your steering wheel so hot that it that it reminded you of touching the handle on an overheated iron skillet?

The reality is that the heat in such a vehicle is not good for you, or your car. It can be nauseating, and even dangerous in some cases, it is destroying the interior of your vehicle, and it is not necessary! You may be forced to park outdoors at your place of work, but you don’t have to do it at home.

Other weather conditions

In the northern and eastern portions of the state, weather conditions vary considerably, almost moment to moment. We have a saying here: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute!” The day may start off clear and mild, turn hot and humid with temperatures exceeding the century mark, to be followed by an afternoon of hail and damaging winds, and a night of torrential rains.

Golf ball sized hail can cause a lot of damage to the fine finish on your vehicle, and having a car shed is your best form of car protection, and your best insurance against increasing deductibles, and increasing insurance rates.

Weather conditions throughout East and North East Texas have shown us that while hail season in this part of Texas is considered to occur between March and the End of June, there is never really a time of the year when it is not hail season in Texas! Recently, our area was hit with a large series of large storms, unloading pea size, to softball size hail through the region! Hail can, and does, happen all the time. Be prepared. Protect your car from hail damage!

Hail damage in Texas has a phenomenal cost, but you can lower the chances that you will have a claim, with one inexpensive step. Buy a simple and inexpensive carport!

Your car spends more time at your home than anywhere else, and that is where the chief danger lies. Even if you have a garage, the chances are pretty good that you have it full of something other than your car, and that leaves your car or truck exposed to those late night hailstorms when you are tucked safely away in bed.

Auto repair savings

The cost in deductibles alone will probably cover the cost of a new steel carport, and save you the hassle of the insurance claim process and the inconvenience of the body shop.

Insurance costs continue to rise, deductibles continue to increase, repair costs climb, but the carport you buy today will continue to save you money for years to come.

Right now, Sheds Texas offer a huge selection of sheds, car sheds, and carports at drastically reduced prices, and free shipment on all outdoor related products through our association with the Betty Mills company. The savings are substantial, so before you buy a car shed, you should at least  Visit Our Online Marketplace

Get your products in front of our audience. Texans in search of storage sheds and storage buildings often stop here first to find information. Why not let them know about your product or service right here where they are already looking?

The people who come to this site are already looking for products like yours. This makes them prime qualified leads, so half your work is done! Our audience is not the largest in the world, but it is tightly focused. The people who read these pages are motivated, sharp, and looking for specific products in a specific location. If you can meet their needs, you owe it to them to let them know!

We have prime ad slots available at fair prices.

Contact: james@customutilitybuildings.com

We believe metal is better, but, we offer a check list for maintaining wood buildings below: >>>

At Sheds Texas, we have always believed that steel is the best covering for most utility buildings in most cases. Metal clad buildings are durable and modern coating technologies keep steel storage buildings looking good long after most wood or composite buildings have rotted beyond their usefulness.  and for these reasons, they represent the best value over the long haul. This is a belief we still hold.

Reasons for owning a wood storage shed

While this is true, it is also true that many people will still find reasons to buy a wood storage building. One reason is initial cost, another is Home Owners Associations, who persist in the belief that all metal buildings are like their grandfathers old tin building. At any rate, and for whatever reason, we wanted to add some information on maintaining wood storage sheds for the best longevity possible.

Preventing moisture is the key

Moisture is second only to fire as the enemy of wood. To preserve your wooden structure, you need to prevent moisture from getting into the wood. This is accomplished with paint, stain, or some other type of wood preservative, to seal the moisture out. The edges and ends are most susceptible. The will need extra protection where they are exposed, or joined. This is the job of caulking and trim.

Develop a maintenance schedule

The best way to go about this is to have a schedule for cleaning, painting and sealing your wooden building. This is best done once a year, or at worst, every 18 months.

Wood storage shed maintenance checklist and tips

Please follow the order listed below. If you caulk the building, and then realize you need to level it, your caulking may separate when the building is being leveled.

• Check the building for levelness. Do this first.
• Check for wood to ground contact and correct this by adding concrete blocks if needed.
• Check for termite trails on the sides of any concrete blocks.
• Completely clean the entire building exterior. This is important for finding potential problems, and for assuring a clean surface that your coating can adhere to.
• Check for missing or damaged shingles.
• Remove any brush, limbs, or other debris.
• Check the edges of the eves and overhangs to make sure that there is nothing rotting there. If there is any potential damage from moisture in this area, you should consider adding, or extending metal flashing.
• Check directly under the roof, where it contacts the outside of the building, caulk any places where there are gaps. To check this, go inside the building , look around the top of the walls for light, and caulk until you can’t find any.
• Check the corners of the building, once again, look for gaps, and caulk accordingly.
• Check around doors, and windows.
• Check the door and window weather stripping.
• Check the siding, and caulk any exposed nail or screw holes.
• Apply your paint, stain, or wood preservative only when these other steps have been taken, and the building is clean and dry.

If you do these things, it will increase the longevity of your building, and the building will stay in good condition as long as you do. When you stop, your wood storage shed will deteriorate.

Storage sheds like the ones pictured require little maintenance.

Prebuilt sheds

The answer depends a lot on your situation. In most cases, prebuilt sheds, or prefab storage sheds are the best answer. Prefab sheds relieve you from the hassle of having to assemble a shed yourself, or the somewhat similar hassle of having someone build one on your site.

Storage shed kits and contractors

Storage building kits are notorious in there difficulty, though some headway has been made in the storage shed kit industry in the last few years. Better equipment and building design also makes having a contractor build a storage shed for you on site a little less painful, but the fact is, that for the ultimate in convenience, having a prebuilt shed delivered in one piece, to your backyard, and set it up for immediate use, can’t be beat!

Prebuilt sheds and rent to own

Keep in mind, that most dealers will only do a rent to own storage shed contract on a prebuilt shed. The reason is pretty simple, if they lease a building that can’t be picked up without dissembling either it, or the fence, retrieving the building in case of default would be difficult.

When prebuilt sheds are not the right choice

Prebuilt sheds are not the answer in all circumstances though. If, for instance, you have a fence around the area where you plan to place the building, especially one with a small gate, a prebuilt shed may not be for you. In such instances, many suppliers will be happy to accommodate by sending a crew with a partially prebuilt shed, and then put it together on your lot. In such cases, you should expect the cost to be a little higher.