Laying the Foundation

• 1). Create the foundation for your shed. A concrete foundation is best as it lasts much longer than wood foundations.
  
  
• 2). Measure an area large enough to contain your shed with an additional 2 inches to each side. Mark off the area using lawn flags.
  
  
• 3). Excavate the marked area to a depth of 4 inches in preparation for laying your foundation. Compact the soil within the excavation using a plate compactor rented from an equipment rental shop or home improvement store. Run the compactor across the entire excavated surface to create a firm setting for the foundation.
  
  
• 4). Build a frame around the edge of the excavation using 2-by-4s. Nail the 2-by-4s to create a square 4 inches high to hold and shape the foundation.
  
  
• 5). Fill the bottom of the excavation with a layer of gravel 2 inches deep to aid with drainage of the concrete foundation. Compact the gravel using the plate compactor.
  
  
• 6). Wet the gravel slightly so that concrete poured into the excavation does not have its moisture leeched away by the stones.
  
  
• 7). Mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pour the concrete into the excavation, filling the hole to the top of the wooden frame.
  
  
• 8). Finish the foundation by dragging a screed bar across the surface of the poured concrete to level the concrete out and pull some of the moisture to the top of the slab. Run a steel trowel across the surface of the concrete to smooth it out. Cover the slab with a piece of plastic sheeting so that it cures at a consistent rate without drying out. Secure the sheeting with rocks around the perimeter of the slab and allow the slab to cure for a week. Remove the sheeting and allow it to cure another week.
  
  

Building the Shed

• 1). Check that the shed kit contains all the parts necessary to complete the shed and that it comes ready for installation onto a concrete foundation.
  
  
• 2). Assemble the frame of the shed. Begin with the upright structural supports of the frame. Drill the holes for each support into the foundation and mount the supports using the brackets and lug bolts provided in the kit. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions as to placement of the frame pieces.
  
  
• 3). Assemble the remainder of the frame. The joint pieces of the shed kit come pre-angled, so attach the joints to the uprights where directed by the instructions and then attach the rest of the frame, including the wall panels. Mount the roof support trusses to complete the frame.
  
  
• 4). Add the shed siding to the assembled frame, securing the siding to the frame by nailing it to the structural supports. Add the roof to the shed, beginning with a layer of plywood, followed by felt paper and roofing material. Use tiles or roofing shingles that match your home to keep the shed as unobtrusive as possible.
  
  
• 5). Complete the shed by adding the doors and windows. The kit should come complete with hinges for the doors and complete window frames with glass panels for the windows.