4 Budget Conscious Tips for Buying a Garden Shed

Outdoor storage sheds make every gardening task more convenient since they keep every tool close by. The problem is that garages and sheds can sometimes be a little bit on the expensive side. That isn’t always the case, so it’s still possible for the gardener on a budget to get a garden shed of their own. It simply takes a little bit of extra work to find the right shed at the right price, and there are a few things to keep in mind during the hunt.

Keep It Small

There are a lot of different garden shed designs to choose from, and some of them are bigger than others. The size of a shed is almost always the biggest factor in determining its price, so choosing the right size is the first step towards saving money.

Many gardeners who want to cut costs opt for the smallest shed they can find, but that isn’t always the best idea. Owning a shed that is too small to be useful isn’t much better than having no shed at all, and it costs significantly more. The best strategy is to make a list of everything that the shed needs to hold.

Then calculate the amount of space that is required. Choose a design that is slightly bigger than that minimum to allow space for movement inside the shed. But don’t choose something with too much extra space. This cuts the cost down as much as possible without sacrificing any of the shed’s utility.

Material Matters

Material costs are also a significant factor in a shed’s price. Most gardeners have a choice between plastic, metal, and wood. Each one has its own advantages, and it’s important to decide if the advantages are worth the price.

Wood sheds look good, and they aren’t prone to condensation, so they’re an excellent choice for storing things that need to avoid all moisture. However, they need to be repainted and maintained more often than the other options, which can drive up the cost in the long term.

Metal sheds often cost more upfront, but they resist damage, so their continuing costs are low. Plastic is usually cheap and requires minimal maintenance, but it isn’t quite as sturdy as metal.

Local prices will vary, but in general, people who are concerned with the initial price should pick plastic, while people who are worried about the long-term cost should pick metal. Wood should be chosen if its appearance or unique storage characteristics are especially desirable.

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Skip The Extras

Backyard storage sheds are often sold with extra features, like internal shelves or benches. They can be useful, but they can also be expensive. Cutting the extra features can be a good way to save money.

Avoiding sheds that come with extra features from the store doesn’t mean going without those features, either. People who want shelves or benches can keep an eye out for old furniture that people are throwing out, and move those pieces into the shed. The end result is the same, but it’s significantly cheaper.

Think About Maintenance

No budget should ignore the long-term cost of maintenance. Most sheds don’t need much more than an occasional cleaning or coat of paint, but that price can still add up. Skipping maintenance is a bad idea because nothing costs more than replacing an entire shed that is too damaged to use, so the best option is picking a shed that is sturdy and easy to maintain.

Every gardener, even budget-conscious ones, deserves to have a shed. If you’re looking to save money, customizing your own shed is also possible. All it takes is a little bit of planning to decide which features are really important, and shopping around to find a good deal.

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