Shed Site Preparation Tips

SITE PAD

These tips are basic guidelines. You should consult with a professional contractor to determine what preparation your individual site will need to make the ground flat, level and firm enough to build on.

Once you have chosen the best site for your shed, it is now time to make sure the ground is firm enough to support the structure you are building. No matter where you decide to build your shed,  you'll need to put it on something other than bare ground.

Most sheds--even in extremely cold climates--don't require a frostproof foundation but, size is usually the determining factor. For a larger structure, however, building codes will call for a poured foundation or concrete footings that extend below the frost line.

Building Code

If your community's "Building Code" does not require you to build upon a new concrete slab based upon the size of your shed, then here are a few basic tips to prepare the site to build your shed.

First, you must identify the highest corner of where you"ll build your site. Using a "line level", also check the height of the other 3 corners of your site.

The area must be level within 6" and free of rocks, stumps or other protrusions.
For fill and leveling of the site, soil and/or dirt can be removed from one part of the yard to another and firmly compacted.
If the task of leveling the ground seems overwhelming, or the level of the ground measures more than 6", you should consider hiring a professional contractor to level your site.
Fill can also be purchased and trucked by a contractor to your site.

Loose soil must be tamped (compressed or compacted) to ensure a solid footing.

The area should drain well. 

Mulch, Sand, Clay or old garden clippings  are not recommended as a base for the shed because these materials shift and settle.


Fill Material

Stone or Gravel is the preferred material for fill and or leveling a site.  Gravel can  be purchased at home centers or from a contractor.

It is recommended that the fill covers a larger area than the base of the shed, and the stone or gravel be compacted and level. DO NOT use large diameter stone as it does not compact well and will make the structure unstable.

It's a good idea to allow for a clearance of at least 3' (3 feet) around the shed & a maximum of 12' (12 feet) above the ground. Anything over 12" above the ground is not recommended as these conditions may be unsafe and/or impractical.

Some experts recommend installing a vapor barrier under the floor, but that's not necessary in an unheated shed. If you decide to insulate and heat your shed, then a vapor retarder for the floor, walls and ceiling would be recommended.

In the event you are clearing or leveling a site and putting down a gravel base on a hillside in an attempt to create a more level area, DO NOT dump gravel unless you build a proper Retaining Wall first and compact the gravel thoroughly to keep the gravel in place as this can result in an unstable site.