[updated] APPROXIMATE Cost of building an 8x12 shed or buying one

[AlienChick]

I want to build a chicken coop that is 8x12.
I saw some sheds at Lowes that were over $1,400.
Now I'm wondering how much would it cost (approximately) to build one if I, say, bought all the materials from Lowes?

IF it'll cost the same to make as it does to buy a shed, perhaps I should go that route (for now).

Does anyone have an idea of how much an 8x12 shed coop would cost to build (APPROXIMATELY)?

 

[AlienChick]

So we decided to just go ahead and build our own coop instead of buying a shed.

It's 8 x 12 and so far it's cost us just over $700 with everything purchased from Lowes.
(The 8 x 12 sheds from Lowes cost about $1400 and up; so we figured we got our coop for 1/2 price!)

We have the walls up (except for the front wall and front door). Used pre-primed plywood siding for the walls.

We only have one of the three windows installed (will also install some screened openings on hinges; as well as vents around the top).

I painted the floor with some semi-gloss paint ($5 from the local paint store's ooops bin).
I was gonna use vinyl, but it was $52 from the scrap bin at Lowes.
And I also didn't want to have to deal with the "yuck" that forms underneath the vinyl over time.

We're using the corrugated roofing panels for the roof.

We installed external nestboxes that will have hinged lids for easy access.

We've never built anything before, so we're kinda proud of building our first home . . . even if it is just for the chickens!

Here are a few photos of our project (unfinished).

We bought three of these screened "basement windows" from Lowes for $19 each.

Found the door at Habitat restore for $15.
I was specifically looking for a door with a window.

 

[AlienChick]

I think putting the door up was the most difficult part of this building project.

I think my little $15 door from the Habitat re-store looks quite nice.

I just painted it with some of the red oops paint from Lowes. It's just a coincidence that it happens to match the roof.

We ended up buying two more windows for $19 each from Lowes.

I wanted the nestboxes to open out instead of up, so I could just leave them open if I'm doing maintenance or egg collecting.

I think we're about at the $900 mark now with this project.

It's still a far cry from the $1400 pre-made 8x12 shed (that I would still have to modify), so I'm not complaining.

 

[InviteTanner]

I've been going through the EXACT same situation. I've been to Lowes several times to price the OSB or plywood, the trim board, etc. to do it myself. You don't spend as much money by buying it, but you have to consider your time by building, painting, and replacing if you make mistakes.

If you can afford it and aren't good at building, I'd buy one. Fortunately my husband really enjoys building things so we'll be doing our own. I almost wish we'd buy one at Lowes though, because they are DARLING!

 

[patandchickens]

Asking how much it costs to build an 8x12 shed is like asking how long is a piece of string. It depends (in this case, on what materials you choose to use, which will affect aesthetics and longevity).

If you pay full retail for the same materials as that (or any other) premade shed, you are likely to spend more than you'd spend just buying the premade shed or kit straight-out, especially if you also have to buy some tools and especially if you choose to build it better quality than the premade (which frankly I think would only make sense, not that some of the premades are SO badly built but if I'm doing it at all I'd rather do it to *last*). Unless you are in a hurry, I would also recommend that if you're contemplating building a coop yourself you NOT buy everything from Lowe's but rather spend at least a coupla months actively scavenging for materials. You will still have to buy SOME stuff but not nearly as much.

Then, there is another option you have not mentioned -- buying a secondhand shed. You have to find one in good condition i.e. originally good-quality AND still in good shape, but this is often doable and as long as you can find a way of moving it can save you a considerable chunk o' change.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[cptbahama]

If the shed in the picture you posted runs around a $1000, I think that's pretty fair. Those materials add up fast. The plywood shown in the pic with the vertical stripes is expensive. I think it's called t111 or something like that. Then the shingles, the hardware, etc... If it's OSB wood then that's cheapo but if it's good plywood, $1000 is a fair price.

 

[InviteTanner]

Forgot to add that you can look on Craigslist for used sheds, or the materials to build one yourself. I've found a couple that are exactly what I want and very cheap, but I could tell when I saw them that they'd fall apart if I took a single nail out to disassemble for the move!

 

[Egg Rookie 2010]

I have about $1000 in my chicken project but that also includes the run which I think was about$300. Mine isnt all pretty like that though because we are siding it with old barn wood to look like a wild west building.

 

[blueseal]

i had this 10x12 gambrel shed built by a local shed builder. built on my property for $1500. its my chicken coop. its t1-11 siding with 2x4 structure 30 year shingles and 2x8 planking for the floor . i put vinly down on the floor over the planking .

 

[AlienChick]

Thank you so much!

You guys are awesome!

You've helped me a lot.

I never thought of looking for used shed!

And I really wanted to know APPROXIMATELY how much a shed would cost to build (no frills).

Like I really did not know if it'd cost $200 or $2000! I'm that clueless!

So this gives me a good starting point on what to decide to do.

Thanx a bunch!!!