Simple 4-Step Guide To Having Your Own Shed House

With the world’s economic state, tiny home life has soared in popularity. Home prices keep soaring, and it’s becoming harder and harder to deal with realtors and insane pricing. A shed house provides homeowners with an affordable option for housing.

Not only is it simple, but it is also a sustainable way of living. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can get started on your shed house journey. We’ll discuss how to convert your shed into a livable space, where to get the best sheds, and the benefits you can reap by switching to a shed house lifestyle.

What Kind Of Shed Do I Need For A Shed House?

There is no one style of shed that can be converted into a shed house. Whether it’s a Quaker, A-Roof, or New England, every style will be able to provide you with the space you need for a shed house. What matters is the aesthetic you’re looking for.

For example, an A-Roof style shed will give you the same amenities that any of the other sheds will but will have a more simple and minimalist look. While on the other hand, a modern or New England-style shed will look more luxurious and detailed. All styles of sheds offer a great opportunity for shed living!

How Big Should My Shed House Be?

We recommend at least a 10×20 for at least a bed and some other items, but at the end of the day, only you know how much space you need. Not everyone will have the same needs. You might only want a space to sleep in, while others might want the full experience with a kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

If you would like more amenities similar to the ones listed above, something larger, like a 12×24 shed, might be more useful to you. This will provide you with 288 square feet of space, which is similar to a studio apartment.

Whatever you decide to do with your shed house, choosing the right size is one of the most crucial steps. Factor in what kind of furniture you plan on putting in your shed and how large they are. You can also consult with the shed builder to discuss what kind of shed size would work best for you!

How To Make Your Shed House Livable?

To make your shed livable and convert it into a shed house, you will need the most basic living utilities. Take a look at the list below!

Shed House Insulation

Insulation is a very important part of a shed house. If you’re going to be spending long hours in your shed, insulating it will make it more comfortable. What does shed insulation do? Well, it serves the same purpose as it would in your house; it puts a buffer in between the walls of your house to reduce the flow of thermal energy.

In more simple terms, it lowers your heating and cooling costs while keeping a more stable temperature in your shed house, whether it’s cold or hot. You can insulate your shed with spray foam, fiberglass, and many other materials. To get a full understanding of shed insulation, check out our blog on it here.

Shed House Electricity

Since we are in the 21st century, more than likely, you will want to hook up electricity in your shed house. This could be for TVs, gaming consoles, or any other device that requires electricity. You will need 4 things in order to wire electricity in your shed house.

A conduit or burial electrical cable
Electrical wire
Switch Box
Outlets/Light Fixtures

Light Conduits For Shed Houses

The right conduit will be liquid-tight and approved for underground/outdoor installation. These are typically metal covered by resistant plastic. Measure the distance between your home and shed to buy the correct footage of conduit. You can connect your conduit to a switch box in your home.

Electrical Wiring For Shed Houses

Measure the distance between your house and your shed. The farther you get from your home, which is the source of electricity, the less power you will have running through the cable. Electrical cables are measured in gauges. The lower the gauge, the thicker your cable will be, which in turn will affect the amperage. Thicker cable, more power.

If your shed is within 20 feet of your home, a 14-gauge wire will provide enough power. If your shed is anywhere between 20-50 feet, a 12 gauge will be handier. You could probably get away with a 14-gauge, but to avoid any voltage drop, a 12-gauge is the safer option. Anything above 50 feet, and you need to go with a 10 gauge.

When you’re ready to wire your shed, don’t forget to TURN OFF THE POWER in your home. This is crucial for your safety.

Switch Box For Shed Houses

Your switch box should be inside your house. This is so when you turn off electricity; the underground wiring doesn’t get energized. One end of the conduit you bought will be connected to this box. Once you have safely installed your wiring, you can then wire the switch box to your home’s electrical panel.

If this is your first time wiring electricity to something without any prior experience, it might be a bit overwhelming. If you have extra budget space, we recommend hiring a contractor that can do this task for you.

Plumbing For Shed Houses

Having running water in your shed house has lots of benefits. If you’re thinking of including a kitchen or bathroom, installing plumbing is a must.

Zoning and Planning for Plumbing in a Shed House

You should check with your municipality to see what guidelines they have set up. Most townships consider plumbing and access to water as a sign of habitation which means that you might have to pay extra taxes, among other things. With it also being a habitable space, there are also a number of building regulations that your plumbing must meet.

Another issue you might come across is the depth you have to dig. Depending on your location, you might have to go a certain depth to clear the underground frost line. The frost line is the depth at which the groundwater in the soil is expected to freeze. This depends on the climate of your area.

With plumbing being affected by zoning laws and regulations, it is best to leave it to professionals. Breaking any of these laws can create issues down the line, and getting professional help will always be the best option.

Benefits of Living In A Shed House

Living in a shed house provides homeowners with countless amount of benefits, but there are 3 that really stand out.

Shed House Affordability

The first and foremost benefit is affordability. Compared to a traditional home or apartment, shed houses will result in lower costs. The main expense is either purchasing a shed or building it yourself.

Once you have acquired your shed and have gone through setting up plumbing, electricity, and other utilities, your monthly expenses will be drastically reduced. The cost of shed houses are even lower if you have an existing shed that you want to renovate or convert.

Shed House Flexibility

Another huge benefit of shed houses is the flexibility that they offer. You can place your shed house anywhere you want! There is nothing holding you back from doing so. Do you want a second home right behind your house?

Great, you can do that! Do you want a getaway on a nearby plot of land that you own? You can do that too! The only limit is your imagination. Since these sheds are also portable, you can move them around with ease.

Shed House Simplicity

Sometimes it’s better to live a simpler life, and a shed house can do wonders for you! Living in a shed house encourages a more minimalist lifestyle and is clutter-free. Whether you’re looking to be a new homeowner or just want an addition to your home, having a shed house can truly ease your mind and let you live a life that isn’t so complex.

How To Do It

Achieving your dream shed house is a relatively simple 4-step plan.

Research

The first step is relatively simple. Start your research and determine if a shed house is the right option for you. Look into your local zoning laws and building codes and make sure that you are educated on them, so you don’t have any headaches down the road. Determine how you’ll use your shed and what size would be right for you.

Prepare The Site

Once you’ve done the research and are ready to purchase, you need to get the site of your shed ready. This includes leveling out any uneven spots and installing a foundation. Shed foundations aren’t a necessity for smaller sheds, but we’re going to be assuming here that you’ll be interested in a larger shed for more space in your home.

A foundation for your shed makes sure that the bottom of your shed is not susceptible to any water buildup and increases its lifespan. To learn more about shed foundations, check out this article from Site Prep.

Modify Your Shed

Modifying your shed refers to installing utilities, as we discussed above, so we won’t go into too much detail. This involves insulating, adding plumbing, and electricity.

Furnish and Decorate

This is the fun part! Decorate and furnish your shed house any way you want! Make it your own. You can put memorabilia, sofas, beds, tables, whatever you want! You’re on the last step, so have fun with it!

Should I Build Or Buy A Shed House?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Take a look down below to see them all.

What To Expect When You Build Your Shed House

Cost-Effective – Purchasing a shed can get pricy when you buy it upfront. You’re not only paying for the building but the shipping and installation. When you build your shed yourself, you can gauge the price of materials and have an easier time sticking to your budget. On the other hand, if you’re on a tighter budget, the best option would be to take advantage of Rent-To-Own (RTO).

This is a system that most shed builders use, so you can pay for your shed in monthly installments. Once you are done with your payments, you own the building, and it is yours to keep!

Personal Satisfaction – When you accomplish something yourself, it feels way better than having someone do it for you. Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, making it into a fun weekend project where you can invest time can be worthwhile. Not only will you learn something new, but you will also be building your own dream shed house.

Customization – Although shed builders let you have full creative control, they typically come in a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, if you want specifically design a space in your shed larger for closet space or for kitchens, you could do this easier when you build your own shed.

What To Expect When You Buy Your Shed House

As shed builders, we have some experience with this question! So what is the main difference between buying your shed and building it?

Professional Help – With professional help from experts, you can experience an easier time getting your shed house up and running! We streamline the process and make it easier than ever for you to get your hands on your shed. All you have to do is customize your shed; shed builders will give you full creative control and let you choose and pick every aspect of your shed. Once you’re done, that’s it. Now you just have to wait for your building.

Rent-To-Own – Shed builders offer a finance system called Rent-To-Own. Each builder will offer different variations of it, but the base of it stays the same. It is a way that homeowners can purchase a shed by paying a monthly fee instead of purchasing a shed flat-out. This is a great way for customers to save money yet still be able to have the luxury of a shed house.
Installation – Installation is also made very easy when you purchase a shed from a builder. Builders will ship your building to you and install it on-site where you want it. Some shed builders even offer to prepare your site and build you a foundation! Check with your local shed builders to see if they offer this option!

Installation – Installation is also made very easy when you purchase a shed from a builder. Builders will ship your building to you and install it on-site where you want it. Some shed builders even offer to prepare your site and build you a foundation! Check with your local shed builders to see if they offer this option!

Shed Houses For Sale

Overholt and Sons has been in the outdoor structures industry for over 30 years! We’ve been serving our community in KY with excellent and sturdy buildings. Our line of buildings includes sheds, garages, animal shelters, and cabins! We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and want to make sure you get the structure that you need. One that’ll last a lifetime and look great on your property. You can fill out a free quote here, or if you’d like a visual of what your shed house could look like, take a look at our 3D Shed Builder, where you can fully customize the size, materials, colors of your shed, and much more. We look forward to hearing from you!