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Build a Shed : Foundation


Build a Shed : Foundation
There’s no need to be a carpentry expert when building a shed that lives up to the beauty of your home. To start off on the right foot, it’s important to determine which type of foundation will provide the most effective base. Here are a few of the basics needed to inform your choice of foundation.


Foundation: Concrete Slab


Calculate an overall density of 100/lb ft3 to cast a flat surface, or 220/lb ft3 adding a 1-foot stem wall. If two bags of concrete are required for each cubic foot and each concrete bag costs $5, then you can expect to spend $500 and $1 100, respectively. Also, you must foresee adequate clearance and accessibility to accommodate a cumbersome delivery.

The cost of renting a ready-mix concrete truck is approximately $600 per 100 ft3, and that’s double the price for twice the volume. It’s very tricky- nay, impossible for a traditional truck to transfer this amount of concrete to a small backyard. You can expect to be charged a minimum delivery fee. If access to your backyard is too narrow, a concrete pump at a rate of about $800 is also an option. The fees involved for paying a professional to do the job vary from $200 to $5 000. Variances depend on the season the work is carried out, whether you live in an urban or rural location, competitors in your area, etc.

Foundation: Screw Piles


For example, let’s take a standard 10' x 12' shed. In order to support the weight of this structure, you’ll need two 12-foot beams, which retail for $48 each. Both beams are supported by 3 piles, at a cost of about $160 each. The total works out to just over $1 000. Don’t underestimate the high physical workload needed to form and pour concrete, not to mention inevitable construction damage to your lawn caused by heavy equipment. The digger drive used to install screw piles can easily navigate a manicured lawn leaving it intact. It’s strongly recommended that you hire a certified screw pile installer. That way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the work is backed by a guarantee. Once the screw piles are in, you’re free to take over the assembly and installation of the joists and beams yourself. Your shed foundations built in this way minimizes the impact of seasonal erosion and annual deterioration.

Foundation: Deck block


For those of you considering concrete or plastic blocks instead of screw piles, keep in mind that the quality of your soil will play an extremely important role in adequately securing your foundation. Soil that is poorly drained or clay-based, un-compacted and lacks ample sand or solid rock is at risk of shifting or sinking. If this is the case, your blocks may move or crack and significantly affect the renovation of your shed as well as its appearance.

You’ll also need to consider how the weight of heavy snowfall will impact the structure of your shed, especially when the soil becomes saturated and soft in the spring. A concrete block can generally sustain a load of approximately 500 kilos. Due to water accumulation from snowmelt, a load of this capacity resting on damp soil can sometimes cause the ground to remain permanently wet and weakened.

Unlike blocks, screw piles are driven deep into the ground, well below the frost line and therefore are not preoccupied by heaving or shifting. Furthermore, screw piles are installed and verified by a certified contractor whose work is backed by a guarantee. This ensures the integrity and long-term durability of your structure. On the other hand, concrete slabs will distribute loads over a larger area but will ultimately support less weight per square foot. It’s important to take these various factors into consideration when informing your choice for the best foundation.

Foundation : Estimate the costs


The free 3D application, Virtual Constructor, enables you to plan any building project. Do you have an idea for a garage extension? How about a patio just in time for summer? A shed project on the horizon? ? In addition to providing tips and techniques, the calculator app manages your budget according to the dimensions and the materials you select.

Try it for fun today!


 


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