DIY | EASY Shed - not so easy to Build. On a simple platform

This week's project was a wild ride! I took on the challenge of building an Easy Shed and a platform/desk for it to sit on. Throughout the build, I faced some unexpected obstacles that I'll share with you. The shed itself is a narrow slider and requires a level surface to sit on, so I had to get creative with my platform design. I opted for a sturdy and stylish platform made from treated pine and painted pine slats. Join me as I walk you through the entire process, from start to finish, and share some helpful tips and tricks along the way.
Check out what tools and gear I in the Small Fry Workshop:
Australian: benable.com/Smallfrycreations...
Non Australian: benable.com/Smallfrycreations...
Here are some helpful links
Easy Shed: easyshed.com.au/products/narr...
DIY Knuckleheads: • Building a Deck Over C...
Bunnings Shelving: www.bunnings.com.au/handy-sto...
Deck levelers:
www.bunnings.com.au/builders-...
Skip Ahead
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Build Start Day 1
2:57 - Rant
5:55 - Build Day 2
7:06 - Shed panels to a box
9:28 - Platform
11:55 - Build Day 3
13:00 - Platform construction
14:56 - Moving the shed outside
16:47 - Build Wrap up
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Happy building and if you like to stay up to date with what I'm currently working on be sure to follow me on social.
Facebook: / smallfrycreationsanddiy
Instagram: goo.gl/bWWnQe
Etsy: www.etsy.com/au/shop/SmallFry...
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FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)
MUSIC:
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Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/zayner/falling
License code: Q8XQJRBA8GHVMBJO
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[@RobinLewisMakes]

3:24 been there, completely agree with you! You shouldn't be second guessing yourself along the way

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thanks Robin. Was very frustrating but nice to have it done and its working well since I have completed. Just a mission to get it there :)

[@kyleraftery3268]

Yeah, I'm halfway through a 3m x 3m Easy Shed and slowly losing the will to live. Your video has given me hope that eventually it will be done and I never ever have to do one again.

[@SmallFryCreations]

I hear you!! Its very tough but I do promise once together its great. My shed has been excellent since getting over the trauma of putting it together. Hang in there you have got this!

[@SuperJaydubya]

Well done, I love your work and the shed looks fantastic. can't wait for your next project. thankyou

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thanks John! Looking forward to getting back to some wood working now its done

[@evelynmueller6523]

Awesome job ladies!!!!!

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you Evelyn! Glad to be done. I mowed the lawn yesterday and it was so nice to be able to walk and get what I needed instead of hunting around the workshop for it!

[@sirusmoon]

Pretty neat build

[@calebleong76]

This is awesome.... thank you for the amount of details in it too. Placing the shed on a wood platform is genius. Will surely take inspiration from this. Good job. Cheers.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful. The deck is working our perfectly and makes great sense for the place we have the shed. :)

[@stevo3644]

What a great video and thanks for sharing.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@diyforknuckleheads]

I remember many years ago when l was an apprentice and a friend asked me to put together a garden shed.....no worries l said....how hard can it be l said....It almost did me in 😂 Definitely a two man job 🤔 Great video Ainslee and the shed looks great....despite the issues. 👍👍

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂I feel you. Thank you. Just glad its done now and its working great. Just a mission to get it finished

[@craftingwiththebeard4728]

Easy not so easy 🤣🤣 love it! Great video Ainslee and perfect timing for me as I’m looking to put in a shed.

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂 you would have hoped if it was in the title you would be ok 😂 got there in the end and happy now it’s done just lots of challenges along the way

[@craftingwiththebeard4728]

@@SmallFryCreations well you got it done, the base was a great addition too!!

[@elvis0305]

I had purchased from EasyShed and it took 2 handy man couple of days to put it together and anchored to the ground in my backyard. The thing bothers me the most is that the tip of all the sharp screws are exposed all over the place inside the shed, it's so easy to scratch yourself when you are in the shed .

[@SmallFryCreations]

I agree the screws sticking out can be annoying. I have the shelving in there so I don't come in contact with them but can imagine that would be annoying.

[@hastings9452]

I built one of these easy sheds yesterday. I sympathise with you. It was one of the most frustrating builds I’ve done. I riveted instead of screwing it was a bad idea Excellent video,

[@SmallFryCreations]

Oh gosh.. The point of no resutnr with the pop rivets. Hope it worked out in the end for you. I'm glad its now done but won't be rushing to do it again anytime soon

[@daveh1081]

Ainslee, I'll say it again.......love your presentational style! Well done for keeping your cool on this project! I must make a point of picking up some of those deck levellers when I visit my daughter in Perth this year.....never seen them here in the U.K. Well done ladies.....top job!! Best Dave (in a freezing U.K!)

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hey Dave Thank you. The deck levellers are great. I will keep them in mind for sure as I think they could be handy for other things. Its very rainy over here. Non stop! You will have to take a wonder through the hardware store when you come over to visit!

[@DCT_Aaron_Engineering]

Good job 👍. Love those screw jacks to keep the timber off the ground. Cheers 🍻. Aaron

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. The deck levellers are great. So easy and would be useful for lots of things!

[@bernelledore4744]

It seems such a long time between videos, so glad that you are still producing great entertaining content 👍

[@SmallFryCreations]

It was a little while. So many hold ups 😀 hopefully will have more content out soon 😀 thanks for stopping by

[@schinbeindrumco]

Amazing rage containment; good job. ;)

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂😂 just glad we got there in the end. Many times I thought it was going to be scrap metal 😀😂

[@davefolkard2148]

Hey Ainslee, i have to agree with you .... "not so Easy". Took on this task (same size shed) as part of expanding my handyman business. Glad to see it's not just me that is confused by the instructions (i have referred to these as "destructions" as you could easily destroy the purchase in the first hour). Not a one person job and not as easy as the animated vidoe's on the Easy Shed website. Nice job with the Deck and Shelving Accessories.

[@SmallFryCreations]

:) Yep totally agree with you. The shed is working great now that is up but what a mission. The reviews write themselves when you name your company Easy Shed 😂😂

[@livelifestyle2269]

Good work both of you...... definitely want to have this (but definitely not going to do it myself...... LOL)

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😀😂 Good plan. It can be done but it just ain't as easy as its made out to be

[@livelifestyle2269]

@@SmallFryCreations you make it look easy but I definitely don't have the skills and tools ..... what state are you guys from?

[@JohntheSchreiner]

It's always something with those pre-fab units isn't it...glad it worked out!

[@SmallFryCreations]

So true John. Always looks easy in the box then it is!

[@1Darkdog]

I bought the 3.7 x 2.25 metre model and started to assemble it via the instructions. Very poorly laid out and seriously, a shed assembled using the lightest bracketing and spouting teks was too flimsy for me to bear. Having my own engineering business, I manufactured a 30 x 30 SHS frame, used their sheeting and roll a door tracking and scrapped their flashing and brackets. Built SHS doors and made my own 2mm aluminium flashing. Like someone said below. "Next time I would build my own from scratch" I would too. The design I used enable me to built the unit as four complete sides and a two sectioned roof. Held together with 16 8mm bolts it took 30 minutes to assemble on site. And was still light enough for 2 people to carry.

[@Poundy]

Does anyone still, in 2022, say women can't do anything they want? How wrong they are... All power to you for showing how to just get it done !

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂😂 I would hope not. Very glas we could do it and its now all done :)

[@bertmcskeet]

Good Video, I just built the same one and pretty happy with it. I found that some of the trickier parts were way easier if i predrilled a pilot hole with a sharp/decent 3mm drill bit (especially where the screw needs to go through two of the steel channels). As noted in your video and instructions - having a second person is very helpful, and it is essential to find ways to have something on the other side of whatever you're trying to join to create pressue for the drill to push against..... But the real diamond of advice i got from this video, for which I am very grateful, is about those narrow little $20 shelves from bunnings that fit like an absolute glove on the side walls. Its like they were designed for these sheds. I cannot believe easyshed havent got a pallet of these to sell as an add on with the sheds.

[@SmallFryCreations]

HAHAH I agree. The shelves are perfect and holding up extremely well. Glad I could help and now that the shed is together I'm super happy with it and its working great.

[@anneshaw9681]

Is this video and honest presentation awesome. Won't be buying an Easy shed awsome

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. Glad to hear you enjoyed it

[@26tp]

Ooh, quick glimpse of the engineer.

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂 my favourite is when we move the shed and she keeps popping out saying “I think we have stuffed the shed” 😂 I wish I had the audio of the shed move!!

[@ericness9660]

I was trying to decide between buying or building a shed for my mower and gardening tools. Based on this video I think I will just build one from some plans (or at least avoid Easy Shed on the off chance they also sell here in Canada)

[@SmallFryCreations]

I here you. I'm glad its done now and its working out great but it was a mission to get it built. From the sounds of other comments its a common challenge with the metal sheds. Some companies do them where the holes are all pre drilled so that might be a little easier.

[@kyliemarshall9145]

The title of this video could be "EASY shed - not so easy to build". Love the rants and sharing the frustration

[@SmallFryCreations]

That’s a great idea!! I may just do that!! Thank you 😀

[@bensmith2021]

Omg she did it!! Great video

[@gregoo23]

Thanks for the very detailed video. I was wondering if and how you anchored the wooden /deck base to the concrete so that the shed is firmly secured to the ground?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. The deck is not achored to the concrete in anyway. The weight of everyting in the shed and the shed itselfs its not going anywhere.

[@jasonb202020]

Great vid, and awesome experience shared, me and the kids just built the exact same model; ***HOT TIP*** for anyone about to build one of these ... before you start, ditch the supplied self tapping screws, head to Bunnings, and grab a 100 pack of 10G x 16mm Buildex Metal Teks Hex Head with seal, the hex head paired with an impact driver will save a bunch of time and coins added to the swear jar :P .. oh and agreed - the build is not so easy, took us three days.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you! OOo Great suggestion on the screws!!

[@user-mw7gw1bu4x]

Hi Ainslee, great video. And kudus to complete it such smoothly. Could you please confirm what do you use to hang that snipper whipper at the back of the shed?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. The hooks for the whipper snipper came from Easy Shed. They had a bunch of different hooks to choose from. They are just the simple metal ones and they are working well.

[@erykfreethinker7147]

With muscle and laughter you and the Engineer could build anything you had a notion to :) Send a link to this video to EasyShed and offer your services as a build consultant! Really interesting process, thanks for uploading. Eryk

[@SmallFryCreations]

😀 thanks Eryk. Laughter does help everything!! Great idea to send to easy shed. Thanks for stopping by

[@richaagrawal7191]

Amazing video. How did you add a light inside the shed?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. It’s a solar light and I drilled a small hole at the back of the shed to run the cable for the solar panel on the roof. I got the light from Costco. Not sure if they still have them but it’s working great and super bright. Hope that helps 😀

[@andresyanguas]

Amazing video! Planning to do something similar. Would you recommend another brand instead of Easy Shed? Also, building this on the lawn, What do you reckon will work for flooring? Don't want to use concrete, What do you think about plastic pavers?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. I don’t know of another shed company and from what I hear since putting out the video the toughness of getting it together seems to be across all brands. I’m very happy with it now it’s done it was just a mission to get it up. Pavers could be ok my only worry would be you need to be able to secure the shed down as it has no floor and it very flimsy until you secure it down. Just wouldn’t want it blowing away. Hope this helps and happy building 😀

[@sumosprojects]

That fantastic Ainslee, how did it go with all the rain you’ve had ?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thanks Dirk!! I’m well and truly over the rain. Not flood where I am but would be nice to see the sun!!

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

I think that company doesn’t have quality control.But I loved the way you didn’t give up and got the job done. And it looks great thanks for sharing. Great to see you back

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. It was a mission but main thing is we got there in the end. Thanks for stopping by 😀

[@user-hh2bw5lw9m]

Well done to you and The Engineer, really really great video. I do have a couple questions if you have time to answer. First, I noted that a number of the screws ends (pointy ends) were visible on the inside of the shed. Is this normal? Seems strange that Easy Shed would design a shed with sharp pointy bits protruding inside the shed. Second, why did you choose to go with deck slats on the timber base instead of using exterior grade 18mm plywood sheets? Once again, great video, love your work...

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hey Thank you so much. I agree with the design and the screws coming through. I believe this is fairly standard on these types of sheds. No sure why thorugh. I went with deck slats so that if any water did happen to get in it would have somewhere to go and it was also cheaper then plywood. In saying that no water has gotten in so plywood probably would have been fine as well. Thanks for the kind comments and stopping by

[@samhenderson2947]

I've built 2 of those bloody sheds. hate hate them.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hahaha yeah I hear you. Glad I’m done and not sure if I would do it again.

[@tinkertable1977]

looks great. Just wondering as the frame is on feet to make sure the water flows beneath the floor, did you attach the shed to anything e.g fence to stop it moving in high winds?

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. I used some angle brackets and attached the frame to the deck but I didn’t attach it to the fence. Its is in a protected area so isn’t subject to high winds but you could attached to the fence absolutely to stop is going anywhere. 😀

[@lloydtgeorge]

Hey Ainslee, great build, just what I was looking for to DIY. Can you please tell me the specs of the timber used for the basement? Sorry, I’m a noob 🙁

[@SmallFryCreations]

Awesome. The frame is made from 70mmx35mm treated pine and the top is pine decking boards. Happy building 😀

[@tassie7325]

Looking at this and waiting for mine to arrive (hopefully before Christmas), do you think it is worth pre-drilling the screw holes?

[@SmallFryCreations]

It came with self tapping screws, no pre-drilling required. I was under the impression (could be wrong) you get a better weather tight seal without pre drilling.

[@tassie7325]

@@SmallFryCreations My shed finally arrived, delivered in a Thrifty rental truck, after a 6 week wait. The problem with self drilling screws is that they are not as sharp as a drill and have a tendency to wonder. This is a particular problem when drilling through two or three surfaces to be joined. Plus there is the problem with some of the sheets folding under pressure when its difficult to get some sort of bracing under the panels being screwed together,. Having started my construction I am using a combination of using the self drilling where possible but pre drilling in some of the more critical places. I'm not sure about the waterproof aspect. But I did find the process of attaching the braces by attaching from the inside, then removing the screws and attaching from the outside, to be very sketchy. I ended up using machine screws and nuts for this as I found the self drilling screws provided a very loose joint when screwed in the second time. All-in-all I have to say I am not impressed with the construction. I guess you get what you pay for and this shed is cheap and nasty.

[@FixitFingers]

and most importantly... more workshop space :P

[@SmallFryCreations]

Yes 100% so nice to have a little more room!!

[@BOC_Woodworking]

2:38 Hi. Currently building one of these from Easyshed. I've found the printed part numbers on the channels are easily removed with acetone. Turpentine and methylated spirits don’t work. Cheers.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hey oooo that’s a great tip!! I’m going to do that. Thank you for letting me know. 😀

[@rodneytrappel5396]

Hi mate Just a BIG tip , all garden sheds HAVE to be built to the length of the top & bottom strips that are connected with the joiner piece ,that are screwed to the sheets wether side,front,rear or roof ,if you don’t do this the shed will be oversized to the dimensions on the box, every shed I’ve built apart from pinnacle,the sheets have to overlapped more than normal & screwed to accommodate this problem ,if you you would like any other tips let me know , cheers

[@SmallFryCreations]

Ooo good tips. Mine where screwed to the length of the strips and to the instructions but god knows I could have done something wrong 😂Just glad it is now done and up and working well.

[@user-gr9ef5fv4t]

Hi. I got one of this shed and will attempt to assemble myself and a friend. What tools did you use to assemble? Was it just the screw driver or rivet gun as well? And I’m planning to do like you did with a deck as a base, the area also has a slope for water flow basically concrete apron and gravel area. You mentioned about window packer, noob question how did you use this? Thank you.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thats awesome. You really just need a drill. You won't be able to get the screws in without a drill. The screws are self tapping and just need some pressure on the back of the drill to get the screw to bite. The window packers can be purchased from bunnings and come in different thicknesses. They are used to shim areas in the deck if needed to bring things into level. They work really well and have no trouble with weather. They aren't 100% needed. Just handy to have it something is out of level. Hope this helps and happy building

[@user-gr9ef5fv4t]

@@SmallFryCreations thanks very much for replying. I will give it a try! :)

[@annie-centrepiecefurniture]

Looks great 😀 Easy Shed ? 😂

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂Thanks Annie. You would think if Easy is in the name they would make sure its was Easy!!!

[@richardcourt3042]

I would be worried installing a shed in close proximity to the front of an air conditioning unit as, from experience, this can dramatically reduce the cooling efficiency of your unit. Our air-conditioner was installed about 900mm away from a colour bond fence rendering it virtually useless. We had to have the unit relocated to a more open position to allow for more efficient ventilation. Then it worked perfectly. I only mentioned this because in this video they appear to have fallen for this trap. Hope this helps someone. Regards.😊 Richard Court.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Fair feedback and may be a problem dependig on the air con. We have had the shed in place now for a year and haven't expereinced any issues. We were told by our air con company that if it did become a problem you could purchase attachments for the front of the unit that will redirect the air. We are yet to have any problems

[@Mattzz88]

Helped my brother in law put together an "Easy Shed" big shed last week - it is in no way easy and took 2 days. I would not recommend these sheds to anyone. It would have been better if they came with all of the U channels already connected (except on the longer pieces) and better instructions

[@robertgarland9342]

Instruction Manual or Self destruction Manual. You can take you pick on that one when it comes to putting these tin sheds together. We done on putting it together with instructions that might be written in English but may as well have been written in Japanese.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hahah so true!! Leave a lot up to the imagination. Just glad it is done and now very happen and big plus is I have more room in the workshop 😀 thanks for stopping by

[@user-ks8hd6ov7z]

I want to do something similar on my 9th floor courtyard, but worried about wind. How heavy was your frame?

[@SmallFryCreations]

The shed itself is very light as its only thin metal. It gets it strength from being attached to the decking. I would talk to the shed company about what they suggest and if it would stand up to the wind.

[@user-ks8hd6ov7z]

@@SmallFryCreations Yeah the shed itself will cope with the wind, it's the wind picking it up and moving it in a storm. I was thinking maybe heavy sleepers as the frame, that's a fair bit of a weight. And then big storms some tie downstraps

[@SmallFryCreations]

@@user-ks8hd6ov7z Mine is on a deck with just some small angle brackets. The deck itself it not bolted to the conrete and has never moved. Also if its on a deck similar to mine and then heavy stuff in it I can't image it going anywhere. Mine is up againist a fence and not in a windy area so hard to 100%

[@user-ks8hd6ov7z]

@@SmallFryCreations Thanks, great work

[@PatrickGuerrisi]

Hi what colour is this shed? Monument?

[@SmallFryCreations]

From memory I think they called our colour slate grey

[@tassie7325]

How did you go with your delivery? The reason I ask is that I recently order a shed from them on 9 Oct. They informed me that they prepared it and handed it over to the freight company on 10 Oct. It is now 7 Nov (almost a month later) and still no sign of the shed. On the tracking website provided it sat in the Albury warehouse until 6 Nov when it started its move to Melbourne. Today (7 Nov), its still on that 4 hour road trip according to the tracker. After waiting this long I am not going to be a happy chappy if their are parts missing like yours.

[@SmallFryCreations]

I hear ya for. Delivery was fine first go around. The spare parts took a little while to arrive but eventually did. I would worry to much about pre drilling only because you pre drill in the wrong spot you can’t patch it being metal. Hopefully it arrives soon and you can get to building!!

[@tassie7325]

@@SmallFryCreations Thanks

[@downunderdave5417]

If you guys want some shelving melamine shout out Lots of wasted space there D

[@barryroberts6470]

Considering parts were missing, the wrong instructions were packed i don't think the cost of it was worth all that hassle, i don't think this company were very good, but you both did a cracking job. Both me and my wife put together a metal shed for bikes well some tools as well, trouble with ours was that it was freezing cold you had two pairs of gloves on and i had to take mine off to put these diddy fiddly bolts together to hold the whole shed together, my wife was laughing her head of until she had to give me a hand and take her gloves off ha ha ha. Well done again. Barry (ENG)

[@SmallFryCreations]

Hahahaha that’s gold!! Oh the cold would add a whole other lay of challenge. I’m happy now it’s done but if they improved there instructions and measurements were right it would be a great DIY product but at this stage I would not say it’s beginner DIY friendly. Thanks for stopping by Barry!!

[@julianwhitta1114]

Congrats to you and The Engineer. Epic work overcoming adversity imposed by crappy quality control/instructions/dimensional accuracy. Definitely NOT a good advert for EasyShed. Hopefully, they’ll take a few lessons away from this and up their game. Also, genuinely skilful editing - not a single bit of swearing made it into the finished vid. 😉

[@SmallFryCreations]

😂😂 thank you. Very happy to be done. So true about the swearing!! Had to leave some bits out 😂thanks for stopping by

[@user-cm1ts7gw4e]

I’m researching sheds and yours is the second vid with issues using this brand Thanks for the heads up .. I’ll avoid this brand 🎉

[@jamesparker8317]

You have done well. Those kit sheds are not very easy to assemble, I've done 4 or 5 and I think my next shed I'm going to build from scratch.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. I agree a from scratch build would be easy then these packs. Very happy now it’s done!!! Thanks for stopping by

[@1Darkdog]

Im hearing you Brother. I wished I had of built mine from scratch too.

[@katemac7175]

Oof I feel your pain. I just put one of these together and it very nearly killed me. It turned out okay EVENTUALLY but there is no universe in which this was an "easy five step build"!

[@SmallFryCreations]

Right!! If a company is going to put easy in the name they better be sure it’s easy!!! Glad I have it now but man the mission!!!

[@billofalltrades2633]

Awesome! Sorry you had ao many issues, seem everything these days are just not as well made. I gre up in the 70s and 80s, instructions and building materials were far superior. I have a Chinese mini metal lathe and am having a hard time finding drive belts for it no mention of them in the 4 page manual . No numbers on the belt.

[@SmallFryCreations]

I agree. Just not built like the old days!! Glad it’s together now but felt like a mission to get to this point

[@bmmarshall79]

Haha funny that. I got the wrong instructions and no hardware fittings or screws.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Seems to be a common issue. The shed is working awesome now that its all together and I haven't had any issues since construction. Is just a mission to get it finished

[@LAIZY_TM]

Great video, i would never buy from easy shed - send a shed with missing parts, incorrect instructions, no pilot holes, difficult to build...

[@SmallFryCreations]

Thank you. Yes wasn't the easiest to build thats for sure. Its working great now its all together but a mission to get it done.

[@dickwilliam3793]

wow $1000, that's expensive, absco are half that price and the holes are all pre drilled.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Same shedsize on the bunnings website is $839 and the doors open not slide which doesn't work for our space. The $1000 also included skylights and acceriors for the inside. Lots of options out there just gotta pick what is best for you

[@herenorthere5352]

Just putting one together now. Such a shit product with even worse instructions

[@michellelam2508]

Very very very difficult to assemble, don’t buy this brand

[@SmallFryCreations]

Do agree very hard to build. Its working fantastic now that its built but it was a struggle!

[@zaibatiedongxi]

how dare you call this easy shed if takes 2 people to build. scam.

[@SmallFryCreations]

Easy shed is the brand of shed. But is not super easy to build.