How to Build a Shed Foundation

Learn how to build a level shed floor foundation that's sturdy and protected from moisture. Get detailed shed foundation plans here: low.es/1UjZ7Rs
Difficulty Level: Moderate: Make sure you check local building codes. If you are not 100% confident building a shed foundation, Lowe's recommends that you hire a professional. Call 1-877-GO-LOWES or visit low.es/34j1jzK to learn more about installation services through Lowe’s.
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[@frbrable]

The way they set the wood posts directly in concrete looks convenient, neat, and easy to do. But what happens in 5 years when they've rotted through due to constant contact with moisture (yes, this happens even to treated timbers)? Then you have to figure out a new way to support your shed.

[@boots7859]

This is sort of dumb. Run the sono-tubes to the same level and add anchor bolts to the top of the pier and avoid the 4x4 post completely.

[@kylevandyke840]

A simple solution would be to fill the hole completely to the top of the hole and then some extra. Then crown the concrete at the base of the post. #boom

[@Reudze]

@@kylevandyke840 You can also put pitch on the 4x4 that goes underground

[@tororenovationsltd4978]

Just wrap them with DPC membrane

[@lot5953]

That is what I thought too. They shouldn't let wood touch dirt but I'm not a handyman and never build anything before

[@boots7859]

You need the gravel, you don't need the 4x4. Just run your sonotubes to the same height above ground, and drop in a cheap steel concrete anchor on top after filling. No wood to decay. And if you spend a couple bucks more per anchor, you can get the ones that allow you to level with a wrench if you ever need to.

[@almercraft488]

You are the best at showing,the how to do it yourself projects. Thank you 🙏

[@Blupa.]

Loving how the upright was moving at 2.07 when he was hammering the nails in 😂

[@hanswiegand6498]

Andy Peel came just for this comment

[@proudmo4161]

This was great, I have been researching "what's the best base for a garden shed?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Damkietor Nonpareil Dominion - (do a search on google ) ? It is a great exclusive guide for building better sheds and woodworking without the hard work. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my friend got amazing success with it.

[@douglasgoldstein8990]

Tip: Use screws instead of nails. It will last longer and won't squeak, ever.

[@TJ-fe7rr]

Don't screws snap, especially on windy days. I think that's why most use nails

[@douglasgoldstein8990]

@@TJ-fe7rr I've never had one snap in any portion of framing a structure...joists, subfloor, walls, roofing, everything. I would think even if 1 did snap, you'd never know because the others stay in place, and having multiple snap is just a statistical non probability. Nails however, once they work out a little, they can keep working out farther as time goes by, which sucks for floors.

[@TJ-fe7rr]

@@douglasgoldstein8990 thanks for telling me

[@anthonywright5981]

Just use some grk and no problem there

[@nukestrom5719]

You have to use nails. That's the code. 2 nails for 2x4, 3 for 2x6 and so on. Anything structural should go with nails not screws.

[@68bellamia]

Your Site is AMAZING! Covers EVERYTHING!! Thank You

[@derrickwatkins3946]

Great video. Funny how even in a Lowes commercial they can't find a non-warped piece of plywood. But on a serious note, very informative

[@mfst100]

1:47 As far as I heard recently the wood should not have contact with a concrete, because the wood will get moist and rotten due to the capillary action of the concrete.

[@ericzenzel7447]

Truth. I think as far as a small shed is concerned just build it on concrete blocks above ground and level as needed if needed. If people over think things nothing would ever get done. It’s a shed.

[@mindfulmagician7550]

@@ericzenzel7447 but what about winter time and would the ground become unlevel over time?

[@reaper-sz5tm]

@@mindfulmagician7550even if the ground became unlevel you can shim concrete blocks easily

[@kylevandyke840]

Maybe you should do a tutorial on how to use the two man auger. Better yet watch one for yourselves. It is not as easy as it looks in the video and people might think “hell I can do that” but end up injured.

[@MinecraftPro97k]

Build a house with these instructions

[@shelbyshinkle4060]

Shepherd Wolf VGCPE, UTTPH & AKKTK and

[@lrlapua8035]

build a house like this video and it won't be long until you realize you can't under it to work.....lol...

[@marlinbundo2409]

Some parts of shed construction are very similar to home construction. Home construction just has like 4 times as many steps because you need it air-tight, plumbing and ducting and electrical accommodations, drywall, etc.

[@Coicker12]

Special triangles finally being put to use

[@demis4228]

Nice video! I built a shed foundation over the weekend and attached the flooring only to find out that it is not square by 2 inches. Is life over?

[@wvusmc]

Suppose all that matters is that there is proper amount of support for your structure. Once your shed is sitting on top who will really notice imperfections of the foundation? This is my professional amateur opinion.

[@r8wells]

wvusmc learn to read. The floor is not square by 2 inches

[@Robertgregormcgregor]

Do you mean square on the horizontal or square on the vertical?

[@escapetherace1943]

@@wvusmc if your structure is off by a whole 2 inches you aren't going to be able to build supports unless every single measured rafter and every 2x4 holding up your walls are cut at different lengths 🤣

[@haydenbraxton8095]

watching this in 2020, it hurts to watch him cut off all of that pressure-treated 4x4.

[@louieBlaster]

Am from the future. Wood prices are better, but we are also on the verge of a nuclear war. Anywho, good talking.

[@InfamousKiddXD]

Watching in 2024 hurts twice as much now

[@freedombro6502]

Looks like a nice 2' cut off 😮

[@Raeannpowell]

Pressure treated 4x4x8s are only 10. It’s really not that much waste

[@mesa620]

@@Raeannpowellit was a lot of wasted money in 2020 and 2021.

[@JerrySelbher]

FYI many DYI's simply strip sod and place the skids right on the soil. I don't think bearing capacity is a problem and they're willing to live with a little freeze thaw heave.

[@junioracosta2481]

Jerry Selbher as😈à😴s¿,zz.z.1?aqp

[@666dynomax]

FYI many people do all kinds of things that "work" but doesn't mean they are right. You don't sound like a carpenter talking like this.

[@foxmoulder7724]

Bold of you to assume those 4x4 posts won't rot in the years to come. Best to avoid that method all together imo

[@nipzilla]

Those holes were dug with an gas powered post hole digger/auger; not with a hand-held post hole digger as shown in the video.

[@2awesome292]

With the frost line depth here, I mind as well build a basement for my shed lol

[@kiiiburn]

Right...My frost line per code is 48". That is insane if I have to go 12" below that! 5" plus clearance on top? That doesn't even sound sensible.

[@stubby1122]

If you don't want your shed slowly ripped apart by frost heave, you'll go below the frost line. The only thing you can do is you don't want to dig so deep is pour a concrete floating slab. It'll still move with frost heave but it will move the building with it and not destroy it. Either way you are going to be digging.

[@bbqseitan7106]

@@kiiiburn your whole post is gonna be in the ground lol

[@javillanueva67]

Common mistake: Posts shouldn't be directly in holes. Should be on top of pillars. Direct contact with environment eventually cause roten and decay.

[@HsingSun]

Agree!

[@smokeycanuck8058]

Yep - it's exactly why a few of my fence posts need replacement this spring.

[@madam472]

So after you make the foundation is it ok to add gravel underneath animals like ground hog from making a home

[@flavrdPnut]

Did they discuss what kind of wood or how to keep it all from rotting… like the ply wood?

[@randallrigdon2890]

In Florida you have to 15 feet away from fence

[@GUARDIAN702]

Why doesn't lowes have that kind of pressure treated lumber in Las Vegas?

[@REALDISCOVERIES.]

WHY would you concrete posts into the ground as the main foundations, without treating them with a water proofer or fence post sleeves? They will simply ROT in 5 to 10 years.

[@BraxtlyTools]

Back to basics... Thanks for sharing! Emmy Braxtly

[@samfrancisco8095]

Put concrete above grade. Won't have to deal with rot caused by the dirt.

[@drunkman12345]

Wouldn't it be better if you didn't put that first layer of concrete over the stone you compact at the bottom of the hole? I would think that when you surround the post at the bottom with more concrete, the bottom of the post would be all but sealed in concrete. Directly onto the compacted stone seems more logical for drainage.

[@666dynomax]

might be cheaper to pour a concrete pad.

[@lashawnknowles2491]

I like your reply but honestly you just got to get rid of the wood you can even use a 6x6 concrete castings and make pretty much rounded4x4s off the footings

[@hkinniable]

Hi, what's the dimension of the shed base?

[@johndeneen980]

Fantastic job! Super clear and easy!

[@cemcgre]

Of course Lowe's would include the most amount of stuff to buy in their instructional video. "Don't forget the gravel, or the post hole digger, and the brackets, and the kobalt gloves, and the guy standing out front with his tool belt and a lunch box slap full of cervezas."

[@Jazzilaladi]

Hahaha

[@thecampercook]

Where can I buy the guy standing out front with his tool belt?

[@Kathayne636]

Well, of course. They are producing a video that you can watch for free, they want some kind of return or there would be no point for them.

[@Sam-te8hm]

What a miserable bastard. I guess Chris works for free.

[@jasonconcept]

It's almost like they are in business to make money...

[@jodyknight7987]

Why the overhang? Airflow?

[@dachr2]

Informative, short and concise, thanks!

[@55tumbler]

and stupid

[@nicholasfield6127]

I just got railroad ties and put my shed on those 🤷 works lol

[@williamjames9041]

great

[@kylemaurice4012]

My goodness its a shed, complete overkill lol. I built my shed frame on pressure treated 4 x 4s on 6 patio stones, done.

[@nourdineohamo7926]

good job

[@55tumbler]

no not a good job

[@mdh.3421]

Those buried post will rot, the pressure treated lumber we have today is not what we had 20yrs ago

[@nickgn3952]

MD Harris k

[@55tumbler]

yes and a waste of money

[@timtong1066]

They don't want the post to last too long. They're in the business of selling post..

[@marcusjennings7616]

MD Harris I would use 8in ceder post or trees

[@basanistes359]

MD Harris Yeah, just use cinder blocks. Thats what I did and it works perfect. Had a shed built 30 years ago on cinders with no issues.

[@SOUTHSIDESLIDERZZ]

Beauty

[@hugomoreno1361]

Very good

[@digvijaykumar7118]

+Hugo Moreno I'm going to show you exactly how to start building wooden sheds and woodwork projects easily, so that you're fully up and running, creating remarkable outdoor garden sheds and woodwork projects for your loved ones within days from now. Click here ==> myshedplans-new1.blogspot.com/

[@cherichardson8741]

+Hugo Moreno *The secret is in following proven shed plans, step by step guides and detailed blueprints. This is closest thing to hiring a full time 24/7 carpenter working on your projects that you'll ever find..* Go here => www.shedplans-new.tumblr.com

[@55tumbler]

very bad

[@andreaarellano4999]

the best part

[@hey_joe7069]

That was F'n beautiful!

[@55tumbler]

no awfu;l simply awful poor craftsmanship

[@marlonsitoprunita7436]

This is glorious, I have been researching "how do you prepare a base for a shed?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Damkietor Nonpareil Dominion - (search on google ) ? It is an awesome one of a kind guide for building better sheds and woodworking minus the hard work. Ive heard some awesome things about it and my m8 got cool success with it.

[@jonnavalley5471]

Winner of a video, I have been researching "how much does it cost to build a 16x16 shed?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Damkietor Nonpareil Dominion - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? It is an awesome exclusive product for building better sheds and woodworking minus the hard work. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my mate got excellent results with it.

[@baydrixnewzealandwarrobotf2681]

0:44 How long is five feet exactly? 😅

[@kirtansingh3462]

Great

[@mesmith7836]

Kirtan Singh up

[@HsingSun]

If you installed 4x4 wood post and secured with concrete cement, will it be deteriorated in the near future?

[@arthurjohnston3973]

Yes. Wood may rot.

[@RayJmond]

Should the plywood flooring be pressure treated?

[@stubby1122]

Yes

[@mattytripps]

Aren't those wood post just gonna rot in the concrete?

[@PhillipYewTree]

Wooden posts in the ground rot away. There are better options.

[@lee91103]

no need for a vapor barrier under the shed ?....didn't look like pressure treated plywood

[@lowes]

lee91103 it was treated lumber, you can find full step-by-step details here: low.es/1UjZ7Rs . If you have air flow under the shed a vapor barrier shouldn't be necessary. Thanks for watching.

[@sajidullah]

and used 2X4 instead of 2X6

[@DeerFarm18]

Do you have an estimate on how much it cost you to build that. I know it will be different but so I can get an idea?

[@Icutmetal]

No.

[@bryce7285]

Concrete on wood. Garauntee to rot. Great start.

[@carter102]

That'd be a $5000 shed with todays lumber prices

[@Photologistic]

In this time, a 2x4 has dropped in price from $9 down to $3.

[@HomesteadDNA]

@@Photologistic Good deal, ours are still closer to 4.50. But I remember 1.80. Those were the days a whopping 2 years ago.. lol

[@katwoman5413]

I wanted to learn this when I was young. My school did not teach me how to build stuff, how to work on cars, and how to find a handyman to marry.

[@dustymojave]

Didn't teach anyone how to do these things. Gotta get out in the world and learn them on your own.

[@haydengooding5124]

Those post holes were not dug by hand lol

[@anthonyjrrizzo3677]

01+Maureen Vargas74

[@ylsemza7623]

I've been studying building sheds and discovered an awesome resource at Adota blueprint pack (google it if you're interested)

[@JuanEscobar-hq2sk]

arrow storage shed 10×8 isntallation

[@raystargazer]

Certainly not in CT. We don't buy a lot of post hole diggers. lol.

[@bringtheshinecardetailing6730]

building a 14x40 garage shed and looking to find out what concrete is used for the footers

[@lrlapua8035]

standard concrete, nothing special....

[@T1Oracle]

I thought I could do this myself, I don't have to time to learn building codes. And my wife wants a tree house too? Why did she marry a computer geek again?

[@brannoninhd2249]

im a computer geek too, but I am building a shed. If I can do it, you can too! lol

[@robertesposito9871]

T1Oracle google it

[@jeanluisindriagolugo232]

Just wonderful, I have been researching "what materials do i need to build a 12x12 shed?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Damkietor Nonpareil Dominion - (do a search on google ) ? It is a smashing one of a kind product for building better sheds and woodworking minus the hard work. Ive heard some decent things about it and my mate got great success with it.

[@colour2690]

Winner of a video, I have been researching "how do you lay a foundation for a shed?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Damkietor Nonpareil Dominion - (just google it ) ? It is an awesome exclusive product for building better sheds and woodworking minus the normal expense. Ive heard some decent things about it and my mate got cool results with it.

[@elizabetholiviaclark]

@@colour2690 Your comment is fairly identical to the one above it. What should that tell me?

[@harryfandakis2339]

Wrong !!! we don't put plywood flush to the edges ... we recess it below the outside timber frame !!! (from a structural Engineer !) This will protect the plywood, while the outside timber frame should be moisture resistant!!!

[@hollahabibi1897]

Our frost line is 42 inches. So we have to go the extra mile.

[@kyrosavcic7382]

Bro what r u doing use stirrups into concrete footing dont directly concrete the wood its gonna rot from mositure

[@DOPAMEEN_562]

HE PUT that one THING BACKWARDS UP! He then Dropped the Rop!

[@Icutmetal]

Huh?

[@DarthBludgeon]

I like "build the frame according to the instructions..." I thought this was supposed to be the instructions?

[@MichaelSmith-kz9tc]

Building the frame is easy. Setting up runners is sometimes the challenging part.

[@Spnart]

This seems overkill for a shed.

[@DARKMADNESS666]

That’s because it is.

[@jaramywarren6192]

Y'all make it sound so difficult all you need is 200 nails. 6 steel metal brackets. 6 4by4s. 5 sheets of tin sideing. 6 wood pallets made of pressure treated wood. 5 8by10 3inch thick pressure treated plywood boards. 1 10by10 3inch thick pressure treated plywood board and you can make a perfect shad all under $80

[@requiem4adream19861]

That sounds Iike a hell of a bargain build. What dimensions did you use? I need to build one ASAP

[@boots7859]

A sheet of plywood is $30-40, and 6 will get you a 4' x 4' x 8' shed.

[@jaramywarren6192]

I pay 8 dollers for a 8by10 plywood sheet

[@kwametwumasi8543]

Why did you leave the overhang

[@XDONmanX]

too much excitement going on felt like a disco

[@cryo_life]

that shed is my gaming setup

[@dolller1478]

Guys I found a website on which more then 12000 sheds plans available I am learning so much on their. the website is www.fb.com/BuildingShed/?sk=app_337680106275807 all you guys should try it

[@adrianphilip3008]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt?????????????????

[@Desiree69420]

no u

[@davidr9972]

wtf you everywhere

[@JanetWilham]

you left out a very important part==waterproofing from moisture under the floor.

[@20cashdotxyz76]

@James Graul I got some great shed plans here if you're interested: ShedPlans.xyz

[@UncleSarkis]

What's the best way to do that?

[@walterfullerton612]

WHAT KEEPS IT FROM BLOWING AWAY?????

[@TheAmygdaloidfan]

it weighs a lot...

[@Icutmetal]

All the question marks anchor it into the ground.

[@FlyingAboveTheRest]

I wish they could show us a foundation that won't allow any animals or creatures under the sheds. Something much more simple please?

[@nicholasfield6127]

If you put it too close to the ground it will rot. You're supposed to lift it up high enough where critters won't want to stay under there because it's not sheltered enough. That's like what you're supposed to do. But then you'd have your shed like two feet in the air lol

[@Goodnewsglobal]

Very fast video.. slow down please...

[@666dynomax]

those are kind of 16" centre, but not the way I would frame a wall 16" centre. going to run in to problems when decking

[@55tumbler]

yes

[@codeblack1293]

Post Malone

[@user-bm4qt1bf2k]

no adds

[@garrettfincannon5442]

Could you build a house on this?

[@lowes]

You'd need to check your local codes on that one. Tiny house, maybe :)

[@cooker4409]

lowe's is right......you could......a tiny house for sure......but check the local building codes......some are 120, 200 and some 240 to 300 sq. ft....some cities consider it temporary, if it's not on a foundation, and as long as you're under the max sq. ft. for the area, and hook no utilities, (i.e., a shed, carport, extra garage), they can't do much....some places, if you pour an 8 x 8 or 10 x 12 slab, even for a garden shed, or a greenhouse, they consider it permanent, and then you fall under code rules, even if no utilities are hooked to it.....just check the codes for your area.....where I'm at, a three sided, dirt floor carport is legal, but not one with a concrete slab, even though it only has three sides, is only legal with a permit....

[@MrJoda588]

I was told yesterday by a lowes representative, when they come to install the shed, they don't do anything to the floor. What about my foundation. and why is it so expensive for them to paint the shed?

[@snakeknife7518]

Exactly about the painting I was just at depot and one of the display sheds says to have them paint it would cost $335.

[@Marylmac]

@@snakeknife7518 Insurance, for workers, travel, equipment hire, labour etc. Hire a kid next door for 10 bucks and do it yourself together.

[@jasongrady8590]

Ahh, look at all that spam below.

[@CurtisDensmore1]

The music is annoying. It needs to be janglier.

[@davidtodd2104]

Don’t follow these guidelines. You can do the same thing all with concrete without the need for submerged posts. In fact, it’s actually way easier and will last a lifetime.

[@viking6535]

I watching tutorials that has music playing in the background.

[@robertjackson4121]

Mother in law ADU no lights plumbing insulation screens ant Hill and termites. Mosquitos

[@eliasabelruiz1068]

Oil

[@dustymojave]

This video is about a shed. Not a house.

[@53muse]

this is not how they built my foundation to my she on 6/6/18!!! They used leveling blocks.

[@enrique967]

What part of the country do you live?

[@mdrunnels36]

better off that way

[@scor440]

Concrete duh 😹

[@55tumbler]

duh??????

[@clintturland7955]

This is a recipe for rats, skunks, ground hogs.. You should always make a concrete footer and slab, check your building codes, in Michigan This is illegal....

[@lrlapua8035]

building any building like this you cannot get under to work is stupid....

[@dustymojave]

For a shed, you don't need to work under it. No plumbing or any thing else to work on. Rot will work on those wood posts with dirt against their sides though.

[@MrJoda588]

2100k shed DIY, 2800k for professional installation, extra 600.0 for paint.. painting yourself would cost 1/10 of that price

[@georgesnyder5337]

2.1M buys a lot of shed

[@seeavliopena5809]

Employees of this store are net buildeble l do not buy more na

[@DARKMADNESS666]

Thats one weak ass floor. You can just hear the creaking that floor will make in a couple of years. and NOBODY likes creaky floors

[@dingo4229]

its a shed lmao

[@Paultimate7]

Why the hell are you using screws to secure the frame? How stupid.

[@dustymojave]

Screws don't work loose as bad or as quick as nails and you can (should) use coated decking screws.

[@Janet-vs6xw]

BRACKETS ARE FOR WIMPS THEY RUST AND DONT LAST

[@Janet-vs6xw]

THIS IS NOT NECESSARY AND COST MORE $$