Frequently Asked Questions
What makes your sheds and studios different?
Many things make our sheds and studios different, and by different we mean stronger and more durable.
- Our sheds and studios are built with 2x4 construction of 16 inch centers. Most kit sheds from the big box home supply stores use 2x3 or worse only 24 inch centers.
- Our sheds and studios use 1/3" or 3/8" plywood sheathing and are completely shielded from rats, mice and other rodents. Most kit sheds don't have any sheathing; they have siding right on top of the framing. Without sheathing the building is not as structurally sound and cannot be properly sealed against rats, mice, insects and other pests.
- Our sheds and studios use exterior grade doors and windows. Most kit sheds don't. Only exterior grade doors and windows will keep rats and mice out of your shed. The hand built doors found in kit sheds do not seal well enough and will warp over time allowing mice and other pests to enter the shed.
- Our sheds and studios all have roof over hangs of over one foot on all four sides. This keeps more water off the siding and like your home, helps your siding to last a lot longer. More importantly, proper roof overhangs prevent water from entering at the tops of windows and doors. Many other sheds and studios don’t have roof overhangs on all four walls leaving those walls vulnerable to water damage.
- The building envelope on our sheds and studios is sealed, similar to the one on your home. Most sheds don't have much of a building envelope and often don't even use building paper or a membrane. A properly sealed building envelope keeps all the water out of the walls and makes all the difference in terms of a shed or studio’s lifespan.
- Our sheds and studios are built on proper concrete foundations or are raised off the ground on pressure treated 6x6 skids. This prevents premature rotting which can lead to structural failure of your floor-joist assembly.
- Our sheds and studios are screened to keep insects out. This means our sheds have screening in the ridge caps and soffits. Many kit sheds just let the insects in.
- Our sheds and studios, due to the fact that they are constructed like a home, can be insulated, heated, and the inside can be finished like a room in your home. This is why we are the leading provider of studio and office sheds in Richmond and the surrounding areas.
- Our sheds and studios are custom built to be stylish and to fit perfectly into your backyard. They are meant to add to your landscaping and to be an attractive focal point or feature in your backyard.
Our sheds are built like a home, to last like a home, so you can use them for the same things that you would use a room in your home for. (There are some exceptions, of course!)
I am looking to have a custom shed or studio built. How customized can we get?
Since our parent company is a design build renovations company, we can design and build whatever you want.
Please bear in mind that custom sheds and studios cost more than standard ones. However, as we want to encourage creativity, we try to minimize the additional cost of custom sheds and studios as much as possible.
WHAT RULES DO MUNICIPALITIES HAVE REGARDING SHEDS? DO I NEED A PERMIT
Yes, no, and maybe. This question has so many different factors that we have given it its very own page.
I want to build a shed or studio bigger than 107.5 sq feet. Am I wasting my money?
That depends. If you are building a shed for storage you might be better off keeping it under 107.5 sq feet. However, if you are building a studio to use as an office, workspace or creative studio space then it will probably be worth every single penny you spend.
Building a shed, studio, or garage with a permit will still be far cheaper than adding an addition to your home or paying for rental space somewhere else. We have done the math and a $17000 dollar 9x12 (107.5 sq) shed costs the same as the rental of a 100 square foot storage locker for 4 years at today's rates ($349 x 36 months = $16800).
How long will it take to build my shed or studio?
Depending on the design and options that you select for your shed or studio, it will take between 1 and 2 weeks for us to build you a shed and between 2 and 4 weeks for a studio. Our more standard sheds are built in 4-5 days.
Can I run electricity or water to my shed?
Yes, but in both cases an electricity and/or water permit will be required. We have built sheds with electricity and it has never been very difficult or problematic to attain these types of permits. Water for a sink can be more difficult because the city in question will require that the drain for the sink be connected to the city sewer. If the city sewer line connection to your house goes through your backyard then it may not be too difficult or expensive to install a water line.
It looks like most of your sheds and studios have metal roofs. Do you have other options?
Yes, we certainly have other options. We prefer metal roofing because of its durability. We also feel it adds character and uniqueness to a shed. The sound of rain falling on a metal roof is loved around the world. However, we can also use asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, or tile on your shed roof so it will match the roof on your house. Similarly, the sides of your shed can crafted in a siding or stucco color that matches your existing home.
