Prefab Sheds vs. Custom Sheds: Which Is Best for You?

Thinking about adding storage or another living area to your backyard? Storage sheds provide ideal solutions to your needs, but you’ll need to decide whether to opt for a prefab or custom-built model. Before you make your choice, compare these options to make an informed decision that will best meet your specific needs.

When You May Want to Choose a Prefab Storage Shed

Many people who need utility buildings may opt for a prefab shed. These options cut the waiting time because they are already built and only require delivery and installation of a foundation on your lot.

The biggest benefit of choosing a prefab shed is the price. These tend to cost less than custom sheds. However, you must understand that over time, a prefab shed may cost you more, depending on how long you want to keep your utility building. Prefab sheds can last for 20 years. While this sounds great, it is not nearly as long of a life as you’ll get from a custom-built storage shed.

Additionally, the biggest concern when ordering a prefab storage building is getting the structure into place on your lot. It must travel from the dealer to your home. On the way, it sits on the back of a truck where highway speeds generate storm-force winds that can buffet the structure and wear it down even before it reaches your home. You will also need to have space to get the shed from the delivery truck to your designated spot. Depending on your lot layout, this may not be very easy.

While prefab sheds have some drawbacks, they are popular. You may want a prefab shed if you:

• Need something in place quickly.
• Have a tight budget.
• Don’t have particular design needs.
• Require a smaller shed.

A prefab utility building plays a part in the lot plans of many people, but it is not the best option for everyone. If you have more specific needs, you should consider a custom shed.

If you are looking for a shed at a great price point that is already built, check out our selection of lot models.

When a Custom Storage Shed Is a Better Choice

While some people opt for the convenience of prefab storage sheds, you shouldn’t discount customized sheds. Because builders construct the shed on your site from the foundation up to the roof, you have complete control over everything used in their design and construction. With a prefab, you have to live with the choices of a company for the appearance of a shed for as long as the structure lasts. However, by designing your own storage shed, you get to pick the color, design, and overall style to fit your preferences and the style of your home and lot.

Since utility buildings can last for decades, you will want to make sure that you can get the most out of your investment. By customizing the shed to your specifics, you never need to compromise on the features you want.

Another perk of custom-designed storage sheds is the high level of construction work used for them. For instance, built-on-site buildings use the same long-lasting materials and building conventions used in home construction and carry similar warranties. High-quality materials such as Owens Corning algae-resistant shingles with a 25-year warranty and premium  LP SmartSide siding with a 5/50 year guarantee ,which is also Residential Grade siding.

Thanks to the high-quality construction materials used in custom-built storage sheds, those buildings can potentially last up to 50 years or more. So, even if the initial cost of a customized option is higher than a prefab unit, you’ll spend less per year over the life of the shed.

Custom-built sheds are the better option over prefab if you:

• Have specific size, design, or application needs.
• Need a longer-lasting, more durable investment, built by licensed and insured builders.
• Prefer a built-on-site option over having a prefab shed potentially damaged en route to your home.
• Want to add a porch or other upgrades not found on prefab shed models?
• Must meet homeowners’ association (HOA) design requirements for all structures on your lot.
• Don’t have the space for crews to maneuver a prefab shed into place on your lot.
• Have the desire to improve your lot’s curb appeal with a shed that matches your home.

Customized storage sheds give you more freedom to select every aspect of the building, from the ground to the roof. Choosing this type of storage building gives you total control over your investment, ensuring you’ll enjoy it for years to come.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Your Shed

When choosing a shed for your yard, you will need to make multiple decisions that impact whether a prefab or custom shed works best for you. The following questions can help you to get the right shed:

• What will I use the shed for?
• How much do I have to spend on a shed, and can I finance my utility building to stretch my budget?
• Does my HOA have restrictions on buildings on my property? How can I find a shed that meets those?
• Do I want the shed to have a porch or other custom features?
• How much space do I have?
• Do I have room to get a prefab shed onto my lot, or do I need a built-on-site option?
• Do I need extra storage in a loft area?
• Should the color and design of the shed match my house?
• What type of roof do I want for the shed?

Note the answers to these questions because you will need them when you speak to a storage shed provider to get a utility building that meets your needs.

Contact Barnyard Utility Buildings to Find Out More About Your Storage Shed Options

Partner with us at Barnyard Utility Buildings to find a custom or pre built storage shed, or have our experts create your custom storage shed from the ground up. With locations across North Carolina and South Carolina, you live closer to a Barnyard Utility Buildings site than you think. Contact us today to learn more about our various storage shed options and how we can help you get the perfect utility building for your yard.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!