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Any Carpenters/Contractors here, willing to give advice?

huberm

Golden Member
I am currently trying to plan a project to build a shed on an existing concrete slab. The slab is in decent shape, though there are a few cracks and it appears the one side sits slightly higher than the rest of it (approx 1/2-1" higher).

I have a few questions about this:

1. Can I still use this slab, even though it is slighty higher on the one side? It would be much easier and cheaper to use the existing slab, otherwise I would have to tear it out and make a new one.

2. The shed will be 21' x 11'. Will I probably need a building permit to make something of this size (I know I'll have to check local code, but just a guess)?

3. Will it need to be framed just like a larger building, or can I frame it like most sheds are framed?

Any info would be appreciated, thanks!
 
1. Can I still use this slab, even though it is slighty higher on the one side? It would be much easier and cheaper to use the existing slab, otherwise I would have to tear it out and make a new one.

Go ahead. The thing will be tilted a bit, but so what? It's a shed!


2. The shed will be 21' x 11'. Will I probably need a building permit to make something of this size (I know I'll have to check local code, but just a guess)?

Yep. The folks at city hall will give you a sheet of requirements, which you can use as a guide.


3. Will it need to be framed just like a larger building, or can I frame it like most sheds are framed?

Might as well. Won't cost much more to do it right. Matter of fact, I can't imagine how it would be done otherwise!


Been down that road...

Check these out.
 
What do you plan on putting in the shed? If you are going to park heavy equipment (big tractor, car) the slab might not be thick enough, but if its just for a lawn mower and tools it should be fine.

For that size of shed, yes, you will probably need a building permit. To get a permit you need to supply basic plans of the shed.

I would go with a framed walls, 16" on center, just because of the size of it. That will make a nice solid shed you dont have to afraid of falling over.
 
you really need to build the walls to fit the slope, that is, so that the top plate of your wall all around is level. Make sure you use ACQ (the green stuff) for the bottom wall plate.
 
You will have a lot of waste building a shed this size. 12 x 20 would work out better. But I understand you have to work with what your have. 11 x 20 would be better than 11 x 21.
 
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