2024 Storage Shed Cost Guide - How Much Should You Budget?

Have you considered building a space to store your garden tools, outdoor equipment, and other accumulated trinkets? Perhaps you want to create a playroom or craft area for your kids outside the house.

Whatever it is, building a garden shed is a worthwhile and cost-effective option, both in terms of shape and function!

Sheds or outdoor storage units are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and since there isn’t a typical model, costs can vary greatly from one style to another. Naturally, we considered that aspect while writing our garden shed cost guide. So, keep reading and pondering about the different needs you may have that are likely to narrow down your pool of choices. 

How Much to Budget to Construct a Garden Shed in Canada?

Average Backyard Shed Building Cost

In Canada, the cost of building a shed typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with the overall price tag depending largely on the materials you choose and whether you hire a professional contractor to complete the job. 

Note that the price points details above don’t factor in the following:

• Materials needed for floors, doors, and hardware

• Additional material fees (including nails, screws, and decorative accessories)

• Electrical work

• Labour 

Make sure to consider all these items when budgeting for your project. Once again, bear in mind that overall project costs also depend on the size of your garden shed.

Affordable Option: Metal Garden Shed

Metal is on the lower end of the price per square foot scale, and is an extremely durable material. Metal garden sheds are usually made of steel or galvanized steel. This material benefits from rot- and insect-resistant properties. However, it’s not as versatile nor as resilient as resin or wooden sheds.

Metal shed: $1,000–$4,000; $25–$30 per sq. ft.

Standard-Priced: Wooden Storage Shed

Wood is one of the strongest materials. Wood-framed storage units make for great custom sheds, with shelving, loft-like areas, and tool holders. They can be painted or panelled to match or offset your home’s facade. This material doesn’t rust nor does it split, and is used to build a slew of sheds retailed in ranging sizes and styles. However, bear in mind that wood isn’t rot- or insect-resistant, so opt for a model that’s coated in a weatherproof stain.  

Wooden shed: $200–$4,000; $40–$50 per sq. ft.

High-End Option: Resin Garden Shed

Resin is also known as plastic, vinyl, and polyethylene. It’s an easy-to-handle, lightweight material that’s resilient and more durable than wooden sheds. This material is rather low maintenance. Moreover, resin sheds are rust-, insect-, and rot-resistant, meaning they uphold rather well in humid climates.

Resin shed: $400–$5,000; $45–$50 per sq. ft.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Garden Sheds?

Size

No surprise there, one of the biggest cost-affecting factors is the size of your storage shed. It then becomes essential to consider its use and the amount of space you really need. In a nutshell, the bigger the floor plan, the higher the roof, the steeper the cost.

Materials Used

As mentioned earlier, your shed building material of choice is another key factor to consider in terms of cost. A metal shed will be more affordable, followed by wood, and then resin at the top of the scale. Moreover, depending on the hardware, and selected accessories, such as door handles, hinges, windows, etc., the total cost is likely to vary. 

Labour

Unless you’re planning on buying a prefab shed, chances are, you’ll have to hire a contractor to assemble it, or DIY it depending on your skills and experience and the structure’s complexity. Keep in mind that hiring a professional contractor will increase the overall cost, but it could save you time and guarantee a proper setup. 

What Are Some of the Additional Costs?

Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need to get a permit to build a shed, especially if the size of the structures exceeds certain limits. Obtaining a permit means an additional project fee, but one that’s essential to ensure your construction meets local regulations. 

Delivery Fees

Delivery or shipping fees can vary based on the distance to travel and the shed’s size. If you’ve selected a prefab model, said fees could be quite high, especially if the shed is rather voluminous. It’s important to consider these costs from the get-go as they’ll tag onto the original price of your garden shed and can quickly add up.

Garden Shed Models

Not only is it important to choose the right building materials for your shed, but you also have to consider what type of garden shed best suits your backyard and needs. Naturally, there are no specific guidelines to follow when it comes to building your storage shed. Sometimes, it’s those tentative ideas that provide homeowners, and people in general, with the best starting point! 

Gable Roof

A gable roof—A-frame—garden shed is simple to build and set up and rather cost-effective. This type of shed is contemporary and designed to complement a wide variety of architectural styles. 

Gambrel Roof 

This one is more traditional-looking, closely resembling that of a tiny barn. This model is slightly bigger than the others and highly functional, fitted with a lot of wall storage space.

Lean-to Roof

This type of outdoor storage unit is usually considered a small shed. Lean-to-storage sheds are typically built directly next to a house or fence. It also boasts the quickest assembly time between all the sheds featured in this article. It’s also retailed at a low price point. 

FAQ

Ideally, ask yourself a few questions prior to jumpstarting your garden shed building process, including:

What is the best garden shed size?

Garden sheds are retailed in an array of sizes. It’s important to determine the ideal sizing for a garden shed beforehand. Based on your budget, the desired shed size will narrow down the materials to choose from. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself: What are you storing in your shed? Will it be multifunctional? Will it be used to store tools?

In any case, make sure there’s enough space for you to walk around, from one storage area to the next.

What garden shed size and style is best?

As already mentioned, sizing really depends on your budget and permits, but it’s also important to think about what you want instead of going in and buying materials blindly.

Where to build a garden shed?

Measure the area in your backward where you plan on building your shed. This will help you narrow down what kind of material you’ll end up using as some materials uphold better in specific environments.

Do I need a concrete slab for a storage shed?

Consider the type of structure you're planning to build. How big will it be, and what will it be used for? Larger, heavier outdoor storage units typically require a concrete pad to provide a stable foundation, preventing sinking or shifting—especially if you plan to store heavy items inside.

To learn about average renovation project costs, check out our 2024 Home Renovation Price Guide.