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12x16 Shed: Materials List and Cost
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What a real 12x16 build included
Family Handyman's 12 x 16-ft. garden shed has room for tools and a planting bench under the windows, and large sliding doors wide enough to drive a riding mower through. Its materials choices:
- Siding: 4x8 sheets of 5/16-inch fiber cement, painted on site.
- Trim and door frames: solid PVC, in 18-foot lengths so fascia boards need no splices. It was a big chunk of the cost; wood or composite trim would save money.
- Foundation: concrete slab, which a contractor poured. It is not included in the $4,800.
- Walls: frame the long walls first while the slab is open, tilt them slightly outward when standing them, check plumb and brace.
The full materials list and plans are part of Family Handyman's downloadable plan set, so we can't reproduce an item-by-item list here. Price any plan set at your own lumberyard.
Cost context
| What | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 12x16 shed, any type (wood, custom or kit) | About $3,000 to $15,000 | Bob Vila, citing Angi |
| Family Handyman 12x16 garden shed materials | About $4,800 (no slab) | Family Handyman |
| Custom-built shed | $60 to $150 per sq ft | Bob Vila, citing Angi |
| Concrete foundation if required | About $4,000 to $12,300 | Bob Vila, citing Angi |
| Concrete foundation vs skids | Skids can save $1,000 or more | Bob Vila, citing Angi |
Prices vary by region and year. Family Handyman's project was originally published in 2011; Bob Vila's data is more recent. Use them as ballparks, not quotes.
Before you start
- Permit and setbacks: check with your building department. You may need a survey or plot plan to find lot lines.
- Call 811 a few days before you dig.
- A larger shed needs a stronger foundation. See foundation options.
What will your shed cost?
Our free calculator compares building it yourself, buying a kit and hiring a builder for your exact size.
Open the shed cost calculatorCommon questions
How much does a 12x16 shed cost to build?
Bob Vila, citing Angi, puts a 12-foot by 16-foot shed at about $3,000 to $15,000. Family Handyman spent about $4,800 on materials for its 12x16 garden shed, not including the concrete slab, and PVC trim was a big part of that cost.
How long does a 12x16 take to build?
Family Handyman says that if you've built a deck or other large project it should not be a problem: with a few helpers the shell can go up in a weekend, then expect three or four busy weekends to finish.
Do I need a permit?
At 192 square feet it may fall under the 200 square foot limit in some places, but not everywhere. Family Handyman says that in most areas you'll need a permit for a shed of this size. Check with your local building department. See our permit guide.
Get a full set of 12x16 plans
A good set of plans gives you a cut list, a materials list and drawings for every step, which saves money on wasted lumber and time on head-scratching. See our guide to choosing shed plans, free and paid.
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