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Shed Plans With a Cut List and Materials List: Is a Paid Plan Package Worth It?
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Who this is for
First-time builders planning a backyard shed, most often an 8x10, 10x12 or 12x16, who do not want to design it from scratch or guess at lumber. If you already know framing, you can skip this page.
What you get
A plan you can take to the lumber yard for a quote, and the right lengths to buy so you waste less. That is the practical outcome of the items below, and it is why a missing cut list is the first thing to check.
What a good plan includes
- A materials list you can take to a lumber yard for a quote
- A cut list, so you buy the right lengths and waste less
- Foundation, floor, wall and roof drawings with dimensions
- Door and window framing details
- A step-by-step order, ideally with 3D views
Our free vs paid shed plans guide has the full comparison. A lean-to shed is the simplest design to start with.
Before you pay: one check
Look at the sample pages first. Make sure the drawings are clear and include cut lists, and check the refund policy before you buy.
What a plan does not do
A plan does not tell you whether your town needs a permit or how close to the property line you can build. Check permit and setback rules before you buy lumber, and call 811 before you dig.
A note on honesty
We have not tested or verified any specific shed plan package, so we do not name one. We do not publish made-up reviews or testimonials. The link below goes to plan packages sold for a one-time fee. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change the advice above: free plans are a fine choice for a simple shed.
Ready to look at plan packages?
Open the sample plans first and check them against the list above.
See shed plan packages (sample pages first)Free printable: Shed Build Checklist
From permit check to the last coat of paint, in one page. Download the one-page PDF now, or get it by email along with a short series of five helpful emails.