How To Build A Level DIY Shed Foundation

I stapled 3 feet wide heavy duty wire mesh around the perimeter of the shed, once the floor was on, and buried the remaining wire mesh in the ground. About a foot deep and angled out from the shed. Keeps homeless animals from finding a home. When I put the sheathing on, I had the shearing just go over the wire mesh by 1/2 inch. I used galvanized wire mesh and 17 years later, still animal free. Thank you for the video.

This video couldn’t have come out at a better time! Trying to get my shed up here soon and your video is a big help! Thanks for posting!

This is very useful Scott, I am fixing to build one in the back yard of my rental. I'll stay tuned in.....

Awesome. I will follow to the end. The price is not bad. I built one about 8?years ago and used 2x8 treated wood and 3/4” treated plywood. All cost be about $1400 back then. I wrapped top to bottom with galvanized steel and a couple leaks though. Thank you for sharing

Nice progress! If this is your current winter weather, I'm envious!

Good, thanks. I’m usually pretty good at DIY but totally botched a gravel and 4x4 shed base. When the pro came in to build the shed, he had to do a lot of extra work in some areas. Also, the rented tamper weighed 200 pounds, which was murder to get I and out of the car. Take extra care, even if you generally know what you’re doing.

Nice. Like the line up with the building. I have done this differently. I dig out the ground more. Put in a vapor barrier and put in stone so its above grade. If its a wet area I dug deeper and put in more stone. I use the blocks similar to what you did. When we have done like you have, unless its dry and there are no animals around well...we get unwelcomed guests and premature rot. You can't fix a floor/foundation. You end up scrapping the building. I think the stone is cheaper than cement but it is more than what you are doing. I have two sheds this way that have lasted well over 30 years. I will be interested to see what kind of wood home depot gives you to build this shed.

I measure diagonals for squareness. I find it easier, faster, and just as accurate.

If the shed is heavy enough, the gravel will force out sideways and the shed will sink. I used 16" square trailer house blocks to get huge bearing area and scraped away the turf and scraped only enough soil to get each block level with itself, otherwise no digging so they sat on firm undisturbed soil. I didn't worry about getting the blocks level with each other (WAY too much trouble), levelling can be taken care of with layers of blocks, treated wood pieces, etc. to get the underbeams level with each other, much easier. The soil doesn't freeze where I live. The underside of my floor is about 15" above the soil so I can battle armadillos if necessary, and I covered the beams with a sheet of plastic before putting the floor down so it's not exposed to ground moisture.

Oh nice, I am curious how good a quality ready to build shed kits are. Looking forward to this series.

Up here in Canuckistan I went 18" down for stonedust just to make sure I was good for any upheaval in winter. I used the square deck blocks and 4x4s cut to raise it off the ground 15 years it hasn't moved an inch

Dude will have world most level shed for 1 winter

Most excellent how too !

Thanks for sharing.

Wishing my soil was soft and easy to dig like yours

For the 3 skids I would cut the ends at an angle so if you ever need to move it you could slide it. Would be nice to see the building of the shed kit and mods you made. Good work. Mine in Qc Canada is about 12x20, on a concrete slab with spray foam insulation on floor and walls, way way overkill. The old woman who lived there before was using half the shed to store her summer clothes in winter there 😂😂😂 there is a 20ft span closet pole inside.😂😂 😂😂

What are your thoughts on concrete blocks vs the tuff blocks?

Any experience in burning wood to preserve it instead of paint or stain? I’ve heard it makes it water and bug resistant

I have poured concrete that is sloped for drainage and I would like to build a 8'x4'x8' shed. What is the best way to level the foundation?

Shallow foundation and low floor is easier, faster, less expensive , but forces the owner to manage wildlife , that will want to live under this very nice protection , and risk destroying it. Inversly , deep foundation and raised floor may invites some nice fauna ( human occupied lands tend to become ecological deserts . Fauna is nice when you plan for it ).