Shed Cost Estimate

Ben Walker
1st Period – 10/31
Project Documentation Report:

I was hired to design and calculate the cost for a shed being built at Woodrow Wilson HS.
The shed’s footprint measures 16’x12’ with 8’ tall walls and a gable roof, and is being built on a 6”
thick concrete pad foundation. The shed is being designed in Revit to get a good idea of what it
should look like and what materials to use, and materials are being found on the HomeDepot
website and placed in Excel to find the cost of materials as well as the total shed cost. Below, the
costs and energy transmission of the shed will be introduced and explained to get a further idea of
the assignment at hand.

Autodesk Revit is a software used to build any structure or object using very particular and
realistic materials. It also provides unique details and measurements for each material, allowing
the designer to determine whether materials fit their design constraints. My design included
materials such as concrete, wood panels, glass windows, a steel door, and asphalt shingles. Most
residential foundations use these materials, because they are durable and efficient, therefore I
used them for the shed design. I started with the concrete base, then worked my way to the walls
and their components, and then to the roof and its components. The finished product identically
resembles a real-life shed.

Foundations are made out of concrete, because it is very durable and relatively cheap. Its
compression strength is very high, yet it has low tensile strength, therefore rebar is installed to
give the foundation more support. The concrete pad foundation is efficient for this shed project,
because it is a relatively small foundation and its being built on flat ground. Also, concrete pad
foundations use much less concrete than strip foundations, which lowers the price. The total
volume of concrete needed was 3.56 cubic yards, and the total cost of the foundation was $618.08.
 Calculating transmission load helps determine whether the structure is energy efficient or
not, so that changes can be made in order to get the desired energy levels. The thickness of the
structure, as well as the materials used to build it affects the transmission load. The thinnest
structures allowed the most heat/loss gain, such as the door. The thickest structures allowed the
least heat loss/gain, such as the roof. The R-Value for the walls is 5.7, the roof: 57.9, the door: 0.87,
and the windows: 1.5. The greatest amount of heat loss/gain occurs in the door, because it is a
relatively large but thin structure that easily allows heat flow through it. The total transmission
load for the shed: 5,447.8 BTU/h.

Microsoft Excel was used to calculate the total shed cost, because if data is inputted into the
system such as the quantity and price of materials, Excel can gather that data and do any
necessary calculations. It is more beneficial than doing the calculation by hand, because certain
commands transform the program into a data calculator. In this case, the program multiplied the
price per material by the quantity needed, then added all the prices of all the materials together to
get the total cost. Most materials were found on the HomeDepot website, however a few were
found at Lowes. The openings ended up costing the most at 1,635.30, because they are high
quality, durable, and prebuilt. The total cost of the shed added up to $5,010.65. A material I didn’t
expect to be included in the estimate was anchor bolts, because the use of them hadn’t been
discussed in class.

The fact that the shed I designed is both cost efficient and energy efficient makes it a very
well designed shed. The most challenging part of designing the shed in Revit was comparing and
inserting materials that matched the shed design constraints. It is important to plan out the
design of a structure before actually putting it together so that you know the constraints and at
least have an idea of the look you’re aiming for. The openings ended up costing the most, because
they are high quality and prebuilt. The roof also ended up costing a lot, because components such
as asphalt shingles, rafters, and insulation were expensive to attain. The most waste is found in the
walls, because there are 3+ wood layers that significantly increase the cost. Eliminating the
installation of windows and slightly decreasing the thickness of the walls by reducing the number
of wood layers would create a much more cost efficient option.

Design Brief
Introduction / Design Overview
The goal of the project is to calculate the total cost of a
16’x12’ shed built on a 6” thick concrete pad foundation
with a gable roof. The shed walls measure 8’ high and 4
windows as well as 1 door are built in. Materials used were
found on the Home Depot website, giving a more realistic
price range of an actual shed cost.
Foundation Discussion
Using a concrete pad foundation is very cost efficient,
because not a lot of concrete is required and the shed is
being built on flat ground. A strip foundation would not
be more cost efficient, because more concrete is
required and in this case, concrete walls would be
unnecessary. This is because the shed is not a large
structure and is being built on a flat surface.
Revit Discussion
Revit is valuable when designing structures, because it
provides the availability of many different building
materials to test out which would be best for that specific
structure. It also provides unique details and
measurements for each material, allowing the designer to
determine whether materials fit their design constraints.
Energy Efficiency Discussion
The total transmission load for the shed added up to
5,447.8 BTU/h. The thinnest structures allowed the most
heat/loss gain, such as the door. The thickest structures
allowed the least heat loss/gain, such as the roof. The
fact that the shed is a small structure makes heat levels
easier to manage, therefore it is very energy efficient.
Acknowledgements / Resources https://www.homedepot.com
Shed Cost Estimate
Ben Walker
Woodrow Wilson HS
Cost Analysis
1. The total cost for the floor was $618.08. The concrete
made up the majority of the cost at $481.40.
2. The total cost for the walls was $1,147.87. The wood
bevel siding made up the majority of the cost at
$493.95.
3. The total cost for the openings was 1,635.30. The
Results / Conclusions
double door made up the majority of the cost at
$910.18.
4. The total cost for the roof was $1,609.40. The batt
insulation made up the majority of the cost at $764.16.
• The openings ended up costing the most, because since
5. The total calculated shed cost is $5,010.65 they are high quality and prebuilt, the cost is higher.
• The most waste is found in the walls, because there are
3+ wood layers that significantly increase the cost.
• Eliminating the installation of windows and slightly
decreasing the thickness of the walls would create a
much more cost efficient option.
• Most materials used for the shed were found at
www.homedepot.com, because it is a local hardware
store that supplies a variety of materials needed and
gives a realistic cost estimate for parts and the shed as a
whole.
• Microsoft Excel is very helpful in finding values and costs,
because you can input formulas that basically turn the
software into a data calculator that can make
calculations from large collections of variables and data
for further analysis.
• The most challenging part of designing the shed in Revit
was comparing and inserting materials that matched the
shed design constraints.
• In order to make the shed more energy efficient, extra
layers could be added to the walls to make them thicker
and the windows could be removed. The removal of the
door would conserve more energy, but it is an essential
component to any structure.
 Section 1
5
1/2" = 1'-0"
Batt insulation

16' - 0"

5 2 x 8 Rafters @ 24" O.C.

A101

1/2" Plywood Sheathing

Asphault Shingles
12' - 0"

Roof
8' - 0"

Batt insulation

1/2" Gypsum wallboard

Floor {3D}
2 1
1/4" = 1'-0" Cedar Siding

Plywood Sheathing

2 x 4 Studs @ 24" O.C.

1'-0"
9"

Roof Roof 6" Concrete Slab

8' - 0" 8' - 0"
Floor
0' - 0"
Floor Floor
0' - 0" 0' - 0"

East North
3 4
1/8" = 1'-0" 1/8" = 1'-0"

Ben Walker Green Utility Shed

No. Description Date

11/2/2017 9:13:55 AM
A101
Project number Project Number

Green Utility Shed

Date Issue Date
Author
www.autodesk.com/revit Drawn by
Checked by Checker Scale As indicated
 Name Building Materials Cost Sheet
Building Materials Cost Estimate
Category Item Material Size/Description
Floor Floor Concrete 80 lb bag (1 yd3 = 40.5 bags)
Rebar Steel #4 (1/2in. X 10ft)
Forms Pine 2in. x 4in. – 12ft
Forms Pine 2in. x 4in. – 16ft
2in. x 4in. - 8ft (placed every
Walls Stud Pine 16" O.C. in all walls)
2in. x 4in. - 8ft (all the way
around the perimeter of the
walls) (Double Top Plate is
Top Plate Pine being used for this Shed)
2in. x 4in. - 8ft (all the way
around the perimeter of the
Sole Plate Pine walls)
2in. x 6in. - 8ft (above each
window and door on both the
Headers Pine interior surfaces of the wall)
7/16in. x 4ft x 8ft sheet (to
Wall Sheathing (exterior)OSB (Oriented Strand Board) mount the siding)
4ft x 8ft sheets (covering the
Siding 19/32in. Wood Bevel Siding exterior of each wall)
1/2in x 4ft x 8ft sheet (covering
Wall Finish (interior) Gypsum Wall Board (Drywall) all interior walls)
Gallon (400 sq. ft per gallon)
Paint Exterior Latex Paint 2 coats on every exterior wall
1/2in x 8in (placed every 4ft
O.C. through the sole plate
into the concrete to mount the
Anchor Bolt Steel wall to the foundation)
23.5in. x 35.5in. (any properly
sized window of your
Openings Double Hung Window Vinyl choosing)
Double - 6ft x 80in. (any
properly sized door of your
Door Steel choosing)
2in. x 8in. - 8ft (down the
center of the rood where both
Roof Ridge Board Pine rafters will connect)
2in. x 6in. - 8ft (every 16in
O.C. connecting the top plate
Rafters Pine and the blocking)
2in. x 6in. - 8ft (runs above the
top plate at the top of the walls
Blocking Pine to connect the rafters)
7/16in. x 4ft x 8ft sheet
(covering the entire roof area
so the felt and shingles can be
Sheathing Oriented Strand Board (OSB) attached)
Roll covers 216 sq ft (covering
Roofing Felt #15 Tar-Impreganted Felt Paper the entire roof area)
Per 1/3 Square (meaning
covers 33.3 sq ft) (covering
Shingles Composition/Asphalt the entire exterior of the roof)
5.5in. x 15in. - 77.5 sq. ft
(interior of the roof between
R-19 Batt Insulation Fiberglass the rafters)
1in. x 8in. - 10ft (the outside
face of the roof [around the
Fascia Pine perimeter])
Drip Edge Galvanized Metal 1.5in. x 1.5in. x 10ft
Civil Engineering Architecture
Quantity Unit Cost Cost Source
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-80-lb-Concrete-
145 $3.32 $481.40 Mix-110180/100318511
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weyerhaeuser-1-2-in-x-10-
23 $4.98 $114.54 ft-Rebar-05366/202094293
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-2-in-x-4-in-x-12-
ft-Standard-Better-Kiln-Dried-Heat-Treated-Spruce-Pine-
2 $4.48 $8.96 Fir-Lumber-161667/202086794
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-2-in-x-4-in-x-16-
ft-Standard-Better-Kiln-Dried-Heat-Treated-Spruce-Pine-
2 $6.59 $13.18 Fir-Lumber-161683/100047420
Floor Subtotal $618.08
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-4-in-x-96-in-Yellow-
42 $2.49 $104.58 Pine-Kiln-Dried-Stud-232971/202519496
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-4-in-x-96-in-Yellow-
14 $2.49 $34.86 Pine-Kiln-Dried-Stud-232971/202519496
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-4-in-x-96-in-Yellow-
7 $2.49 $17.43 Pine-Kiln-Dried-Stud-232971/202519496
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-6-in-x-8-ft-2-and-
Better-Kiln-Dried-Heat-Treated-Spruce-Pine-Fir-Lumber-
3 $5.88 $17.64 161713/100037451
https://www.homedepot.com/p/7-16-in-x-48-in-x-8ft-
15 $17.15 $257.25 Oriented-Strand-Board-386081/202106230
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plywood-Siding-Panel-T1-
11-4-IN-OC-Common-19-32-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-563-
15 $32.93 $493.95 in-x-48-in-x-96-in-177189/100080879
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sheetrock-UltraLight-1-2-
15 $9.42 $141.30 in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Gypsum-Board-14113411708/202530243
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Glidden-Premium-1-gal-
3 $21.96 $65.88 Satin-Latex-Exterior-Paint-GL6912-01/100675025
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-1-2-in-x-8-in-Round-
Head-Hot-Dipped-Galvanized-Anchor-Bolt-with-Washer-
14 $1.07 $14.98 and-Nut/4395613
Walls Subtotal $1,147.87
https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WEN-23-5-in-x-35-
5-in-V-2500-Series-Double-Hung-Vinyl-Window-with-
4 $181.28 $725.12 Grids-White-THDJW144400963/205663923
https://www.homedepot.com/p/MMI-Door-72-in-x-80-in-
Left-Hand-6-Panel-Classic-Primed-Steel-Prehung-Front-
1 $910.18 $910.18 Door-on-6-9-16-in-Frame-Z029360L/302693950
Openings Subtotal $1,635.30
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-8-in-x-8-ft-2-Prime-
Kiln-Dried-Southern-Yellow-Pine-Lumber-
2 $5.69 $11.38 689238/202085941
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-6-in-x-8-ft-2-and-
Better-Kiln-Dried-Heat-Treated-Spruce-Pine-Fir-Lumber-
26 $5.88 $152.88 161713/100037451
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-6-in-x-8-ft-2-and-
Better-Kiln-Dried-Heat-Treated-Spruce-Pine-Fir-Lumber-
7 $5.88 $41.16 161713/100037451
https://www.homedepot.com/p/7-16-in-x-48-in-x-8ft-
10 $17.15 $171.50 Oriented-Strand-Board-386081/202106230
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Warrior-Roofing-30-216-
2 $16.85 $33.70 sq-ft-Felt-Roof-Deck-Protection-414-0/100086691
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GAF-Timberline-HD-
Weathered-Wood-Lifetime-Architectural-Shingles-with-
10 $28.00 $280.00 StainGuard-33-3-sq-ft-per-Bundle-0670900/202052357
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-R-19-15-
24 $31.84 $764.16 in-x-93-in-Kraft-Faced-Insulation-Batts-BF40/202585865
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Trim-Board-Primed-Finger-
Joint-Common-1-in-x-8-in-x-12-ft-Actual-719-in-x-7-25-in-
6 $22.17 $133.02 x-144-in-590677/100386720
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-1-2-in-x-1-1-2-x-10-ft-
6 $3.60 $21.60 Weatherwood-Galvanized-Steel-Drip-Edge-Flashing-
Roof Subtotal $1,609.40
Total Cost $5,010.65
Shed Cost Estimate Documentation (Page 1 of 1)