I really like building sheds (when the weather is nice) – customers always seem to like the idea of having one, and they are quick, fun, and make decent money in a short amount of time.
Trouble is, I always encounter the same reaction when I tell them what it will cost for me to build it instead of them buying from the Home Depot or other shed building outfit. It’s understandable, I mean I can usually barely cover myself in materials/markup for the total cost that HD charges for the same size shed.
So, what arguments are you guys making when this question comes up?
– ability to match it to the house?
– better customization of details? (I think even the shed distributors are able to be pretty customized these days)
– better quality? how?
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Replies
All of your "arguments" make sense but if you are trying to sell Lincoln s in a Chevy neighborhood, it ain't gonna help in 99 cases out of 100. The people who want a customized shed will tell you up front that they're not interested in the prefab units that they see everywhere. You won't have to "sell" them on the details. You'll have to sell them on the fact that you can provide the details with your skill and professionalism.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
How about moving over to kid's play houses? Do the shed companies offer anything like that? If not, that would end the price comparisons and they'd probably be more fun to build. How about a modest custom Victorian with some gingerbread trim?
Just googled "children's outdoor playhouse" Here's one interesting link. Lowest kit price is $3,200, plus S&H: http://www.lilliputplayhomes.com/
yes, but that will only work if they have kids. I'll take that when I can get it, but it's not as often.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
OK. Market them to people who enjoy medicinal herbs and mushrooms instead.
send them to HD to look at how they are built.(junk)
This convinced me to build my shed from scratch.
justin: I love there 2x3 walls, 2' on center.
I built mine with 7'3 studs, it gives me headroom.
If you have a MR>SEconts around you go look how there sheds are built. WOW
I found that visiting the comp. and looking at their products, you should have plenty of ammunition to sell "custom" sheds.
good thought - and yes, the 2x3s are a great way to differentiate too. thanks guys.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Justin:
My wife and I saw a plastic shed at Sam's club. 10'x12' or so with doors, hardware, windows, roof and floor for $800.00 or so.
I can't buy the materials and come up with as nice as shed as that.
Unless you can sell some secret cachet, you'll never compete on price.
Kowboy
I do these little pole barns all the time and the deal is that it's really not at all something you can get at HD. Yes they are more expensive but they use local rough sawn lumber and can be infinitley customized and they give a lot of bang for the buck.
http://www.chandlerdesignbuild.com/files/PoleBarnOutbuildings.pdf
But as far as a way to sell them I focus on the fact that a well done pole barn gives you a way to get more out of a smaller house.
They don't run up your utility bills the way an addition to your house would since they are almost never heated full time (but can be heated and cooled easily and efficiently with a vertical PTAC unit or radiant floor)
They help define your landscape by giving structure to your "door yard"
They can give you a great and easily accessible place to store your stuff (I have to use a dehumidifier to allow for paper and fabric and guitar amp/case storage here in NC) No problems coping with a pull down staircase to get to your stuff.
But if your solution is a crappy plywood box from HD then it's a blight on the landscape, won't last long, and will damage anything you store in it for any length of time. Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you cheap out and shoot yourself in the foot.
Just my opinion though.
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"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
That's great advice - thanks for taking the time to post it all here. Much appreciated.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Of course you read Rick Arnold's article in the mag.
I like the PVC post/footing things he used. I'd not seen those b4.
"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
FHB No 194 :)
But pour a concrete floor.