Simple Backyard shed - in CA - how hard?

The shed in the backyard is basically a POS! I'm VERY surprised it didn't topple over during the winds a couple days ago. I MEAN VERY!!! the cement on the bottom is not JUST cracked, it's actually broke ALL over, there's an ugly ass cave in to it. The side shelves are BARELY hanging to ... w/e the hell is keeping them from falling off already. So my question is, how hard/complicated would it be to redo a shed?

I can snap some shots of the shed as of now, would like to make it larger though so I can put in more of the car/truck/misc parts I have laying around in the garage takin up space in there. I know how to use power tools and build things, but ... when it comes to the measuring parts ... I suck at it (not all asians are great at math ).

 

If you are going to expand it make sure to get the proper permits from your county

 

also pictures of the structure would be very helpful

 

cool, will be getting some shots of it and posting later today. imo, if an inspector were to walk in and see it, I would probably get fined. Looks VERY unsafe being in there.

 

Pics

 

Pics.

 

When you say redo do you mean restore the current shed or start from scratch?

It sounds like it would be better just to tear it down and start again.

 

You may find permit info on your county or city website. Around here we're allowed 120sq feet without a permit.

 

no expanding, using what space I have where the shed is now (there's a lot more room, problem was there was too much organic plants around - theme of the backyard was cool, but .... it's busted now imo).

lol, that's my intention. Sorry, I meant to tear it down and make a better one. Since the winds hit pretty bad around my area, I felt it was a good time to tear it down and make a better one that is usable ad not just filled with ... stuff.

that should be enough ... I hope, if I can get used to this 3D program fast enough I should be able to have a layout of what I want to build.

 

here go the pictures, was waiting for the sun to come out and for the weather to come down off the crack!

this is the outside, couldn't get that good of pics, there's a pool behind me. I'm working within this area, from the back of the original shed to where the bricks end as well as to where the fence is behind the plants.

 

Here's the pictures of the inside, the last 2 pics are of the floor, see how its cracked to hell, like an earthquake was center under the shed? Can't use it for ish cause of that, plus it REALLY smells like crap due to all the damn w/e dying in there and feeling it's okay to leave their feces.

 

that foundation looks pretty FUBAR'd


Honestly I would just tear down everything and completely start from scratch (I'm not quite sure if you will be able to patch the flooring)

 

I know you want to hide the shed using those bushes/shrubs but they did not help your concrete any. The roots from them grow and expand under the concrete and heave the concrete causing it to crack and break. That is also why sidewalks are raised near trees planted next to them.

 

x2

OP do you want to put in a new concrete foundation?

What about doing it in pressure treated lumber that raised on concrete blocks?

 

NOT pretty at all, IT IS FUBAR'D! lol. I want to. I want to clear the whole area and make a larger (use up that whole space) shed to put in all the rims, and other parts I have laying around the backyard and in the garage. NIMO, hell no!! it's gone period, that's the middle, there was too much stuff on that tarp, I was poking it with a mop handle to move it over some to see the flooring.

I think that was the original owners idea, I want ALL that gone esp that POS water fountain that has like NEVER worked! lol. I don't know why my mom likes it. It's destroyed though, so I don't see any point in having it there anymore (plus the hose tubing is all cut up, doesn't even reach the statue).

Want it done up so that I won't see anything breaking anytime soon that's for sure!!! lol. I'm not sure where to start though (I get the tearing down part, as for the foundation part ... I'm half and half literate, I have worked a little in landscaping with a friends dad).

In my head I want it semi like it is, no pointy top, but I want also a small attic on top so that A. kids can't jump on it, it's like the FAR corner of a school fence right behind it, as well us being right behind a school) and so I don't have any space like vacant'ish) and B. so I can store boxes up there, small boxes with pots/pans, stuff that's floating in the garage). The bottom I want to have a work bench/table so I don't have to worry about people going into the garage after I have sprayed a part or had to use chemicals. Also its cool for me to use when I just need a place to use to build lol. The rest of the room will be for rims/parts, hoping to be able to separate my brothers parts from my parts (I have more but still ). And then the other Misc. garage items, w/e can fit in there so that the garage looks decent enough to put in a vehicle.

 

I forgot but I REALLY don't want the floor cracking either. TOO many things have crawled up in there and died, literally, finding out a couple days just when the maggot process is "potent" on the corpse.

 

The previous owner build a good shed in my back yard.
If rebuilding:
Good Foundation.
Good structure
Good roof
Proper grounding if running electric.

If you just use plywood and drywall screws you will end up with a fort that won't last long.

 

with the foundation you are more than likely going to have to remove it all (mainly because of the severity of the damage) (it also looks a little on the thinner side from the pics you posted)

Do you happen to know what the dimensions of the shed are?

 

not at the moment. I don't think it was properly built, there's at least supposed to be dirt under where the hole was made, yet it seemed as if it were hallow around that area and dirt was just plotted on the outer most areas to keep it from sinking.

I don't mind removing it all. I am VERY disgusted with the way it is as of now entirely. Plus the wind did a nice job of clearing the road for me lol. The pool doesn't have water in it either (due to small cracks within the pool, trying to figure a budget solution to get rid of it and put in a ... new garden for her. the one she has now is FREAKING small).

 

I think you should tear out some of those shrubs/trees. Cart off the old shed. Cart off that broken slab.

Dig out the area for the slab. You'll definitely want to add a gravel base. Build your forms, you'll probably want your slab to be about 4" or 5" deep and you'll probably want a wire frame to strengthen it, place the wire in the middle of the slab, since earthquakes and all. Might also throw some re-bar around the permitter along with the wire.

You might also considering concreting in bolts if you know where your shed is going to bolt down to.

My experience is from doing a few sheds with the old man so take it for what it's worth.


http://renovationrobot.com.au/concrete/diyconcreteslab.html