Build a Shed - An In Depth Look at What Tools Are Needed

You'll be surprised to discover that the most important and overlooked tool to build a shed is the plans. Most people don't even realize that without a good set of plans your backyard project will:

Cost more
Take more time
Turn into a nightmare

Once you have a great set of plans you can figure out what kind of hardware and lumber you need to finish the job. After that you can concentrate on getting the tools that will allow you to complete this project with ease.

You will at least have to have access to or purchase:

Battery or power drill
Solid quality hammer
Pliers
Good circular saw (with a sharp blade)
Screwdrivers
Wrenches

You will also need:

Level
Chalk line
Framing square
Tape measure

If you are opting for the permanent foundation you will need:

Shovel
Post hole digger
Wheelbarrow (to mix concrete in)
Good set of gloves

Now that I have mentioned gloves I would like to point out a couple of things to concern you with safety wise. First off you are also going to need a pair of safety goggles. God only gave you one set of eyes, don't loose them. You should wear the glasses any time you are hammering, using power saws, and using power drills. I know this seems like an extreme, but you may even want to invest in a safety hat. Sometimes tools fall from someone working overhead and you don't want to be under a gravity fed blow from a power drill without a safety hat.

You will also need to put a finish on your shed so you will need:

Brushes
Or and optional paint sprayer (you can rent one from one of the box stores)

One tool that is totally optional is a reciprocating saw and with good set of shed plans to help guide you there should be no need for one. So, I would like to once again reiterate the importance of getting a high quality set of blueprints from the start. One thing some people don't realize is that you can give a set of plans with lumber cut measurements on it and a lumber yard will cut all the lumber for you to size for a slight fee of course. Getting the wood cut is half the battle, at that point you could put the shed together kind of like a giant jig saw puzzle. I am sure you see now what a huge time savings that would be; as well as, being able to maybe not get as many power tools if you need to purchase them to get the project done.