Over the years, I’ve often found myself lost in my own garage. If you are anything like me, you do the best you can to keep organized, but sometimes it’s a daunting chore. I’ve built a workbench, and I have my garden tools hanging and out of the way. But one thing I can never seem to find is enough space.

It is amazing to me how a two-car garage can fill so quickly over time. The way I see it, you have two solutions: buy a larger home or build a shed. (Note: Before we start talking sheds, please check your local zoning laws and building codes to see if you are permitted to build one. Also, make sure your housing plan doesn’t forbid the building of such structures).

Once you know you’re permitted to build a shed, be careful what you do. If you are looking for a quick fix, try the rubber products, which are durable, easy to install and remove, and work well on a concrete slab. These products aren’t designed to last a lifetime, but that’s all right as long as you’re not planning on staying in your house forever.

You’ve probably noticed the line of ready-built sheds in the parking lot at your local home center. Most of these kits are delivered to your home, where you then have to build them yourself. I wouldn’t recommend these sheds, which are often low quality. If you want a shed that will last, avoid these products.

So, what do you do? First, decide if you are going to be staying in your home for a long time. This will help you decide what type of shed to build and the amount of money you want to invest. Keep in mind if you build a quality shed, it could last a hundred years.

Second, decide if the look of the shed is a concern. Many homeowners are disappointed when their shed is complete because it doesn’t look like it belongs.

Third, figure out the size of the shed you’ll need. A simple way to do this is to take all of the items you’d like to store in your shed and place them in a flat place in your yard. Rope off the area, and make sure you can easily walk between items and move around without bumping into various items and tools. Next, write down the measurements. This will give you a good idea on the desired size needed.

Once you’ve made up your mind that you want a shed, the next step is determining whether you want to build it yourself or hire an expert. If you prefer the latter, I suggest searching for a reputable contractor. Most contractors in our area will consider doing a smaller job like this if they have the time.

A quality contractor can explain the products they intend to use, and they can design a shed that will blend naturally into the surroundings and make it look like it belongs in your yard.

There are two basic ways to start building a shed: either on posts, like you’d build a deck; or with a concrete foundation. If you are building your shed on wood posts, please make sure to use treated posts that are approved for burial in soil. Your floor should also be made of treated wood, since it will attract a lot of moisture from yard materials, tractors, and lawnmowers.

Also keep in mind that sheds built in western Pennsylvania, where the ground freezes, must be protected from frost heave. When the soil freezes, it causes the soil to expand, which can cause stress on the structure.

If you’d rather build a shed yourself, you can find many books and information on the Internet to guide you. Just be sure to consider the time and amount of money you want to invest before deciding which way to go.

If money is not an issue, I suggest finding a quality contractor to do the work. Not only do they have the experience needed to build a quality shed, they also should be able to give you a great price due to the current climate of the building industry.

Whatever you decide, as long as you do your research and follow these guidelines, you’ll have an attractive, well-built, efficient new shed that will last for years to come.