Shed with "Fred"

Well…this is the next and most important project in our two year back yard makeover…if you are familiar with my projects you will see that many are projects for my back yard…fences, gates, deck, adirondack chairs, picnic table..

This project is the most important because there is no way I could have done this on my own…if you take a closer look at those projects listed above you will see that I am still in the beginner category…when we started our back yard makeover we knew nothing would be perfect but that we would learn a lot and we could re-do anything we wanted…so far I think we are doing pretty well…we have come a long way this spring with a new sprinkler system and lawn…first time in two years that we can run around and play on a lawn—-and it’s fantastic!

But there was a corner in the back that was reserved for the shed…I had aspirations of doing it on my own and had even bought a couple of shed books…skimmed through them and convinced myself i could do this…we also contemplated buying a kit many times to save money and an easier build…but we wanted this to look really nice and be sturdy…then when “Fred” and his wife “Trudy” (I will explain) came to visit they offered to come back and help us build a shed…

“Fred” is a person I have known for over 10 years…and I think is a great person…he builds custom homes—-beautiful custom homes…so I knew that building with him would be a great experience and we would have a great shed in the end that actually looked good—-and was safe…

As we were building I started to take pictures and then he got worried that I was going to post our project for all the world to see…although this was going well…he got a little nervous…so I told “Fred” that I would keep him anonymous…since you know he has quite a reputation (not that he has anything to worry about—-this is the only project in the back yard that is truly straight and square!!!)

On the first day we did the floor…since we only had a half day…day two was the big day…we completed the floor…did all the walls, siding and rafters for the roof…it was a long day…

Day three we almost finished with the roof and shingles…and the last day we hung the door and put up the trim.

The shed is 10×12…the walls are 7ft high…and i think the roof peeks at 11ft??? I learned a lot…especially that I could not have done this on my own…”Fred” was extremely patient with me…and my lack of knowledge—-strength—-and guts (kind of embarrassing but I cant get on the roof…I helped him re-roof his shop ten years ago and i still have nightmares…my two big toes turned black because i would only walk in one direction on the roof—-with my body ffacing down—-thus by the end of the day my toe nails were black from all the pressure on them all day…)...

In the end we have a nice shed…and it really finishes off the yard…we are down to two smaller sections…but at this point the yard is very live-a-ble…and the best part—-my one car garage—-is no longer full of junk—-and my shop is going to have tons of room when I am done…I emptied out my garage this week of all the stuff we are taking out…and wow…it will be sooo nice…

So—-i cant take too much credit for this one…but I learned a lot…and after losing my dad this past January its so nice to be able to still have someone in my life I can call Dad…THANKS DAD!!!

-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007