Building a Concrete Shed Foundation-How To Build A Shed Foundation

Before putting up your backyard storage shed, learn how building a concrete shed foundation will make the entire process easier and sturdier. 
With a little bit of help and a dry afternoon you can have a level, perfectly sized base for your shed.

Start with the location of the shed.  Mark out the size or base and remove all sod and plant material within that area.  A general rule is to make your concrete base only slightly larger than your shed.  Now you are ready to assemble the form.

Using straight, but lower grade 2 inch x 4 inch lumber, cut four pieces in the necessary length for your base.  Let’s assume the shed is 8 foot x 10 foot and you are building a shed foundation that’s 12 foot square.  Then you would cut two pieces of 12 foot long 2×4 and two pieces of 14 foot long 2×4 (the extra length acts as a stabilizer).

Attach these four pieces to make a 12 foot x 12 foot frame inside.  Get the frame square by measuring the distance between the diagonals.  When they are equal you are set.  Nail a piece of 2×4 across the frame to keep it square until you can stake it into place.  Bring your frame over to the prepared site.

Once the frame is arranged in the location, you can pound wooden stakes into the ground directly beside the frame.  Keeping the frame square, you need to attach the stakes to the frame temporarily to make sure there is no movement.  Gently but effectively saw the stakes off at the top of the 2×4 and remove the temporary diagonal piece.

Dig a shallow trench around the outside of the frame.  This works to allow those concreted areas supporting the walls to go a little deeper, like a footing in the ground.

Now mix your concrete in a wheelbarrow to a consistency much like cold oatmeal – not too runny but with adequate moisture.  While you’re pouring the concrete keep the ground in the framework moist with a light spray and work quickly.

Fill the trench first and then the balance of the area to about a 2 inch thickness.  Lay in ¾” rebar (reinforcing rod) to help keep the base strong.  Overlap the rebar pieces about 16 to 18” inches and then cover with the concrete right to the top of the framework.
Tap the framework all around the 2×4 with a regular hammer to help loosen any air bubbles and set the concrete down further.  Take another long piece of 2×4 and “screed” the top, flattening off with concrete and removing excess.

Finally you can trowel, although remember this is a DIY project and you are not a cement master.  Try to get an attractive feathered or wave pattern, but don’t stress if you can’t.  Once the slab is dried, after a few days, remove the framework and admire the finished base.

Now you know the easy steps of how to build a shed foundation.  Move on to the next stage of your backyard project. So building a shed foundation  is clearly a very achievable project for you and it is essential to the structural stability of your shed and will serve you well into the future and enhance the value of your property.

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