PickGlobe
Shed plans are a drawing and a list, not permission to build. A good set saves you guesswork, but it cannot tell you what your local council or building department will allow. This guide covers what to look for in the plans themselves and what to check around them before you pay.
This guide is based on the public sources listed at the end. We have not tested any plans, kits or sellers mentioned.
Step 1: Decide the size and the rules first
Pick a footprint and height before you look at plans, then check them against the rules where you live. Plans are drawn to one size, and changing a design later is harder than choosing the right one now.
- England: the Planning Portal lists limits for outbuildings built without planning permission, including a single story, eaves up to 2.5 m, and a maximum overall height of 4 m with a dual-pitched roof or 3 m for any other roof. A building within 2 m of a boundary can be no higher than 2.5 m overall. Extra limits apply on designated land and for listed buildings. Our garden shed rules guide sets these out with the sources.
- United States: rules are set by your city or county. As one example only, a Massachusetts town says sheds of 200 square feet or less and up to 16 feet long need no building permit, with setbacks that depend on size. That is one town, not a national rule. Search your local site for "accessory structure" and ask about size, height, setbacks, utilities and any homeowners' association rules.
Ask the local office in writing if you plan to build near a boundary.
Step 2: What good shed plans include
Use this as a checklist when you read the sales page or the preview.
| Look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Overall dimensions: width, depth, wall height, ridge height | Lets you compare with the limits above |
| Foundation or base details, or a clear statement that you must design your own | The ground and the base are what the plan cannot know about your site |
| Floor, wall and roof framing drawings with measurements | You build from these, so they should be readable |
| A materials list and a cut list | Lets you price the project before buying anything |
| Step-by-step instructions, not just drawings | Matters most if this is your first build |
| Door and window openings, and any options | Check that sizes suit what you want to store |
| Stated assumptions: lumber sizes, fasteners, roof covering | Different regions sell different sizes |
If a sales page shows only photographs and a headline, look for a sample page or a table of contents before paying.
Step 3: Check the materials list
A materials list is the quickest way to judge a plan.
- Does it list quantities and sizes for every part, not just the main framing?
- Are sizes written the way your local suppliers sell them? Lumber is often sold in nominal sizes that differ from the real measurements, and metric and imperial sizes are not interchangeable. Compare with your local yard.
- Add the cost of the base, roofing, doors, hardware and paint. These are often not in the headline estimate.
- Check whether the list includes extra for waste and mistakes. If it does not, plan for some.
DIY plans or a kit shed
| Plans you build from scratch | Kit shed | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A design and instructions; you buy the materials | Pre-cut parts and fixings in one delivery |
| Flexibility | You can adjust the design within the limits | Usually fixed sizes and styles |
| Skills and tools | Measuring, cutting and framing | Assembly, often with fewer tools |
| Check | The materials list and your local rules | What is included, delivery, and the same local rules |
Neither choice removes the need to check permission and the base. For more on the general checks, see our guide to what to check in woodworking plans.
Check the seller, format and refunds
- Format: most plans are sold as downloadable files, often PDF. Check that you can print them at a useful size and that dimensions are readable.
- License: some plans allow you to build only for yourself and not to sell what you build. Read the terms.
- Refunds: find the seller's refund terms before you pay, including how long you have and how to ask. Our guide to refunds and chargebacks explains your options if something goes wrong.
- Claims: be cautious of promises about savings or about how quickly you can finish. Judge plans by their contents, not by claims.
Safety
Building a shed involves ladders, power tools and heavy lumber. Follow the tool maker's instructions, wear suitable protection, and ask for help with lifting. Check for buried pipes and cables before digging.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Sources: Planning Portal, outbuildings: planning permission; Town of Sudbury, MA building department, do I need a permit to erect a shed.
