Depending on when you are reading this, and what news stories you have been following, the economy is probably in poor condition. It is worse sometimes than other times, but the first quarter of 2011 does not look good by anyone’s standards on either side of the political mainstream. We have gone through a housing crisis, due in large, to a banking crisis due to poor policies, dating back several administrations, and those poor policies were based on poor policies several administrations before, and so on.
No matter what goes on in Washington, the lives of the people that our government was meant to serve go on, and most of us have had to cut back in some ways, often pretty severely.
Why bring this up on a site about sheds?
Why do I bring this up on a website about sheds and small buildings? Simple. When things started going down hill with the economy, one of the first things we noticed was that people were beginning to order very large portable buildings, and although it may be a sad commentary on the state of our economic affairs, the purpose was for living.
Seeing this trend, shed and portable building manufacturers kicked their creative powers into gear and began manufacturing larger versions of their hunting and fishing cabin models, and making other innovations to meet these needs. Many of these converted sheds have more in common with a house than a storage building. The gap between home construction and portable building construction has begun to close, and there are many people living in very nice, albeit small utility building structures until such time as economic conditions improve. We have re-engaged the innovative spirit that brought us through our most difficult times, and which will bring us through this one.
Larger utility sheds built on site
Many shed manufacturers will build a larger version of their product on site, and that for a fraction of the cost of standard home construction. Some will even do the plumbing and electrical work, as well as insulation and drywall, and when it is done, you have a nice little bungalow.
Dried in
Most storage sheds and utility buildings are shipped or built in what would be the “dried in” phase of construction. That means that they are the shell of a living space, and the work remaining to make the space livable is all on the inside of the structure. Many people choose to do this work themselves. I would caution anyone who plans to do this, to check local building codes, and get any permits required before starting such a project, and to leave the electrical work to a licensed electrician.
It may be difficult, but it can be done, and when we get through this crisis, and the belt tightening days are over, you will still have a nice little cottage that you can use for other purposes, or rent to someone else for extra income.
To learn more about using sheds for living, and converting sheds into usable living space, see:
