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What you should know about used garden sheds!

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Deciding To Buy A Used Garden Shed

Should You Buy A Used Garden Shed?

I decided to create this page several months ago, but circumstances would not allow for it. Now that I have gotten started, it turns out to be a very timely subject. Due to factors beyond the control of the average man, lumber has skyrocketed beyond anything we could have imagined, and that is causing a rise in price for all types of buildings that use wood as framing or covering. In short, this is a great time to look into used garden sheds rather than buying or building new ones.

The idea was to build a tool that would bring together all of the information anyone would need to decide:

1. Whether to buy a used building.

2. What type to buy.

3. What to look for when buying a used garden shed.

4. Offer tips for finding and buying them at the best price.

5. Transporting and proper placement of your used garden shed.

6. Doing needed repairs.

7. Maintenance methods and practices.

There are usually many great used sheds on the market, and you want to get the best shed for the fairest price possible. That is pretty much the best reason why you should consider recycling a gently used shed.

Used Shed Buying Tips

Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

I want to do this newspaper-like by offering a sort of summary of the essential elements upfront and giving you some more specific details as we go, so here we go:

Keep in mind that although there may not be a used shed for sale listed in your area from a private seller, there may be sheds for sale from a dealer in your area. Storage building dealers sometimes have used storage sheds for sale, especially if they have a rent-to-own program, so if you can’t find what you are looking for in the classifieds or eBay or Craigslist or on your Facebook Local listings, check with your area dealers for used buildings.

While you may purchase a pre-owned shed from an individual for a fair price, you should be careful to include the cost of transport in the price. A low price coupled with a high cost for moving could equal a not-so-great deal. Ask detailed questions about the shed’s condition. Get photos from all angles if possible before you agree to anything.

Also, dealers may have some slightly damaged buildings for reduced prices, often approaching the discounts for used garden sheds. So even though you may not find a used building you like, you might find a real bargain from a local dealer in a scratched or dented shed.

There are many ways to finance a shed, but the best way is almost always cash. If you are planning to buy a used shed outright, take the cash you have set aside for that purpose along with you. Whether you are buying from a dealer or an individual, cash makes an impression! Saying something like: “Now, how much will you take for the building in cash?” or “I have $XXX.xx to spend, in cash, and that’s all I am willing to pay.” can make a big difference. Here are a few tips on things you should check when taking a physical look at the used storage shed:

  • Initially, take a look at the roof and siding. If there is damage there, there may be more damage inside. We will get to that later.
  • When you walk through the door, check the floor around the entry. This is one of the first areas to exhibit problems if a door doesn’t seal properly, and if it is slightly rotted or spongy, there has probably been a problem before.
  • Check the door itself for proper fit. This may not be a serious problem if the reason for the poor fit is an unlevel building. You are going to move the building, and you will level it on your property.
  • If the building has windows, check for stains around and underneath the window casing. Serious stains or any rot could be signs of poor window seals or problems around the casing.
  • If the roof has had problems, this will probably show up inside. Depending on building type and roof type, it may show itself as stains on rafters or on the decking of the roof or floor.
  • Walk around inside the building a few times; any weakness in the floor should be checked. It could mean rotting floor joists.

The great thing about these problems is that they can be fixed with a minimum of skill and a little effort. Knowing what you are looking at and being able to explain it may help to get you a better price.

Buying Used Garden Sheds From Dealers

It is often possible to purchase a used shed from a dealer, especially from a dealer who offers a rent-to-own program. Sometimes dealers will sell a building using lease purchase. The buyer may decide they no longer need the building, can't afford the building or default on payments. We have seen some cases where the buyer simply decided to " trade up" after a few months. In such cases, dealers will offer the used building to new clients with deep discounts. The longer the building was under contract, the greater the discount in most cases.

Rent-to-own sheds can usually be returned without problems if the need arises. If the building has been on the contract for a long time when it is returned, most dealers will sell the building for an amount close to what was owed on the building. This can be a very good deal for the consumer lucky enough to come across it.

One advantage of buying used sheds from a dealer is that the dealer can move the building professionally. The cost of hiring someone to move your building purchased from an individual may be high enough to make what seems to be a good deal far less valuable. When you purchase from a utility building company, moving costs may be negotiable if you don't mind a little haggling. There is another option for bargain-basement building prices: Scratch and dent.

Scratch And Dent Sheds From Dealers

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Some economy buildings may be available to you directly from dealers, which will save you as much as you could save on a used building. Most dealers call these specials "scratch and dent". When searching for bargains, remember this often untapped resource: In the day-to-day operation of a utility building lot, there are incidents that lead to minor damage. Dealers will often offer these buildings as " scratch and dent" buildings at very reasonable discounts.

In most cases, the damage is minor and often cosmetic. After a hail storm or a few days of very high wind, there may be high numbers of buildings like this available. It is to the dealer's advantage to sell them off and move new ones in so the prices can drop significantly. In cases of severe damage, the repair work needed may be extensive, but if you have some skill with tools and know what you are looking at, the price can be amazingly low. In short, it is worth your trouble to call dealers in your area to see what they might have. With such buildings, their price and delivery fees may be negotiable.

New sheds and the season

There are some great deals to be had from folks selling used sheds. There are some great deals available from dealers selling repossessed or damaged sheds. Still, there are also some great deals from dealers selling new sheds. The purpose of this site is to help people who want to buy a used shed, but just in case there are more buyers than sellers, we decided to add some new shed information.

Your search for a used shed may lead you to a dealer who carries used sheds along with his new stock, and there is a good chance that some of his new buildings may be a great bargain as well. Sometimes a dealer will become overstocked and need to sell down his merchandise to get ready for the newest models. If it is the slow time of year, usually the fall and winter months, dealers may lower their prices or at least be willing to negotiate. With either of these situations and especially when the two collide, the opportunities for buyers to find real bargains are high.

Material suppliers may come down on material prices in slow times. Portable building builders need to keep their crews working and hate to see a manufacturing facility set idle. Dealers need to keep their sales staff working, and this can add up to some unbeatable prices. Shed suppliers may or may not be able to come down a lot from the asking price on the building itself. Still, they may come down on the delivery price or the cost of options and accessories. In short, it is up to you to break the ice on the negotiations. It never hurts to make an offer and haggle a little overpriced. New storage sheds are one of the few new commodities on the market today on which dealers are willing to horse trade.

New Sheds: Getting a Great Deal

Some new sheds can be purchased for about the same price as used sheds. This depends on several factors, including the season of the year, the market, the dealer, and how much you are willing to haggle. Read the rest of this section for some tips on how to get a great deal on new or used sheds. By nature, the number of used sheds on the market at any time is limited. Still, there is an almost unlimited number of new storage buildings in production. Some of them will end up being sold as used sheds someday, but what you want may not be available at the time you need it. The good news is that you may not have to wait on a used shed to get a great deal!

Used sheds and how dealers get them

Many dealers have used sheds for sale. Many pre-owned sheds come from dealer stock sold through rent-to-own programs and then either returned or repossessed. These will vary in cost. In most cases, this depends on how long they rented them. The longer the building was out, the lower the cost. These portable sheds were once new sheds, and the dealer will have new sheds in stock, and some of these buildings may offer real value.

New sheds for bargain prices

There are dealers who have economical new storage buildings for sale, which rival the prices of used portable buildings. If you don't find the used building you want for the price you want to pay, new sheds may be cheaper than you expect, and you can often run across some real bargains in this market.

New sheds: getting a great deal

Before you buy a shed in a different size or color than you prefer, it would be wise to check a few dealers out. When you do this, don't be shy. Ask about discounts, coupons, and specials. They may be offering special unannounced discounts, and you may never know about these discounts unless you ask. What you need is a strategy.

A garden shed buying strategy

Go into any storage shed negotiations knowing what you want, what you might be willing to compromise on, and how much you are willing to spend. You should know how you are going to pay and be ready to take action at the moment you find your " just right" utility building. Here is a little tip: Determine the price of the building, and then ask what the cash price would be. Then be ready to lay that cash on the table when the price gets low enough. You would probably be surprised how accommodating shed dealers can become at the sight of money or the visible presence of a checkbook. By the way, this also applies to used storage buildings.

Used Garden Shed Repairs And Maintenance

Repairs

When you buy a used storage shed, there may be a few things that you need to do to bring it up to tip-top condition. If there are things that need repair, it is best to do it early on, before you start to put the building into use. This page is a general guide to used shed repairs, and it assumes a certain amount of familiarity with the tools and techniques to do the job. It is not too complicated for the average person.

Floors

Let's start from the bottom: If the floor is sagging a little in spots, it is probably just sagging between the floor joists. If it is really severe, it could be a problem with one or more of the floor joists themselves.

Floor joist repair

Hopefully, you thought to check this before purchasing the building, but if not, all is not lost. Try to get a good look at the underside of the building while it is loaded on the trailer. This may be the best chance to check. If there are any serious problems like termite damage or broken joists, you may want to replace them before you get the building loaded down with stuff. If the building is small enough you may be able to work one end in place and then work the other in place from the outside. This is somewhat dependent on how the skids are placed. Attach at both ends, and then to the flooring from inside.

Flooring repair

If the joists are not damaged, but the floor sags between them, you can either replace the existing plywood with new material or add new flooring over the top of the existing plywood. Be sure that your new flooring does not interfere with the operation of the door.

Walls

There will probably be few problems with the walls, but if you need to replace some damaged siding, now would be a good time to do it. This is a pretty straightforward process that requires yiou to remove the existing damaged piece and replace it with a new one. Be sure to get materials that match the existing materials. Check the walls for loose fasteners. If nails, you may need to replace some, get the right size, and caulk and paint the nail hole. If screws are used firm them up snugly, being sure not to strip the threads by over-tightening.

Frames

Frame structures rarely present any problems. There may be splits, or water-damaged floor plates or uprights but once again, it is simply a matter of replacing anything that is damaged.

Openings

Doors and windows can be problem areas. Look for discoloration around the openings. A little caulk can solve most problems. In some cases flashing around windows or doors may need to be straightened or replaced to keep the water out. To do this, you may need to remove a couple of siding pieces, but it will be worth the trouble to prevent water damage. Check the floor around the door for weakness and replace any areas that have suffered from water damage.

Roof

Roofing is the place where most used shed repairs are needed. Check for areas that may have leaked in the past. Look for signs like discoloration on the roof rafters and joists. If you find a problem, there may be some damage on the top.

Metal roofs

With metal roofs, this can simply be a loose screw allowing water to seep through. Check for rust through, and if a section needs to be replaced, replace it. If it is simply loose, remove the screw, add a drop of silicone sealer to the hole, and replace the screw by tightening it firmly, but not so tight that you risk stripping the threads.

Composite roofs

On a composite roof, look for loose or missing shingles and replace whatever you need to replace. It may often be easier to simply re-roof the whole thing. Be sure to nail only through the top part of each shingle which will be covered by the next row, and add drip flashing to the edges.

Shed repairs and maintenance

Used shed repairs at the beginning will help to preserve your building, especially when followed up with good shed maintenance practices. To learn more about shed maintenance stay tuned!

Used Garden Shed Maintenance

Like a new building, a used shed will benefit from maintenance and consistent scheduled maintenance practices. Yes, I said scheduled maintenance practices. This is not as complex as that phrase may sound. Scheduling the few maintenance items required to keep your building in good usable condition is a means of simplifying your life.

Maintenance for all used shed types

Check to make sure that the building is level and plumb. Check it with a long builders level, and if the bubble is not in the center, you will need to either jack the building up and add a shim or drive a shim in the place or places where it is low. Please take all reasonable precautions when doing this. Sticky doors and windows may be a sign that the building needs an adjustment. Checking this only takes a few minutes, and most adjustments take under an hour. Do this once a year. It is time well spent. Check all openings. Look at the floor around the door for signs of moisture problems. If it is damp, spongy, or stained from water, the door probably needs some work with weatherstripping or an adjustment. Check the window casing for similar symptoms. The solution could be as simple as a bead of caulk.

Maintenance for used metal sheds

If your building is metal, that probably means that it is steel. Most steel buildings don't require much maintenance, but even they can benefit from some attention to detail. Check for rust spots and deal with them appropriately by removing the rust and applying primer and matching paint to the area. Check for loose fasteners and any loose sheet metal screws. Tighten loose fasteners should carefully so as not to strip them out. A quick fix for stripped-out wood screws is to finding an appropriate size sliver of wood and driving it into the hole until it is tight and then resetting the screw. It should cut new threads into the new wood and tighten it up. Remove leaves and other such materials from the roof, and clean the building with water and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaners! Be sure to rinse thoroughly. You will probably not need to do this more than once or twice a year.

Maintenance for used wooden sheds

Wooden sheds require a little more work. Include all the applicable things from the metal building list, and add these: Check for joints that need caulk or wood filler, and apply them accordingly. If the building is sealed with wood sealer, clean it, allow it to dry, and seal it with an appropriate wood sealer about once a year or every 18 months. If the building is painted, clean and remove all paint chips and flakes and paint it with appropriate exterior paint.  Do this about once a year or every 18 months. Maintenance for other used shed types For most other building types, follow the applicable directions for wood or metal buildings.

Simple shed maintenance scheduling

No matter which type of building you buy, do these things, and it will increase the usable life of your building. We suggest that you put your used shed maintenance on a schedule. Just write it on your calendar as a reminder, and then when that time approaches, get whatever materials you need, and get out there and do it!

Used Shed Materials

Sheds are built with a number of different materials, therefore, used shed materials will probably be those materials most common to the market. There are advantages and disadvantages to all shed material types. Most sheds are built with wood or steel. Other types are available but less frequently used, so we will concentrate on these as they are the most common types most likely to be available.

The advantages of steel:

Steel is almost maintenance-free. It is very strong and durable. Steel will not swell and rot when exposed to moisture. Most modern steel buildings have a 30 year or longer warranty against rust-through. Steel siding comes in a wide variety of colors (when buying used sheds, you may not get your exact color choice), so it can match almost anything you need to match. Some homeowner associations persist in their reluctance to accept steel buildings. This may be a problem in some situations.

The advantages of wood:

As mentioned, wood may be needed for places with homeowner associations. Wood may suit and match your home and landscape better than steel. If the building is to be painted, there are near innumerable colors from which to choose. Wood can be easily patched and repaired without breaking the bank. The chief problem with wooden sheds is that they require a bit more maintenance. They should be checked at least every 18 months and painted or sealed if needed.

Choosing the right used shed material.

Which one is right for you? Well, that is a question you will have to answer for yourself. It depends largely on your specific need and your specific location. If you live in a damp location where wood would be apt to absorb a lot of moisture, or if near maintenance-free durability is your main concern, steel may be your best choice. Suppose you live in an area with normal humidity and are seeking to 1. Match a wooden structure or 2. A wooden structure would better match your landscape, or 3. If you need a color that is not readily available in steel siding, or 4. If you have a picky homeowners association, wood might be your best choice.

Another Option For Garden Sheds

Built onsite steel buildings are also a great option for the homeowner in the midst of high lumber prices! An engineered steel building could be a highly competitive solution to your building needs!


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