Building a Shed for Man Cave

[theking23]

Hi,

I'm new here and stumbled across the forum while beginning to make some plans for a project I've been wanting to start soon. I want to build a shed in my backyard to be my man cave. I have a large backyard so I can build it as big as want, but I am a cheapskate so I don't want to spend too much money :).

Here's what I'm looking to have:
TV
Music/Surround Sound/Speakers
Couch
Fridge/Mini Fridge (depending on which one I have room for)
AC/Heat


Any tips? Anyone built a man cave in a shed before? Anyone built a shed before?

[Quads]

Couple others have done the same. Either in pre-fab sheds like a Tuff Shed, and or building it from scratch.

Do you have any preference in building something on your own, or are you thinking the pre-fab route?

[theking23]

I was planning on building it myself but I could be convinced to go pre-fab. I figured building it myself would be cheaper, but maybe I'm wrong. I also like the idea that it would be something I built myself. It seems like pre-fab would be easier but are there any pros and cons I'm missing?

[Quads]

Yes, build yourself = slightly cheaper.
Yes, build yourself = pretty straight forward with some basic plans if you have some general carpentry experience.
Yes, build yourself = something you built so you get exactly what you want, a window there, a door here, etc. rather than taking a pre-fab unit.

Probably the biggest challenge would be the roof and getting permits pulled if you need to in your area. Should be pretty straight forward in that you can usually just take your plans down to the county, and have them marked off and away you go. Quite often people get very basic plans approved, then add plumbing / electrical later. There are pros and cons to this though, so understand them before you do.

If it's just a basic 'shed' say the size of a 2 or 3 car garage, then you should be able to find most of what you're looking for as far as plans and design ideas in a few google searches. Of course, you'll then customize them to your liking.

Search the forum as there are a couple of guys who are doing / have done the same thing. Along with picks as they were building with their progress.

How big of a shed are you thinking? And what's your level of comfort with carpentry, framing, concrete, and basic electrical & plumbing?

[theking23]

I'm not too sure yet how big I want it to be. As big as it needs to be to incorporate everything I want I guess. I'm comfortable with carpentry, but I've never done plumbing or electrical wiring. How hard are those? How about the framing and concrete?

[Quads]

You need to have a barn building party.
If you're OK with the carpentry, then perhaps you hire out the foundation / concrete, plumbing and electrical.

[Scuba_Dave]

How big it will be & how comfortable you are with building will decide the DIY aspect
Here anything over 100 sq ft needs a permit
I've been building stuff since I was a kid
I tend to over build, 2x6 walls for more insulation, stronger rafters & floor joists, all plywood - no fallaparticle board or OSB, 16" OC, 3/4" plywood on the roof
My latest addition

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Garage%20April%2009/DSCF5894.jpg

Roofs can be a pain as that's when you need to get angle cuts correctly
You can order premade trusses - you end losing storage space
If just 1 floor I'd consider building one that looks like a barn to get storage space(not mine):

http://www.shedguy.ws/e107_plugins/autogallery/Gallery/BIG%20BARNS/BIG_BARN_SHED.jpg

I'm a Moderator on a DIY site, even with all the building I've done I still ask a lot of questions

http://www.diychatroom.com/