Building a Shed

[shin]

I've been thinking of building a shed.

Wondering what would go into putting down a foundation for it with stilts, thought I'd ask around.

Frost line in PA I hear is anywhere from 30-44 inches. Going to call the borough and find out if someone knows what it is local, and if any permits are required.

Wondering what my options are tool wise for hole digging?

Any folks out there able to help with some info?

[beowoulf90]

Why dig holes if you want it on piers/stilts? If you want it to be permanent, then dig in your piers.
But if it doesn't need to be a permanent structure, then just get the concrete piers and set the shed/ build the shed on them.
The piers are available from any of the building supply stores.
Anyway you have a few options for digging the holes.
1. hand dig with a shovel and a "clamshell" post hole digger
2. Rent a power post hole digger from a local rental company, this could be something that looks like a "jack hammer" but is a hand held auger.
3. See if any of your neighbors has a post hole digger (auger) for their tractors. talk to them and see what they would charge you to do it.
4. Hire some local kids to do the "hard" work..

Hope that helps. Oh if you are anywhere close to York County, you will need to go through rock..

[Cabin Fever]

How big a shed are you talking about? Most garages and many cabins in Minnesota are built on what's called "floating slabs." The outside perimeter of the poured concrete floors are considered the foundation. This perimeters go into the ground about 18".

If you're talking about a garden shed. It doesn't need footings. Our 12x12 garden shed sits on top of 9 concrete blocks. The blocks sit on the ground.

[motdaugrnds]

I cannot offer information/suggestions without knowing what that shed is going to be used for. Also, you need to know how deep the bedrock is as attempting to go thru rock for your holes will be quite frustrating...ask me how I know!

The one thing I know I would NOT do is build a shed onto a "floating slab" of concrete. It will move whether you want it to or not. If you are wanting a concrete "slab" as a foundation, then consider putting some good "lips" on the sides.

[shin]

Put that a little poorly perhaps. Meant the pole in the ground type of foundation.

You're doing fine with 12x12 Cabin Fever? Where are you at?

Land here is so naturally rolly polly I feel like it'll move in a minute, and this house has settled some too over the 80-100 years it's been here, but maybe I am over planning it. I do want it to stay level.

I like the hand held auger idea. While there're plenty of loose stones around here, I think the moles have well aerated the soil to make up for it.

[shin]

Could just keep the riding mower, bike, garden equipment and various finds on the curb for projects in it like windows such. Could put a tub and some windows on it and make it more gazebo like. I seem to have a lot of muscle pains now that I'm getting older, to the point where I can't do some things at times and have to waste time, be right nice to have a tub of a size I actually fit in.

Tub be nicer in the house of course, but no place for it on the first floor, and not sure about weight and structural support on the second. It always surprises me how much a cubic foot of water weighs.

Just exploring ideas at this point and what it would take to practically do it. I like the idea of the project.

[Deleted]

Lay a thick bed of gravel on top of the ground for good drainage. Level it off. Lay 4X6 skids on the gravel, construct your shed on the skids.

[Cabin Fever]

This is what ohboy is describing.


And, this is pretty much what we did for our garden shed foundation.

[shin]

Thanks a lot fellas! I like both ideas. Don't want to provide a little home away from home for all the critters underneath so I'd just have to fill it in a little more.