How to Build a Shed in 3 Days

First, you've got to have a place to put it... this 200 acre parcel in Modoc County ought to do.

I'll buy it!






Next, pick a useful spot, like this little clearing near the apple and poplar trees. A neighbor who stopped by said these apple trees were old when he moved to the area in 1945. But they're still making apples, so look for a cider-press party next fall.

Restlessly hang out until the guy from the local sawmill delivers your lumber.

But you still can't get started til this second delivery pulls up with a few key items.

Make sure he puts them in the right spot!

Get a guard dog to protect the pile of materials...

And finally, it's time to get started. Since you don't know whether or not your new land floods in this particular spot, let's start with some elevation. Side benefit: shed will be draggable if we decide this wasn't the right place to put it.

Put in the floor joist...

...and the floor.

One wall...

                    ... a second wall...

                                    ... a third...

                                                            ... and the fourth...

Time for a break? Not yet! Let's get some particle board and a roof on that thing before nightfall.

Time for a beer and a solar shower at the creek.

Day Two: Wrap the whole thing in felt paper,

and start adding that beautiful siding cut from Modoc County trees.

We're having a little Saturday night gathering to celebrate the new purchase, so maybe time to start tidying up the cooking area.

Siding boards complete and now on to the batten. And maybe clean up that junk pile out front.

I'm loving this wood - in some of the siding you can see the shape of the tree's inner core.

Must admire the clear blue sky and fall leaves during a short break.

Ready for guests just in time for sunset.

Gotta post one more picture of the pretty board and batten siding first, though!

We forgot to take pictures at the party but our guests took this one of me and Joel - and Allie. Sore but showered. Now time for some of the good wine and get to know a few of the neighbors.

Day Three: Install the door -

- stain every inch of the exterior... until you run out of stain. Joel had to leave at noon so this part was all mine. Hopefully, it dries nice and clear so you can still see the wood grains below. My back isn't used to all this activity and at some point, I realized I wasn't going to be able to sit in the car for the 6-hour drive home that day. I decided to stay an extra night.

Moonrise - one day shy of full. The mountains on that side of Surprise Valley are the Hays Range in Nevada.

And sunrise the following morning with sun lighting up the Warners to the West.

One of my wonderful new neighbors came by with his chainsaw and a helper and between us we cleared the dry brush around the pretty new shed.

All in all - 3 days to build, 1 day to stain and clean up, $2,400 in materials. Pride of ownership for the first structure I've ever owned on the first land I've ever owned - Priceless.