A Solid Base

• Preparing the soil on which the shed will sit is crucial to the longevity and stability of the structure. The area should be excavated to a depth that will allow for a 4-inch layer of finely crushed gravel. All weeds and rocks should be removed, the soil leveled and then compacted firmly over the course of a few days, alternating between watering down the area and using a hand tamper or compacting machine.
  
  

Raising Walls and Trusses

• Build your shed walls flat on the ground and then get some help to raise them into place. Spend the time necessary to plumb the walls properly and square the corners, it will save you lots of headaches further down the line. Brace the walls with pieces of lumber temporarily nailed to the wall and extending to a stake in the ground. Before raising trusses onto the top plates of walls, mark the spots on both top plates where the trusses should be placed. This will eliminate trying to measure and mark these spots while trying to balance a large and heavy roof truss.
  
  

Time Savers

• Take the time to make a complete materials and tools list for the job. Then have everything on hand before you start, trips to the store greatly delay a project. Buy or rent a nail gun, and you will be amazed at how much faster you can assemble the shed than with a hammer. If possible, build the shed in dimensions that are multiples of 4 or 8 feet. This will eliminate the need for many cuts with a saw, since lumber and sheathing is typically sold this way.