The Best Garden Sheds for Real Estate Value

Want to increase your property value for minimal cost?

Think garden sheds. With the garden shed market exploding and homebuyers more in need of outdoor storage than ever, this is a great time to build.

However…

Not all garden sheds add value to a property. Some can even decrease it. Before you get started, let's get on the same page about buyer expectations.

What you'll discover:

• Why Homebuyers Need Garden Sheds

• Shed ROI: Actual Numbers

• Shed Types For Highest Value

• Buyer Desires: Shed Features That Matter

• Mistakes That Cost Money

Why Homebuyers Need Garden Sheds

Storage is at the top of the list when it comes to homeowner frustrations and requirements.

Buyers searching for their next home consider additional storage essential (75% of buyers). Literally every closet and cabinet and inch of available space. It's that important.

The reason is simple. Most homes lack adequate storage space for the stuff that modern families own. Lawn and garden equipment, tools, outdoor furniture, grills, sports equipment, seasonal decorations – the list goes on.

Where do all these things go? Well, if the home itself doesn't have sufficient storage, people just start creating more where they can.

Garage expansions, built-in closet systems, finishing basements, attic conversions – it's an endless list of home upgrades that a) cost money and b) might not even be possible on a given property.

When a homebuyer finds a property with quality workshop garden sheds already in place, it makes a huge difference.

Not only does it provide tons of additional storage space, but the shed solves a problem for the buyer ahead of time. Instead of them worrying about storage space when they move in, it's already been addressed.

Bonus points for sheds that are multi-purpose. Bonus bonus points if it can serve as a home office. More on this later.

ROI For Sheds: Actual Numbers

What exactly does a well-built garden shed do for home value? What kind of returns are we talking here?

We've rounded up some numbers from industry experts for some context.

A quality garden shed built for both function and appearance can increase home value by 1-2%. That's before you factor in any alternative uses for the shed space. Add a home office, art studio, guest room, or some other living space, and those numbers jump to $10k – $15k+.

On a home valued at $300k, that's an increase of $3k – $6k just from a good garden shed. If it adds living space too, that $15,000+ number is well within reach.

The Caveat To All These Numbers

Remember what we said earlier about not every garden shed adding value? It's true. Quality matters.

Cheap prefabricated sheds on spindly metal frames that have seen better days actually decrease a property's value.

Here's a quick list of features of quality garden sheds for sale.

• Good materials and construction

• Complementing the style of the home

• Built on a solid foundation

• Proper permits pulled before construction

Types of Garden Sheds for Highest Value

The first obvious distinction to make is between types of sheds. What is your target buyer's primary need and interest when it comes to sheds? What types of structures are known for commanding the highest values?

Storage Sheds: The obvious answer. Need a place to keep your mowers, tools, bikes, outdoor gear? A storage shed gets you that without taking up any living space in the home. Buyers respond well to dedicated storage for this stuff.

Workshop Sheds: DIYers, hobbyists, makers, craftsmen – all of these buyers love a nice workshop space they can call their own. From wood shops to pottery studios to art rooms, a shed with electricity, proper lighting, ventilation, and any other requirements of the hobby will be a huge selling point.

Garden Sheds: Less on the functionality and more on the style. Garden sheds are as much decorative landscaping features as storage spaces. Focal points for buyers who love gardening. Bonus points for including things like potting benches, tool storage, gardening-related décor, and organization features.

Multi-Purpose Sheds: Often doubling as home offices, art studios, yoga spaces, guest rooms, or some other living space, multi-purpose sheds give you the most bang for your buck. With the current explosion of remote work, many homebuyers place a premium on having separate dedicated space for their at-home office.

Key Shed Features That Matter to Buyers

Size is only one consideration when it comes to quality garden sheds for sale that will appeal to buyers.

The other stuff? Well, these are the areas where many sellers fumble the ball and do themselves and their bank accounts a disservice.

Matching Aesthetics: Make sure your shed fits with the style and color scheme of your home. Doesn't matter if you love that neon orange prefab shed next to your colonial. You lose buyers. Go with materials, colors, and architectural details that blend with the house.

Concrete Foundation: A shed on a concrete foundation is a permanent structure. Those on skids or blocks are considered movable accessories. There's less value in a movable accessory than a permanent structure included in the property appraisal.

Permits and Paperwork: When a buyer has their home inspected before purchase, they'll uncover unpermitted work that needs to be dealt with. At a minimum, they'll require you to get permits. Worst case, they'll require you to deconstruct and relocate the shed at your own cost. Don't be this seller.

Quality Construction: Buyers can tell quality in the materials, workmanship, and weather resistance of a structure. Take pride in every detail. This is a long-term investment for the homeowner.

Electrical Access: Adding electrical power to your shed opens up a ton of possibilities – lights, outlets, heating and cooling, and more. Build with this in mind. It's worth the extra asking price.

Don't Make These Shed Mistakes

Let's go a step beyond the must-haves and get into the biggest shed missteps we see homeowners make before listing.

Build Your Shed First, Check Zoning Second: Zoning laws differ by municipality on everything from minimum lot sizes to setback distances from property lines to shed height limits to permit and inspection requirements. It's not a good situation to put your shed up only to learn you've broken a law and need to take it down or relocate it.

Location, Location, Location: This phrase is still true for sheds. Putting it in a spot that looks awkward, disrupts flow in your yard, or blocks other important features like a focal point is going to decrease its value and overall impact.

Take Care of Maintenance: Rotting wood, peeling paint, loose shutters, broken gutters – all of these things scream "buyer beware" and suggest this shed is going to be a headache for the next homeowner. You don't want that. Keep up with maintenance.

Quality Matters: We said it earlier. Don't try to save money on the materials and construction of your shed. What you save will be lost in the value it fails to add to your property.

Know Your Market: You might love a certain style of garden shed. Doesn't matter if the rest of your market doesn't. Research your local market to find out what buyers want before building anything.

Final Thoughts

Smart home sellers and investors looking to increase their property value in an affordable way should be looking at garden sheds.

There is a demand for quality structures to meet the modern buyer's need for more storage and flexibility in their homes. Building the right shed is a way to meet that need and generate a profit for years to come.

Take the time to research and make sure you're building something that matches your property and appeals to your target market.

You're not just putting up a building out back. You're creating real value that will pay dividends in the future.