How to Run a Storage Shed Business

Business Overview:

Consider learning how to run a storage shed business if you have an eye for design, love the outdoors and are looking to start a smart part-time business. Storage sheds, also called garden sheds, are typically single-level one-room structures used to store lawn and garden equipment. A back yard shed can also be used as a workshop or a place to work on a hobby like sewing or scrapbooking. There are so many options for storage sheds today that there is simply no excuse for any homeowner to have an unsightly shed in his or her backyard. Sheds can be custom-built or sold in kit form to be assembled and installed by the homeowner. However, assembly and installation is not always a simple task; many homeowners will gladly pay a professional to handle these tasks. Since you will be purchasing your sheds and shed kits directly from wholesalers and manufacturers, you will receive a large discount. You will then sell your sheds to your customers at a marked-up rate and also offer assembly and installation services for an additional charge. Business ideas like this one work best with a website showing all the models you sell so the customers have a good idea of what the finished product will look like. You could also offer a display area if you have the property to showcase the sheds. Offer sheds in different styles, sizes and price points to fit the needs of a wider range of customers. Some people may just need a small shed to keep their lawn mower and gardening equipment dry; others may need a larger, air-conditioned/heated space to use as an art studio. The more flexible you are with your inventory, the more clients you will attract. Market your business by distributing flyers at local home improvement stores, lawn and garden centers and lawn mower repair shops. You may also hand out flyers door-to-door in your area targeting neighborhoods with large back yards. Once business picks up, you’ll need to hire a staff to help keep up with demand and consider taking your business full-time.

A Day in the Life of a Storage Shed Business Owner:

You will start your day by reviewing your appointments. You or your staff will meet your customers at their houses with the pre-made shed or a shed kit they ordered and assemble it. You will spend a portion of your day reviewing new models, talking with distributors and placing orders. You will also look for new ways to market your business. If you have a display set up, you’ll want to have you or a staff member on site to help show the sheds to your customers.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will typically be homeowners who need a storage shed to house various items in their backyards.

What You Need to Start:

• Familiarity with storage shed kits, assembly and installation (or you can hire a staff to do all the work for you)
• Website
• Truck to transport sheds and equipment to job sites
• Staff (optional)
• Display area (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Sheds offer homeowners an inexpensive way to add storage space to their home so many people look to purchase them.
• Sheds come in all shapes and sizes and can be marketed as storage for a variety of items which makes your target market fairly large.
• You can charge top dollar for assembly and installation services.
• You can easily run this business part-time.
• You can start out running this business solo and add personnel as demand grows.

The Bad:

• This is likely a seasonal business if you live in a Northern climate as most people won’t buy storage sheds in the cold weather months.
• Storage shed assembly can be hard work.

Resources:

• National Gardening Association
• Professional Landcare Network
• Garage and Storage Shed Trends in the U.S. Report
• Wikipedia on Sheds

About The Author

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