How to Move a Shed: If you aren’t familiar with how to move a shed, it could seem like an insurmountable undertaking. If you are buying a shed and need to transfer it to your house or just want to move an existing shed to a different spot in the yard, this article will help.
How to Move a Shed: Before You Begin
There are several methods for moving a shed, each requiring varying degrees of effort and planning. It’s also critical to inspect the shed before attempting to move it. In cases of extensive structural rot or damage, it may be best to start from scratch.
All sheds, including small sheds, can be heavy and cumbersome. It’s best not to attempt to move a shed without someone else to help, even if you’re using a tractor or a truck.
1. Gather the appropriate equipment.
As previously stated, there are several methods for moving a shed. Shed manufacturers deliver them on flatbed trucks and use motorized dollies to move them around the yard.
Larger sheds can be easily moved by rolling them across a series of pipes on wooden planks. A tractor or truck can pull a chain attached to a “shed sled” made of 6x6s and framing lumber.
A small shed can be moved by attaching long lengths of framing lumber to the sides and lifting it with a team of helpers.
2. Prepare the location where you will move the shed.
Before even budging the shed, it’s important to have its planned location prepped. This means laying a proper foundation. The foundation could be a poured concrete pad, concrete blocks, or a level gravel bed.
Clear the path that the shed will travel to make moving it as easy as possible. If you’ll need to turn the shed during the move, plan the best location to do so before you start moving it. Due to space limitations, you might need to make several small turns.
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3. Prepare the shed for moving.
The shed needs to be as light as possible, so empty everything from the interior before starting to move it. This means your lawn tools, bikes, workshop tools and benches, supplies, and anything else that might’ve piled up inside over the years.
Regardless of the moving method, a shed will tend to rack a bit during moving. To prevent windows from breaking, remove any glass panes beforehand.
If the windows or doors are heavy, removing them also helps reduce the overall weight during the move. Any ramps or steps also should be removed, and if the shed’s frame is bolted or somehow attached to a foundation, detach it.
Fasten 2x4s to the framing on the inside of the shed in a diagonal direction for lateral strength. Add strength by attaching 2x4s in an X pattern to the shed floor, screwing into the floor joists underneath.
If you’re going to lift a smaller shed, you can simply screw 2×4 boards horizontally to the outside of the shed, about 2 feet up from the base of the shed.
Be sure to pay attention to the stud locations inside the shed and screw into them. Ensure that each 2×4 board extends at least 2 feet out from the shed to provide a place to lift.
4. Lift the shed and move it to its new location.
You’ll need to lift the shed with the floor jack to get the moving apparatus underneath it if you’re using a shed sled or rollers.
If the floor jack will not fit under the shed, dig into the soil beneath it until it will. As you lift at each corner, use scrap wood as cribbing to stabilize the shed.
Once the shed is high enough, carefully lower it back down using your preferred moving method. At this point, you can either connect the shed to the towing vehicle with a chain or start rolling the shed across the pipes and planks.
If you’re lifting the shed with attached boards, employ the help of three strong friends. Simply lift at the same time and move the shed to its intended location.
Make sure everyone lifts with their legs and that it’s a coordinated effort to prevent injury and maintain friendships.
5. Secure it there.
You’ll need to secure the shed once it’s in place. In general, this entails dismantling whatever structure you devised to lift and move it.
To access the pipes, planks, or sled, you may need to raise the shed again with a jack. Use the scrap wood as cribbing to keep the shed stable during the construction process.
After that, return the windows and doors to the shed and remove the braces. Reattach any steps or ramps that need to be replaced, and restock your shed with the tools, supplies, and other items you removed earlier.
This is also the time to add landscaping or paint the shed to match the rest of your house.
With these steps, the mystery of how to move a shed should be a bit less perplexing. Whichever method you choose, be sure to work safely, keep the shed stable, and communicate clearly with your helpers. You’ll have the shed in its proper location in no time at all.
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