This Is How to Move a Shed Properly

Have you found the perfect shed, but you’re not sure how to get it home? Or maybe you already own a shed you love, but it’s on the wrong side of your property.

The good news is, it’s absolutely possible to move a shed to a new location. It’s a task that requires careful planning and hard work. But by breaking it down into achievable steps, you can move almost any shed.

Tools and Materials to Move a Shed

You’ll need tools for three distinct stages: prepping, lifting and transporting. These apply to most sheds, regardless of how they’re constructed. However, your specific shed may require a tool not listed.

Prepping

• Precision demolition tools like thin-blade saws and pry bars, which do as little damage as possible;
• Nails or screws;
• Furring strips or scrap wood to use as reinforcement;
• Reciprocating saw, if the shed is bolted to its current foundation.

Lifting

• Floor or bottle jacks.

Transporting

• Plywood sheets or planks;
• Ratchet straps;
• Transport method: Pallet jack, furniture dolly, PVC tubes or heavy machinery;
• Helpers.

Assess the Shed

Examine the shed carefully to learn what the structure can handle. Push and pull on it to see how much it gives. If it can’t handle the stresses of the move, you’re better off knowing now.

If the shed is in poor condition, consider disassembling it and rebuilding in the new location.

This is also the time to consider challenges posed by the size of the shed. Moving a 2-ft. by 2-ft. garden closet is vastly different from moving a 12-ft. by 12-ft. shed.

Assess the Shed Route

Look at the route you plan to take. Is the ground smooth or uneven? Will you need a truck to take it across town, or is the shed simply moving across your yard? Is the route flat or sloping? A slight downward slope makes life easier; a steep one can result in a runaway shed.

Look for overhead obstructions like utility lines and tree limbs. Compare their height to that of the shed, plus whatever transport method you might use.

Plan the Shed Transport

Decide how to make the actual move. If you have a small to medium-sized shed and relatively smooth ground, you could use a pallet jack, furniture dollies and a series of PVC tubes to roll it across wooden supports or even bare earth. Larger sheds may require a garden tractor or skid steer.

The larger the shed and the more uneven the ground, the more creative solution you’ll need. It typically takes at least two people — say, you and a helper — to transport a shed. Particularly tricky moves may require four or more.

Prep the Shed Destination

Once you’ve got a plan, prepare the destination. Set a proper base so you can simply deliver the shed to its new home. Depending on your preferences and style of shed, this may require pouring a concrete slab, or laying gravel and treated lumber.

Empty the Shed and Remove Excess Weight

If the shed is old and infrequently used, you never know what you’ll find. Homeowners discovered everything from family heirlooms to explosives tucked away in old sheds!

Once it’s empty, remove anything that’s too damaged to make the trip, or can be temporarily taken out to reduce weight. A water-damaged roof may be torn off before transport, while doors can often be removed and reattached at the new site, making for a lighter load.

Use precision tools for this task. Thin-blade saws and pry bars cause less damage than standard demo tools. If the shed is bolted to the foundation, you may need to remove the bolts, or cut them out with a reciprocating saw.

Reinforce the Frame

Most sheds need a little help to withstand the side-to-side and twisting forces they’ll experience on the trip. Increase the odds of your shed reaching the new site intact by nailing additional supports on a diagonal across the walls and/or ceiling, and cross-brace window and door openings.

Another option: Wrap the exterior with ratcheting tie-downs, as if you were putting metal rings around a wooden barrel.

Lift the Shed

Sheds are often set on treated-lumber skids that rest on a concrete or crushed gravel base. If that’s the case, you could slip a jack directly beneath the shed to lift one edge of the structure.

Once you’ve raised the shed, slip the palette jack, PVC tubes or other transport device beneath it.

Some sheds may benefit from additional plywood or skids beneath them to distribute their weight during the move.

Move the Shed

If you’re using a pallet jack or furniture dollies, roll the shed across the route as a helper relocates plywood in front of you. If using PVC pipe, your helper will do the same, but with lengths of PVC.  (This is similar to moving a hot tub.) And if using a skid steer or tractor, let the equipment do the work.

Take your time! Keep an eye out for unexpected obstructions. If something does go wrong, back off and troubleshoot rather than attempting to push through.

Load Shed on Vehicle

If you’re transporting the shed to a distant location, you’ll need to load it onto a truck. Select one with a lift gate if you can. If not, you can load small sheds on a metal access ramp. Always take proper precautions while the shed is tipped at an angle. Here are a few tips to build a ramp for your shed.

For larger sheds, arrange for a forklift or crane to load it onto a vehicle. Depending on the width of the shed, you may need a flatbed truck.

Be aware: An oversized load may require a permit for transport over public roads or highways. The regulations vary by state. This site provides an overview on requirements by state, but always verify details with your local authorities.

Reset the Shed

This is the easiest part of the job. Because you prepped the destination in advance, simply set the shed onto its new base, check for level and adjust as needed.

Reassemble the Shed

This is where that precision demo pays off. Individual parts will go back together with a minimum of fuss. Replace any damaged sections and enjoy your shed in its new location!